Frequently Asked Questions After Breast Reduction Surgery
How much will it hurt?
All patients experience some pain in their chest after breast reduction
surgery. Patients also experience tightness of the chest and the sensation
of difficulty breathing. Women liken it to the feeling of having their
breasts filled with milk during breast-feeding. Most often this discomfort
can be controlled with prescription pain pills. Ten percent of patients
take only plain acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol) for pain. Generally, patients
begin switching to acetaminophen three to five days after breast reduction
surgery. Ice packs also help with pain and swelling.
Do I have to stay in bed after my
surgery?
No. Gently get out of bed as soon as possible after your surgery. Try
not to use your arms when you get out of bed. An adult must help you get
out of bed the first few times because of possible fainting. Begin to
walk as much as possible as soon as you can after surgery. Always get
out of bed to go to the bathroom. Do take it easy the first few days.
Do not exert yourself in any strenuous activity. A balance of rest and
reduced activity will speed up your recovery.
Will there be any bandages or dressings?
There are clear plastic dressings placed at the time of surgery. These
must be left in place for one week. I will remove these dressings during
your first office visit. I ask that you do not wear a bra for the first
week. This will reduce your postoperative pain.
When can I shower after surgery?
You may shower the day after surgery. You may use the antibacterial soap
that you used before your surgery. Do not take a bath or swim for one
week.
When do I come back to the office
for aftercare?
I want to see you within the first week after surgery. After your first
visit, I want to see you at six weeks, six months, and one year. The reason
for this extended care is because it takes six months to one year for
complete healing to occur. There are no charges for these office visits.
You are welcome to be seen in my office anytime you have questions or
concerns about your surgery.
Will there be any stitches to take
out?
No. I only use stitches that will be absorbed or wash out. I do this
to eliminate the discomfort of suture removal after surgery.
When can I have a massage?
Body massage is very effective in relaxation. However, it cannot be done
while there is bruising of the skin due to the risk of long term or permanent
brown-gray staining of the skin. All therapeutic massage treatments must
be discontinued until any bruising has completely resolved.
How long must I be off work?
How long you are off work depends on your occupation. If you do clerical
work (i.e. stockbroker, teacher, or programmer), you can return to work
when you feel up to it. This usually takes about a week. If you do manual
labor (i.e. entertainer, truck driver, or trainer), you must be off work
for three weeks. Regardless of your employment, do not lift anything weighing
more than five pounds for three weeks.
When can I work out after breast
reduction surgery?
Generally, you can go back to working out two to three weeks after breast
reduction surgery. This depends on how you feel. Do not lift anything
that weighs more than five pounds for three weeks. Avoid contact sports
for six weeks. Workouts must stop if you experience discomfort in your
breasts or chest. A balance of rest and reduced activity will speed up
your recovery.
Can I breast feed after a breast
reduction?
If there are no changes in nipple sensation, you may be able to breast
feed after breast reduction surgery. There are significant changes in
milk gland structure that may also interfere with breast-feeding. You
should attempt to breast feed if this is your goal.
Will this problem return if I have
children?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict if this problem will return
after having children. Changes in breast size and shape do occur during
pregnancy.
When can I suntan after surgery?
Sun tanning damages your skin. It leads to wrinkling, discoloration,
and superficial growths. It can also lead to serious skin cancer. For
these reasons, I recommend that you use sun block with an SPF number of
15 or greater at all times. A physical broad-spectrum sun block works
best. If you are exposed to the sun, I recommend that you protect treated
areas for six weeks with clothing such as a T-shirt, or pareo. You must
be careful to protect any scars from sun exposure with clothing, tape,
or sun block for six months. Better yet, stay in the shade where it's
cooler!
How long will the results last?
The results are usually very long lasting (i.e. five to ten years). Sun
exposure, weight gain, weight loss, aging and pregnancy will reduce the
longevity of the results. To maintain the best result, it is important
that you avoid sun exposure and drastic weight changes.
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