By Dr. Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Last Updated May 2025
Breast reduction surgery can be a life-changing procedure that offers relief from physical discomfort and improved quality of life. At Dr. Scott J Turner’s clinics in Manly and Double Bay, we understand that recovery is a crucial part of your surgical journey. This comprehensive guide will help you understand what to expect during each phase of your recovery, from the immediate post-operative period through the first year and beyond.
Before Surgery: Preparing for Recovery
Proper preparation can significantly improve your recovery experience. Here are essential steps to take before your procedure:
Home Preparation
- Set up a recovery space with extra pillows for elevation
- Stock up on easy-to-prepare, nutritious meals
- Fill your prescriptions ahead of time
- Arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first 24-48 hours
- Place frequently used items within easy reach to avoid stretching
- Prepare comfortable front-opening clothing
Nutrition and Lifestyle
- Eat a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamin C, and zinc to support healing
- Stay well-hydrated in the days leading up to surgery
- Stop smoking at least 6 weeks before surgery (and after) as smoking significantly increases complication risks
- Avoid alcohol for at least 2 weeks before surgery
- Follow any medication adjustments recommended by your Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Weight Considerations
Maintaining a stable, healthy weight is important for optimal surgical outcomes. Research shows that patients with higher BMIs face increased complication risks. For breast procedures, Dr. Turner recommends maintaining a BMI below 32 kg/m² to minimize complications. Learn more about the ideal weight for plastic surgery outcomes.
Week 1: The Immediate Recovery Period
The first week after surgery is typically the most intense part of your recovery journey.
What to Expect
- Pain and Discomfort: You’ll experience moderate discomfort, typically peaking between days 2-4. This is managed with prescribed pain medication, which you should take as directed. As pain subsides, transition to non-narcotic options like paracetamol.
- Swelling and Bruising: Significant swelling and bruising are normal and may extend to your abdomen. These peak in the first few days but will gradually improve. It’s common for one breast to swell more than the other or heal at a different rate—this typically resolves with time.
- Physical Sensations: You may experience a variety of sensations including tightness, pressure, occasional shooting pains, a “pulling or stretching” feeling, and potential numbness or altered sensation, particularly around the nipples. You might also notice a sensation of fluid moving in the breasts—this is normal.
- Drainage: If drains were placed during your procedure, they will collect fluid during this initial period. Keep track of drainage amounts as instructed. Drains are typically removed within the first week when output decreases to an acceptable level.
Post-Operative Care
- Rest: Prioritise rest but avoid staying in bed all day. Short, gentle walks around your home promote circulation and help prevent blood clots.
- Sleeping Position: Sleep on your back with your upper body elevated on pillows to reduce swelling and pressure on your breasts. Most surgeons recommend avoiding sleeping on your side or stomach for 4-6 weeks to prevent pressure on healing tissues.
- Surgical Bra: Wear your surgical/compression bra continuously as instructed, typically 24 hours a day for 4-6 weeks.
- Incision Care: Keep incisions clean and dry. If Steri-Strips were applied, leave them in place until they fall off naturally or are removed at a follow-up appointment.
- Showering: You can typically shower 24-48 hours after surgery or once drains are removed. Let soap and water run gently over incisions and pat dry—do not rub. Avoid baths, swimming pools, and hot tubs for at least 4-6 weeks.
Activity Restrictions
- Avoid lifting anything over 2kg
- No driving while taking narcotic pain medication
- Avoid raising your arms above shoulder height
- No pushing, pulling, or strenuous activities
- Take short, gentle walks around your home several times daily
Emotional Wellbeing
It’s common to experience emotional fluctuations, including feeling tearful or overwhelmed during this initial recovery period. This is partly due to the effects of anesthesia, pain medication, physical discomfort, and adjusting to changes in your body. These feelings typically improve as you heal.
Week 2: Beginning to Return to Normal
During the second week, you’ll begin to feel more comfortable as acute post-surgical symptoms start to subside.
What to Expect
- Pain: Discomfort should noticeably decrease, though occasional twinges are normal
- Swelling: Still present but beginning to reduce
- Energy Levels: Gradually improving, though fatigue is still common
- Sensations: Continued numbness, tingling, or altered sensation, particularly in the nipple area
Activities and Restrictions
- Work: Most patients with desk jobs can return to work, though you may tire easily
- Driving: Typically resume once you’re no longer taking narcotic pain medication and feel confident in your ability to react quickly (around 10-14 days post-surgery)
- Movement: Continue light walking, gradually increasing duration as comfortable
- Restrictions: Continue to avoid lifting more than 2kg, reaching overhead, and any pushing or pulling motions
Post-Operative Care
- Continue wearing your surgical or compression bra 24/7
- Maintain proper incision care as directed by your surgeon
- Begin to carefully introduce scar care treatments if instructed by your surgeon
Weeks 3-4: Continued Healing
As you move into the third and fourth weeks, you’ll notice continued improvements.
What to Expect
- Appearance: Your breasts will still appear somewhat swollen and may sit higher on your chest than they will ultimately. Perfect symmetry is rare both in nature and after surgery—minor asymmetries in size, shape, or nipple position are normal.
- Sensitivity: Changes in nipple and breast sensation continue; some areas may remain numb while others might become hypersensitive as nerves regenerate. While changes in nipple sensation are common, many patients regain substantial sensation over time, though some may experience permanent changes.
