What To Expect: Breast Reduction Recovery Week By Week

Breast reduction surgery is a procedure that can reduce the size, weight, and shape of a patient's breasts in order to restore a balance. Breast reduction surgery typically requires patients to miss roughly 1 week of work (depending on their line of work). Let’s dive into the full breast reduction recovery timeline and what you can expect during your breast reduction recovery week by week!

Breast Reduction Recovery Week By Week

Day 1:

• Enjoy a light meal prior to taking pain medications; ie. Soup, crackers, toast.
• Pain medications, as directed. No driving while taking pain medications. May take Colace, a stool softener, to decrease risk of constipation, caused by pain medications.
• Be sure you hydrate! Alternate between water and Gatorade/Powerade, etc.
• Wear compression hose for 24 hours. Walk 10 minutes every hour, while awake, to reduce risk of blood clots.
• No strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks, including cardiovascular activity or lifting greater than 5 lbs.
• Wear surgical bra for 23 hours/day for 3 weeks.
• Sleep with the head of the bed elevated, to decrease pain and swelling for 1 week.
• Do not raise arms over head for 1 week.

Week 1:

• Post-Operative Appointment: Assess breasts and incisions. Drain check; if placed. Breast compression exercise education if implants placed.
• You may sleep on your back at this point, however you cannot sleep on your side yet.

Week 3:

• You may wear any sports bra that feels comfortable. No underwire for 6 weeks.

Week 4:

• Remove any remaining SteriStrips from incisions.
• You may participate in mild cardio at this point, as tolerated; ie. Elliptical, treadmill walking, stationary bike.

Week 6:

• You may participate in regular exercise, once cleared at follow up from your surgical team. Listen to your body! If it hurts, don’t do it.
• You may resume tub bathing and swimming, once cleared at follow up (No scabs, completely healed.)
• You may sleep in any position, as tolerated, once cleared at follow up by your surgical team.
• Begin scar care: Silagen recommended and available at Vado Plastic Surgery.
• You may wear whatever bra desired at this point.

Week 12:

• Recovery Milestone… Should be at full activity levels! 😊