What to Watch for Right After Surgery

In the days and weeks following your breast reduction surgery, some pain and discomfort are normal. However, if your symptoms seem excessive, be sure to contact your healthcare provider. These complications in particular are cause for concern:

• Bleeding—Small amounts of bleeding are to be expected, but significant blood loss can lead to haematomas—collections of blood that form under the skin. Haematomas typically appear as firm, swollen areas that may feel warm to the touch. They can cause pain, asymmetry between breasts, and may require surgical drainage if severe. Most haematomas develop within the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery.
• Infection—Infections are rare, but all good breast reduction advice should mention what to look for. Increased redness around the incision site, warmth, swelling, and a fever could all mean you have developed an infection. Thankfully, proper wound care procedures will significantly reduce your infection risk.
• Delayed Wound Healing—Some patients experience slower-than-expected wound healing, particularly at incision points where tension is highest. If you worry your recovery isn’t progressing as expected, do not hesitate to speak with your surgeon.

Long-Term Breast Reduction Surgery Issues

Cosmetic surgeries may also come with long-term problems. While rare, these issues are important to be aware of. Your surgeon should be your first call if you have concerns about any of the following:

• Scarring—Scarring is inevitable with breast reduction surgery, but the extent and appearance can vary significantly between patients. If you develop raised, thick, or dark scarring in the incision area, you may need additional treatment to help fade them.
• Sensory Issues—Some breast reduction patients experience temporary or permanent changes in nipple sensation. They may become more or less sensitive, or in severe cases, numb. Although some sensation typically returns within a year, complete recovery isn’t guaranteed.
• Breast Asymmetry—Perfect symmetry is rare even before surgery, but some patients notice more pronounced differences between their breasts during recovery. Initial asymmetry often improves when swelling subsides, but some degree of it may persist.

When to Seek Medical Attention

It’s always better to speak to your healthcare provider as soon as you have concerns. But certain symptoms require immediate medical attention and shouldn’t be ignored. Severe bleeding or sudden, severe pain that does not go away with medication warrants seeing a healthcare professional right away. Rest assured, these symptoms are very rare, especially when you follow your consultant’s recovery instructions to the letter.

How to Manage a Challenging Recovery

The good news is that most breast reduction surgery issues are manageable. Work with your surgeon to craft a recovery plan that makes sense for you and accounts for your lifestyle needs. A proper recovery will include all of the following:

• Pain Management—You will likely be prescribed pain medication, but effective pain management goes beyond just that. Ice packs can help reduce swelling and provide pain relief during the first 48 hours, while proper positioning—sleeping elevated and avoiding lying on your stomach—reduces discomfort.
• Activity Restrictions—Following activity restrictions is crucial for proper healing. We typically recommend that patients avoid heavy lifting for four to six weeks and only return to exercise with their surgeon’s approval.
• Nutrition—What you eat is critical as you recover from a major surgery. Be sure to get enough protein (which supports tissue repair) and stay hydrated throughout the healing process.
• Avoiding Smoking and Alcohol—Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can interfere with the healing process and increase your risk of complications. Make every effort to avoid these in the months following surgery.