Tips for Recovery after a Breast Reduction in Sydney or Newcastle

Breast reduction surgery can help remove excess fat, tissue, and skin from your breast in order to achieve your desired breast size. Apart from cosmetic concerns, it is commonly performed to help ease backache, neck ache and discomfort associated with large breasts. Sometimes, procedures like liposuction and breast implant surgery can be performed with a breast reduction to further enhance the shape and aesthetic of the breast. Dr Scott Turner is a breast reduction expert and Plastic Surgeon in Newcastle and Sydney NSW here are his tips for the best recovery after breast reduction surgery.

CLICK to Download Dr Scott Turner’s Breast Reduction Surgery Guide

Preparing for a breast reduction

You can best prepare yourself for a breast reduction by:

Researching all about the procedure and reading our breast reduction guide
Choosing the best plastic surgeon for breast reduction
Understanding the associated risks and complications
Providing your detailed medical history to Dr Turner
Avoiding smoking prior to the procedure
Avoid taking aspirin and blood-thinning medications before surgery
Wearing loose-fitting and comfortable clothes
Preparing your post surgery recovery room and support
Arranging for someone responsible to transport you home after surgery

8 Best Tips for a Better Recovery after Breast Reduction

1. Preparing a recovery room

Preparing your recovery room before undergoing the procedure will make your rehabilitation journey a lot easier. Keep all essential things that you’ll need for the first few weeks stored nearby that can be accessed easily. Go Shopping and get the things you will need.

2. Sleeping comfortably

It is recommended that you sleep on your back while keeping your breasts in an elevated position. If you don’t own a recliner, use some pillows to keep your breasts in an elevated position.

3. Fins a Support Team – Enlist help the first few days

You should enlist the help of someone to take you home after the completion of the surgery and to assist you with daily activities for the next few days. Find a friend, family member, neighbour or spouse.

4. Eat a healthy diet

Have a healthy and nutritious diet to supply your body with plenty of energy to fasten your recovery. Consume lean meats, fibre-rich fruits like apples and bananas, as well as seafood, eggs, rice, beans. It is recommended that you have minimal salt as it is known to reduce swelling.

5. Drink plenty of fluids

You should replenish yourself by drinking plenty of water with some lemon or orange juice. It is recommended that you avoid drinking alcohol and carbonated beverages for a few weeks.

5. Absolutely Avoid smoking or vaping

Smoking increases risks and complications as well as hampers the final result. Nicotine found in cigarettes causes constriction of blood vessels damaging the blood supply necessary for recovery. It is recommended that you should consider avoiding smoking as long as possible – six to eight weeks before and after surgery would be ideal.

6. Get plenty of rest

You should take at least two weeks off from your work and get adequate rest to heal yourself. Mobility will start returning gradually. Keep strenuous physical activities to a bare minimum early on. However, you should start with gentle movements like walking for a few minutes to help with the blood flow. But, try not to exert yourself; stop and rest if you feel any pain or discomfort from the activity.

7. Follow the post-op care guideline

The post-surgical care instructions provided by Dr Turner for each procedure will make your rehabilitation easier.

8. Wear the compression bra during recovery

The compression garment provides support to your breasts keeping them in place, can help reduce bruising and swelling, and lowers the risk of seroma. It should be worn for at least six to eight weeks. Even after completion of the eight weeks, you should wear a sports bra instead of an underwire bra for some time.

Timeline for Recovery after Breast Reduction surgery

First few days after surgery

A dressing that assists in wound healing will be applied after the completion of the procedure. The dressing should stay on for the next 3 weeks. A surgical garment will also be fitted after you are awake and comfortable. It is essential that you wear the garment continuously for the first six weeks as it is supports wound healing and settling of your new breasts. You may choose to take off the garment for certain short periods while at home and while showering near the dressings.

In some cases, a surgical drain may be needed to be placed to remove excess blood and fluids for the first few days. You might have to stay in hospital overnight for observation and could be allowed to go home the next morning.

You should have someone to drive you home and assist you with day-to-day activities during the first few days. Post-op pain is common which is treated with the help of oral medication. You will be prescribed medications and antibiotics for pain management.

You can resume walking in the first few days after surgery as it gets your blood flow going, but limit your physical activities to a minimum.

A Week later

If you work at home or in an office, some patients will be able to return to work after a week. If your occupation is physically demanding you should take a further week off to rest and recover.

Soreness will still be present and you may feel tightness of the breast as well as tingling pain around the breast area. This is normal and is part of the natural healing process.

You should focus on eating a healthy and nutritious diet, drinking plenty of water, getting enough rest and avoid any highly intensive physical activities.

Take care of your bandages and follow Dr Turner’s recovery instructions. It is recommended that you abstain from smoking and drinking alcohol as it is known to hinder the healing process and give an unsatisfactory aesthetic result.

You will have a follow-up appointment with Dr Turner and the team, to check if your wounds are healing as expected as well as to review your new breast shape. There’ll be numerous appointments with Dr Turner over the year, where he’ll give you additional tips to the post-op guidelines to make your recovery journey smoother.

Two weeks later

Your breasts will still feel tender and there will be the presence of some amount of swelling and bruising. There may be an urge to scratch the incision site as it begins to heal and become dryer (try not to scratch). You should keep wearing the compression bra. Consider lowering your sodium intake and drink plenty of fluids especially water and non-carbonated beverages to help further reduce swelling.

You may be able to resume some light-intensity activities but do not push yourself too hard.

