Blog posts in category "Breast Reduction"
Breast Reduction Risks Increase with Obesity, Age
Feb
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How to Get A Discount on Your Breast Surgery
Feb
Warning: Obesity Can Cause Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes … and Loss of Nipples
Feb
What is the Recovery Process After Breast Reduction?
Dec
Breast Reduction is a surgical procedure to reduce the size of very large breasts. Very large breasts, or macromastia, may cause neck, back, and shoulder pain. Reducing the volume yet enhancing the appearance of your breasts is possible with surgery. Recovery after surgery is surprisingly short and not too painful.
Breast Reduction surgery is typically done on an out-patient basis. The procedure takes about 2-4 hours, depending on your individual situation and amount of surgery required. Your recovery depends on the amount of breast tissue that needs to be removed, the amount of tightening performed, and the actual procedure being done, as well as your individual pain tolerance.
The 2 major surgical ways to reduce breast reduction include an “upside down T incision” (inferior pedicle breast reduction), and a “lollipop” incision (vertical limb or vertical mastopexy breast reduction). Your type of surgical approach and incision depends on your breasts, the amount of breast reduction needed, and surgeon preference. There is an increased preference for the “lollipop” incision over the past several years, since it has a slightly less noticeable scar length.
The recovery after breast reduction takes several weeks to months after your procedure. Most of the healing occurs and swelling disappears within the first month or two after your operation, but it takes a total of 6-12 months for all of the healing to complete. It will also take several months for your breasts to “drop” and look more natural, as opposed to the swollen appearance they have right after surgery. Every patient is different, and communicating closely with your plastic surgeon is the best way to have realistic expectations about recovery after your breast reduction.
Your breasts will be swollen and possibly bruised right after surgery. Compression in a surgical bra, icing, rest, and elevation of your chest will all help to lower the amount of swelling and pain you have right after surgery.
Using a pain pump right after surgery will also decreased your pain during your recovery after breast reduction surgery. Pain medicine can be delivered directly into you breast tissue, which gives you a large amount of pain relief directly to the areas of surgery. This usually translates into less pain medication usage after surgery as well.
May patients can start using anti-inflammatories that are not prescription strength several days after surgery. Everyone has a different pain tolerance, so your recovery after surgery may differ.
Most patients in my practice return to office work within 1 week of surgery. Light exercise is possible right after surgery. Vigorous exercise may take 2-4 weeks after breast reduction surgery, because of the need to wait for the skin incisions to fully heal.
Most of my patients will only need antibiotics for several days after surgery to prevent infection. It is not common to need antibiotics for greater than 5 days after a breast reduction surgery in my practice.
You are placed in a surgical compression bra right after your breast reduction procedure. You should wear this type of bra, or a sports bra, for several weeks after surgery to allow the swelling in your breasts to reduce, as well as to maintain an overall aesthetic shape. Your plastic surgeon will generally go over with you when it’s safe to resume wearing a regular bra.
Should you desire more information about my available services, or want to schedule an appointment, please contact my Patient Care Coordinator at info@drkim.com, or call our office at 415-362-1846.
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