Breast reduction risk factors such as you prevent complications. Recovering well will also raise the likelihood of achieving optimal results.
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Sawhney takes a patient-centred approach to in-person consultations, assessing each individual’s needs expectation-wise and health-wise. So, when it comes to breast reduction aftercare instructions, he will take a personalised approach, outlining the optimal steps you can take to support your healing process.
Before undergoing any type of plastic surgery, you will need a consultation with your surgeon to discuss your procedure plan. We recommend reading on to learn more about what can be involved during your recovery as a guide, before booking your consultation at Sculpted in the Gold Coast.
Breast reduction aftercare: What to expect
It is normal to experience some bruising, swelling and minor pain within the first few days after a breast reduction procedure. In fact, swelling and bruising can take some time to subside, however patients can usually see increases within about two to three weeks.
Pain can be managed with prescribed medication, if needed. It can also be soothed with gentle cold compression, which can also help to reduce swelling faster.
After your breast reduction surgery, you will need to wear a postoperative bra. The duration of time that you will need to wear this can vary from patient to patient, but generally it is recommended for about two to three weeks. The postoperative bra is a compression garment that can minimise discomfort, bruising and swelling, as well as help to shape the breasts and achieve the desired results.
If you’re worried about being left with highly visible scarring, there are multiple steps that you can take throughout your breast reduction journey to minimise the chance of this occurring. Firstly, mention your concern to your surgeon during the initial consultation, so that he can give you some preparation and aftercare tips based around reducing scarring. Next, make sure that you understand the type of incision pattern that your surgeon will be using.
In a breast reduction, your surgeon may use a vertical (lollipop) incision, an inverted-t (anchor) incision or a donut incision. The donut incision involves two concentric incisions around the outside of the areola, which creates the least visible scarring, however this method is only suitable for minor breast reductions as it allows for limited breast tissue access. The inverted-t incision is the most commonly used pattern, involving an incision around the areola, a vertical incision from the areola to the bottom of the breast and a horizontal incision along the breast crease. While it can be associated with more scarring, it provides your surgeon with much more freedom to perform a substantial reduction. The vertical incision may be used for mild to moderate reductions, and is the same as the inverted-t, except there is no need for the third incision along the breast crease.
The type of incision that you need will depend on how much breast tissue your surgeon will remove. To minimise scarring, you may be prescribed a topical scarring cream, along with instructions on how often to apply the cream and how long to apply it for.
What to do and what to avoid
As we mentioned earlier, you will receive more detailed instructions for breast reduction aftercare during your consultation, so some of these tips may be slightly different for you. However, they can provide you with a general idea of what you will need to do and avoid throughout recovery.
To be able to rest as much as possible, you will need to take time off from work or your usual daily routine for about two weeks. Make sure to wear your compression garment (postoperative bra) during this time, and use any scarring prevention creams you have been instructed to use. You may also be prescribed some medication, such as antibiotics, to prevent infection. It is crucial to closely follow medication instructions to give yourself an optimal chance of minimising post-procedural risks.
To avoid applying too much pressure to the area, try to sleep on your back for the first week after your procedure. You may be able to manage this by sleeping on an extra pillow, or sleeping with a pillow on either side of you to prevent rolling over during the night.
Light exercise, like walking, is okay during your recovery, but you will typically need to wait after about one week of rest. Any strenuous activities, like high-intensity exercise and heavy lifting, will need to be put on hold for several weeks.
If you have been prescribed pain medication, you will need to avoid driving until your pain can be manageable without the medication. Medication can cause drowsiness, and it may be stressful to keep your arms straight ahead of you too soon after the procedure due to the swelling and potential pain in the operated area.
If you are a smoker, you will likely be instructed to quit for about six weeks before and after your procedure. Smoking can increase your chance of nipple and fat necrosis, which is when the tissue in the area dies, and other complications such as delayed healing. If this may be an issue for you, make sure that you bring this up during your consultation so that your surgeon can provide you with support and recommendations.
Throughout your recovery, you will need to attend some post-operative appointments, to monitor your healing and the progress of the results. If any complications are spotted early, potentially more serious complications that can be harder to treat may be avoided, which can also avoid the need for revision surgery.
To take care of your general health throughout your recovery, make sure to get plenty of rest, follow a healthy diet and drink enough fluids. Your mental health can also affect your physical health, so we recommend aiming to keep stress levels to a minimum if possible.
If you are undergoing a breast reduction with Dr Raja Sawhney, you will be provided with support as part of your breast reduction aftercare. If, at any time, you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to contact us so that we can support you in any way we can.
Breast reduction surgery with Dr Sawhney
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Raja Sawhney is the director of Sculpted Clinic on the Gold Coast, performing a high amount of breast reduction procedures using his own advanced and refined technique. As well as being highly experienced in breast reduction surgery, he focuses on facial aesthetics, including face lifts and rhinoplasty procedures. He is also well-experienced in nerve reconstruction and hand surgery.
With such vast experience in advanced surgical procedures, Dr Raja Sawhney can offer the most supportive, patient-focused and effective breast reduction procedures possible. To learn more about the well-respected and established surgeon, head to the Our Team page.
If you think it’s time for a breast reduction, contact us to book your consultation today or ask us any questions you may have.
