Department of Surgery

Strong Health's Specialists in Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic Surgery

Recovery After Breast Reduction Surgery

Immediately After Surgery

After the surgery, your breasts will be covered and protected by gauze dressings and either an elastic bandage or a surgical bra. These dressings and the drainage tubes will be removed during the first week after surgery, but you’ll continue to wear a support bra for several weeks.

After A Few Weeks

Your breasts will be swollen and bruised for a few weeks after surgery. During the first few days you’ll probably have some pain, and for a week or more you may feel discomfort when you move around. Medicines will control this.

Your stitches will be removed within one to three weeks, and you should be able to return to non-physical work about two weeks after surgery, though it will be several weeks before you feel completely up to speed and you’ll need to limit your exercise and activities during this time. You’ll also want to avoid sex for a week or so because arousal can cause your breasts to hurt.

Your first menstruation after surgery may create pain in your breasts. And you may find your breasts and nipples are less sensitive, or have no feeling at all. Sensation usually returns after several weeks or months.

This surgery does leave permanent scars. But they will fade in time and are easily hidden by clothing. Because it removes many of the milk ducts in the breast, this surgery is not recommended for women who want to breast feed.

Healing Is Slow -- But Results Are Great

Many people feel depressed for a while after plastic surgery, especially in the early days when your breasts are swollen and bruised. This is normal and will pass. Healing is slow and gradual and sometimes the final results of the surgery aren’t apparent for many months or more. But remember why you chose to have the surgery. If you've met your goals, then your surgery is a success.