If you are considering breast reduction surgery, you’ve probably done a lot of research about the procedure, but it’s also important to plan for recovery. It’s therefore advisable to consult with your plastic surgeon regarding what’s the recovery time for a breast reduction, and find out what to expect during the different stages of recovery.
What’s the recovery time for a breast reduction?
It typically takes 1-2 weeks to recover from breast reduction, but patients are generally able to go back to work after one week. However, these are only general estimates, and in order to ensure optimal recovery, patients are advised to carefully follow the post-operative instructions of their plastic surgeon.
What is the typical recovery experience like after breast reduction?
Most patients are able to return home the day of surgery, but there is usually a lot of swelling and bruising around the breasts. The breasts will also be sore and tender. A compression garment is normally fitted after surgery to help minimize swelling.
Patients will need to get support from family members or friends in the days immediately following surgery, as they may find moving around difficult. Light activities can be resumed after a few days. However, heavy lifting and exercising should be avoided for at least 6 weeks, as strenuous activity could stress the incisions.
Patients should schedule follow-up sessions with their plastic surgeon at regular intervals, to ensure that they are healing as expected during recovery.
Would you like to learn more about recovery after breast reduction?
If you are in the Newport Beach and the greater Orange County, CA areas, contact board certified plastic surgeon Tenley K. Lawton M. D. for a consultation.
You can reach Dr. Lawton at www.lawtonmd.com, or by calling (949) 835-4617.