Statistics from 2018 show that 43,591 breast reduction surgeries were performed that year. These surgeries have continued unabated and generally have a high success rate.
There are many reasons why a woman may decide to get breast reduction surgery. Some women choose to do this if they are having back and shoulder pain.
Another common reason is the confidence boost that comes from a change in appearance. Either way, most women tend to be happy with the results that they get.
Keep reading to find out how long breast reduction surgery recovery takes for each patient.
How Long Does Breast Reduction Recovery Take?
If you’re considering breast reduction surgery, you may be wondering about recovery. This is a common concern for the majority of women.
You most likely will have to take time off work and need to know what to expect. You may also be worrying about how you will feel after the procedure.
There is no one size fits all, but most patients can expect a similar recovery time. This usually means a 2 to 3-week period to rest after your procedure.
This is the period of time when you will be the most uncomfortable and feel sore. Once you reach the fourth week of recovery, you should be feeling better and have more energy.
You will also need to go back to your surgeon at least one time during this period. They will need to check the incisions to make sure everything is healing correctly.
They may also need to remove stitches or provide additional treatment. These are all things that you should have discussed with your surgeon beforehand.
If you have any questions or concerns, your doctor should be able to set your mind at ease.
What to Expect After Breast Reduction Surgery
A breast reduction procedure may seem intimidating. You may be worried about how you will feel after you come out of the surgery.
The good news is that this is a relatively simple surgery to perform. Complications are usually rare, and most patients have a successful surgery.
You will want to understand what to expect afterward though, so that you can be prepared.
Wound Care
When the time comes to have the surgery, you may feel a bit anxious. This is normal. When you wake up, your chest will feel heavy and will be covered dressings of some sort.
You will be given instructions on how to manage the dressings and how to shower after. There is usually drainage that you will need to clean and keep an eye on.
You may have trouble sleeping for the first few days from discomfort. This can be from general pain or from having all of these bandages.
Also, you shouldn’t be surprised if your drainage system leaks a bit as you sleep.
Some Pain
The majority of people who have gone through breast reduction surgery will have pain. Your incisions will most likely hurt, as well as your entire breast.
Your surgeon will give you prescription pain medication to help with this. You may need this medication for the first week after the surgery to manage the pain.
After about a week, you should not have as much pain. Your incisions may be tender, but they shouldn’t bother you daily.
Make sure you keep an eye on the incisions for anything out of the ordinary. They should remain pink and supple; this shows that they are healing correctly.
If you notice anything out of the ordinary, you need to let your surgeon know immediately. This is especially important if you are experiencing extreme pain.
Limited Movement
You will experience limited movement for the first one to two weeks after your surgery. You will need to be careful and avoid injuring your chest in any way.
You should plan on minimal movement in the upper body for the first few days following the surgery, however, we encourage walking as much as you like. After that, you will need to move around carefully and avoid anything too active.
Most women experience swelling and bruising, which can make moving around uncomfortable. You just have to give this process time. Symptoms will go away within a week or two.
You may even need sleeping medication if you are uncomfortable at night. This can be prescribed by your surgeon, if necessary.
Gradual Healing
Keep in mind that when you undergo breast reduction surgery healing happens gradually. Your recovery time is not going to simply fly by the minute your surgery is over.
By week three, you should be mostly recovered. There should not be any more pain, and you should be able to engage in your daily activities without problems.
Even once the physical symptoms are over though, your body still needs to heal. You still need to be aware of your incisions and keep them safe and clean.
It may take several more weeks before they are completely healed and scarred over. In some rare instances, women may have tenderness from the scars themselves.
Breast Reduction Heal Time
If you are going to have breast reduction surgery, you may not know what to expect. It is a good idea to understand the recovery process.
Most women will be fully recovered within 2 to 3 weeks. The first week is going to be the hardest as you will be the sorest, and movement will be very limited.
Are you ready to schedule your breast reduction surgery? Schedule an appointment online or give us a call at (402) 391-4558 to get started.
