Embarking on the journey towards a more comfortable and confident you through breast reduction surgery can involve a mixture of excitement but also apprehension on what to expect after surgery. Knowing what lies ahead can prepare you for the road to recovery.

Immediate post-surgery

As soon as you wake up from surgery, your breasts will have dressings and you will be helped into a post-surgery compression bra on the ward, if you aren’t wearing one already. Wearing the bra 24/7 will not only provide the essential support for your breasts to heal, but it’ll reduce the pain and swelling in your breasts. During the initial days, you can expect some soreness, swelling and mild discomfort. Your surgeon will provide guidelines on pain management and also when you are allowed to start showering and getting your dressings wet. Some, but not all, surgeons use a drain, which remains overnight and is then removed the next day before your discharge. Prepare extra pillows to place on either side of you in bed. This will help with your comfort as it’ll cushion your breasts when you roll over in your sleep.

Ideally, you should have someone around to give a helping hand with the day-to-day activities during this time. You’ll be able to potter around the house more comfortably by the third day but don’t be tempted to do too much at once. Move slowly, with gentle movements and make sure you eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water. A high protein, high calorie diet is important for your body to heal. You may want to consider a daily multi-vitamin if you’re not keen on fruit and veg.

You should bring any sudden swellings or unusual pain to the attention of your surgeon as this may be an early warning sign that you are developing bleeding in your breast, what’s known as a haematoma. If mild, your surgeon may monitor the situation, but on occasion if the haematoma is large, you may need to have further surgery to remove the haematoma.

Healing over the first few weeks

In the following 1-2 weeks, you can expect the swelling and bruising to settle down. Your first check-up will take place during this time and your surgical wound will be checked. Your wound should be healed by the end of the 2nd week into a scar. Your scar may appear red and raised initially – don’t be alarmed, this is perfectly normal and it will fade and settle with time. Develop a daily routine of scar massage and moisturizing as it’ll pay off in the long run in helping you get the best scar possible. It takes a year for the scar to fade and soften completely. If you have a predilection to bad scarring, you should start applying silicone gel or tape on your scar.

While you’ll need some downtime initially, gradual re-entry into daily activities is on the horizon. Your surgeon will advise when it’s safe to resume light activities. On average, most people start driving at 2 weeks. Light exercise such as a gentle leisurely stroll can start at 2 weeks but if you feel any discomfort during these activities, you should immediately stop and rest as it’s your body’s way of telling you that you’re doing too much. Avoid any overcrowded places as there is a real risk that someone could bump into you and this trauma can cause pain and swelling. If you are normally around any babies or small children, you should arrange alternative care for them as for the same reasons.

Up to 4 weeks

By now, most of your bruising and breast swelling should have settled. You may experience a burning or throbbing sensation as your tissues and nerves heal. This will gradually improve over a few months. 

Gentle light, cardio exercises involving your lower body can resume after 2 weeks. Start with leisurely strolls and build up your stamina to a low incline walk. Once you are comfortable with this, you can level up to a low impact exercise like gentle cycling on a stationary bike. You should avoid traditional cycling as the risk of a fall onto your chest could precipitate a bleed still at this early recovery phase. It is recommended that you aim for only 50% of your pre-op pace whilst you slowly rebuild your endurance. Make sure you wear your compression bra or a supportive sports bra when you work out. You must avoid any upper body work including yoga, pilates or any cardio where there is any repetitive movement of your breasts like jogging or high intensity training.

Sexual activity can be resumed 3 weeks after surgery. You may notice changes to your nipple sensation, typically nipple numbness. This should improve over 2-3 months. Some women get shooting pains on the side of their breasts or behind their nipples - this is usually short-lived and is due to the nerves in the breast recovering. 

Six to eight weeks

Six to eight weeks after your surgery, you may resume jogging or running. You should build up your pace to 75% of what you previously did at the six-week mark and back to your pre-op pace by the eight-week mark. If at any point you have any discomfort in your breasts, you should dial it back and give it a few more weeks of healing as it’s your body’s way of telling you that you’re doing too much.

Two to three months

By 3 to 4 months, your swelling should have settled completely, and your ‘final’ breast shape will emerge. You may notice some firm lumps or bumps in your breasts. This is a normal part of healing from the breast rearrangement internally, but it is worth getting it checked out with your surgeon.

It is important to stick to your aftercare instructions. Patience is key to your recovery and some forward planning to ensure that you have the right set-up at home before checking in for your surgery will ensure a smooth recovery journey.