What should I expect after having breast reduction surgery?

Immediately after breast reduction surgery, gauze is placed over the incisions and the breasts are wrapped in an elastic bandage or supported with a special surgical bra. In some cases, there may be a small tube in each breast to help drain blood and fluid for the first couple of days. Stitches may be removed in 1 to 2 weeks.

Most women have some breast pain for the first few days after surgery and then milder discomfort for a week or longer. Medicine can help relieve the pain. Swelling and bruising may last for several weeks. Wearing a surgical bra 24 hours a day can help reduce swelling and support the breasts while they heal.

You will likely resume your normal work and social activities within a couple of weeks, unless those activities involve heavy lifting or strenuous exercise. You may need to avoid more vigorous exercise and activities for 3 to 4 weeks or more. It's important to wear a bra that supports the breasts well, such as a sports or athletic bra.

You will have visible scars on your breasts after breast reduction surgery. These are almost always in areas that can be covered by a bra or swimsuit. Scars may fade over time, but they will not disappear.

After your breast reduction surgery, the patient should expect immediate relief of the enormous weight of tissue that weighs on the back area. Mild to moderate pain may be reduced with ice compression and pain medications (Norco, vicodin). We use a 7mm Jackson-Pratt drain overnight to remove small amounts of blood and serous fluid. Dressings are changed the next day and the patient is placed in a DrLinderBra. Instructions include: no lifting for 4 weeks, antibiotics for 7 days, no changing the dressings the first week, and sleep elevated at 30 degrees. Sutures are removed on day 14-17.