About a month later

Around the third week, the bandages will be removed and there should be minimal to no soreness and bruising. Some amount of swelling will persist over six months to a year. You should begin to feel fairly normal and should be able to resume most activities. It is recommended that you consult with Dr Turner and the team before returning to highly physically demanding activities.

You may start to feel the benefits of the procedure like reduced back and neck pain, clothes fitting better, and the freedom to move around more easily. You should continue wearing the compression bra and comfortable clothes.

Two months later

You will start feeling fully recovered but your body will still be healing. You may be allowed to resume a higher intensity exercise routine and wear clothes that you want. You may stop wearing the surgical bra from this point forward. You should wear a sports bra but do not wear an underwire bra.

Six months and later

Everyone’s body heals at a different pace. Some people may feel normal after eight weeks while some may require twelve to fourteen weeks to feel completely normal. There may be a small amount of swelling on the breast area for over a year. After the swelling is completely gone, you’ll be able to see the final result of the procedure.

Do’s and Don’ts for recovery after Breast Reduction

Do’s:

Arrange someone who will transport you home after surgery
Get plenty of rest
Care for your incision site
Wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothes
Wear the compression garment
Keep salt intake to a minimum
Sleep on your back while keeping your breasts in a slightly elevated position
Eat healthy and nutritious foods
Stay hydrated
Take prescribed medications on time
Follow Dr Turner’s guidelines
Contact Dr Turner in case of any questions or emergencies

Don’ts:

Sleep on your side
Smoke or Vape
Consume excess alcohol
Attempt any highly demanding exercises
Lift heavy objects
Wear tight-fitting clothes
Wear other types of bra
Ignore signs of emergencies

When to seek medical help

Symptoms that indicate that you need to seek medical help immediately include:

Sudden chest pain
Shortness of breath
An excruciating pain that does subside even after taking the pain medication
Your stitches are loose or your incision becomes open
There is bleeding from the incision site
You show signs of infection
High fever
You show signs of a blood clot in your leg

FAQs – Questions about Recovery after Breast Reduction

How long does it take to fully heal from breast reduction?

Generally, patients will be able to perform daily activities on their own a week after the procedure and return to lower-intensity activities two weeks after surgery. Complete recovery usually takes around twelve to fourteen weeks. In some cases, some people may completely recovery as early as eight weeks.

How do I shower after breast reduction surgery?

You should take a quick shower with cold water using a sponge while keeping the dressing or stitches as dry as possible. After finishing the shower, you should pat dry the dressing site with a towel.

What is the fastest way to recover from a breast reduction?

Follow your surgeons instructions

Do breasts sag after breast reduction?

As your breasts will become lighter than they were before, they will sag far less than they would have prior to the surgery. But you cannot completely overlook the effects of natural aging and gravity which can allow further sag over time.

Can I lay on my side after breast reduction?

No, it is not recommended that you lay or sleep on your side after a reduction mammoplasty as it has some medical concerns that aren’t just worth the risk. It is recommended that patients who have difficulty sleeping on their back keep their breasts in an elevated position until they are fully healed.

When can I run after breast reduction?

As running immediately after a breast reduction can negatively impact the result of your surgery, it is recommended that you start jogging or running at least six weeks after the surgery.

How can I make my breasts perkier when having a breast reduction?

You can combine a breast lift or implants with a reduction to make your breasts perky.

Find out more about Breast Reduction Surgery

Medical References for Recovery after Breast Reduction

Dr Scott Turner FRACS (Plas) – Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Dr Scott J Turner has spent a lifetime acquiring the qualifications, education, training, and hands-on surgical experience to perform superior cosmetic plastic surgery to give you natural, beautiful results and the improved sense of well-being you want. He is one of the top Specialist Plastic Surgeons with a Breast and Body Surgery focus in New South Wales.

Achieving this personal goal requires not only in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and refined surgical techniques but an ongoing commitment to learning the latest procedures around the world. This is why Dr Turner regularly attends both local and international surgeon meetings – discussing these advances with the leaders around the world in order to offer you the most natural, effective and safest surgical procedures.

Dr Turner and his highly trained staff will do everything to ensure that you are fully informed, while providing exceptional, world-class cosmetic plastic surgery, in a personal and caring environment.

Next Steps

Always Do Your Research

Download our Procedure Guides to find out more about your surgery
Please read our website pages and Blogs to learn more about your intended procedure

Do you need a Medical Referral to see Dr Turner?

A medical referral is helpful but NOT essential for purely cosmetic consultations.
Please obtain a medical referral from your GP or Specialist if you want a consultation for an MBS item number surgery.
Please note that your Medicare Rebates will NOT be claimable without a valid recent Medical Referral

Making The Most Of Your Consultation with Dr Turner

Please arrive slightly early for your in-person consultation with Dr Turner
You are welcome to bring a friend or relative to help consider the information and discuss your options
Please be aware you may need to undress for a physical exam so wear simpler clothes
Ensure you also take a lot of notes during the consultation and thoroughly examine all the documents provided

Want more information before scheduling your consultation?

Find out more about Dr Turner’s pricing, medical finance & payment plans and paying for your surgery
Request more information about the procedure – call or contact us

How to Book Your Consultation with Dr Turner

You can book your initial consultation with Dr Scott Turner by paying the $350 cosmetic consultation fee in advance – when you make your appointment.

Contact us or call on 1300 641 199 to arrange your consultation in Sydney or Newcastle. Email us for more information: [email protected]

Recovery After a Breast Reduction