- Energy: Energy levels improve, but you may still tire more easily than usual
Activities and Restrictions
- Exercise: Begin light lower-body exercises if approved by your surgeon, such as walking longer distances or gentle stationary cycling
- Lifting: Continue limiting lifting to items under 5kg
- Upper Body: Continue to avoid upper body exercises, reaching overhead, and activities that cause your breasts to bounce
- Sexual Activity: May typically be resumed after at least 3 weeks, as comfort allows, while avoiding pressure on breasts
Post-Operative Care
- Bra Wearing: Continue wearing your surgical/compression bra as directed
- Scar Care: Begin or continue with scar management techniques as advised by your surgeon, which may include gentle massage and silicone products
Months 2-3: Settling In
During months 2-3, your recovery continues as tissues heal and your breasts begin to settle into their new position and shape.
What to Expect
- Appearance: Breasts begin to settle into a more natural position and soften; however, your final results are still developing
- Swelling: Significantly reduced but may still be present, especially at the end of the day or after activity
- Sensation: Continued improvement in sensation, though some areas may still have altered feeling
- Scars: Still visibly red or pink and possibly raised, which is normal at this stage
Activities and Restrictions
- Exercise: Around 6-8 weeks, you can gradually reintroduce more strenuous activities and upper body exercises with your Specialist Plastic Surgeon’s approval
- Lifting: By 6 weeks, lifting restrictions often ease to 10kg, but follow your Specialist Plastic Surgeon’s specific instructions
- Bras: Around 6-8 weeks, transition from your surgical bra to supportive sports bras or soft bras without underwire. Wait until around 8-12 weeks post-surgery for bra shopping when most swelling has resolved and your breasts have settled into their new position.
- Normal Activities: Most patients resume all normal activities by 8-12 weeks, including sexual activity (which can typically be resumed after 3 weeks, as comfort allows, while avoiding pressure on breasts)
Post-Operative Care
- Ongoing Appointments: Attend scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress
- Scar Management: Continue diligent scar care, which is crucial during this period when scars are actively forming
- Sun Protection: Keep scars completely protected from the sun, as UV exposure can cause permanent darkening
Months 6-12: Long-Term Recovery
The 6-12 month period represents the maturation phase of your recovery.
What to Expect
- Final Results: Your breasts continue to refine in shape and position, approaching their final appearance. While you’ll notice improvements quickly, the final refined appearance develops over 6-12 months as swelling completely resolves and tissues settle.
- Sensation: Most patients have regained significant sensation, though some areas may have permanent changes
- Scars: Begin to fade from red to pink and eventually to a lighter color, becoming less noticeable. Scars never disappear completely but will significantly fade and become less noticeable over 12-18 months with proper care. Most patients find their scars quite acceptable once fully matured.
- Texture: Breast tissue continues to soften and feel more natural
Ongoing Care
- Scar Treatment: Continue scar management for the full 12-18 months as scars mature
- Support: You can typically transition to regular bras with underwire if desired, though some patients prefer to continue with wireless options for comfort
- Follow-up: Attend your 6-month and 12-month follow-up appointments with your Specialist Plastic Surgeon to evaluate your progress
Understanding Potential Complications
While most breast reductions proceed without major issues, being aware of potential complications helps you recognise when to seek medical attention. For more detailed information about potential risks, please read our article on understanding the risks and potential side effects of breast reduction surgery.
When to Contact Your Surgeon
Contact Dr. Turner’s office promptly if you experience:
- Increased pain, swelling, or firmness in one breast (could indicate haematoma)
- Increasing redness, warmth, or streaking around incisions (signs of infection)
- Pus-like or foul-smelling discharge from incisions
- Fever above 38°C (100.4°F)
- Opening of incisions (dehiscence)
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Significant asymmetry that develops suddenly
Comprehensive Scar Care Guide
Proper scar management is crucial for optimal aesthetic outcomes following breast reduction surgery.
Understanding Scar Development
Scars evolve through several phases over 12-18 months:
- Initial Phase (0-6 weeks): Incision lines heal and scabs disappear
- Formation Phase (6 weeks-6 months): Scars may appear red, purple, or dark pink and can be slightly raised or firm
- Maturation Phase (6-18+ months): Scars gradually fade in colour, soften, and flatten
Scar Management Techniques
- Sun Protection: Critical for preventing permanent darkening of scars. Keep scars completely protected from the sun for at least 12 months and apply SPF 30+ sunscreen to healed scars when exposed.
- Silicone Products: Once incisions are fully closed (typically 2-4 weeks post-surgery), begin using silicone sheets or gel as recommended by your Specialist Plastic Surgeon. These products help hydrate scar tissue and can modulate collagen production, leading to softer, flatter scars.
- Scar Massage: When approved by your Specialist Plastic Surgeon (typically 3-4 weeks post-op), gentle massage can help soften scar tissue and prevent adherence to underlying structures. Use the pad of your finger to apply gentle pressure in circular motions for 5-10 minutes, 2-3 times daily.
- Moisturisation: Keep scars well-moisturised with recommended products to support the healing process.
Advanced Scar Treatments
If scars remain problematic after standard care, other options may be discussed with your Specialist Plastic Surgeon:
- Corticosteroid injections for thickened scars
- Laser therapy for persistent redness
- Microneedling for texture improvements
Contact Us
If you have any questions about your breast reduction recovery, please contact our clinics in Manly or Double Bay. For appointments or enquiries, visit our contact page or call our friendly team.
This guide is provided for general information purposes only and does not replace personalised medical advice. Always follow the specific instructions provided by Dr. Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, and his team.
