Breast reduction surgery offers women the chance to reduce the size of and reshape their breasts but as with any type of surgical procedure, downtime is something to consider.

When performed by a qualified and experienced surgeon, breast reductions are safe and most patients can heal without experiencing any major complications.

During the surgery, fatty and breast tissue, as well as skin, are removed, without affecting the muscles of the chest. In most cases, patients will only need to take a week off work but a surgical bra will need to be worn for at least 4 to 6 weeks.

To find out more about the actual procedure you can check these breast reduction surgery details & gallery.

Breast Reduction Recovery: What You Can Expect

Following your surgery, you will need to do the following:

• Care for the wounds and dressings as per your surgeon’s instructions
• Take the necessary antibiotics and pain medication
• Avoid strenuous activities, particularly those that include moving and straining the shoulder and chest muscles. While you will be able to do some light activity after your surgery, you will need to wait a month before you get back into your usual routine

During your recovery, your breasts will also be swollen and tender for several weeks and while activity can make any pain worse, pain medication can be used to control this. In most cases, dissolving stitches are used to close the incisions, which means you may not need to schedule an appointment to have your stitches removed. With that being said, you will need to attend a follow-up appointment so that your doctor can evaluate your progress and results.

Any scars will be red, raised and hard until they are fully matured. Your surgeon will provide you with instructions on how to care for and reduce the appearance of your scars.

Things to avoid during your breast reduction recovery include:

• Strenuous physical activity
• Smoking
• Excessive shoulder movement
• Raising your arms above your head

Breast Reduction Surgery Complications

While complications rarely occur, smoking and diabetes can cause complications with your wound healing. If your scars are swollen and discoloured, it could be a sign of a hematoma. If you notice these side effects, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as you possibly can.

It’s also not uncommon for your skin to become dry, itchy and flaky but this is not something you need to worry about. If the itching persists though, it could be a sign of an allergic reaction and medical attention should be sought.

 While you will need to prepare yourself mentally for your recovery, the results of your breast reduction surgery will be well worth it.

Finding a surgeon who takes the time to answer your questions and provide you with all the information you need will also make a massive difference to your recovery process. You should feel completely comfortable with your surgeon before you schedule your breast reduction surgery.