Breast Reduction Surgery (Reduction Mammoplasty) Post-Operative Instructions

For helpful information on post-operative care following your breast reduction surgery, please view our Post-Operative Instructions video.

Instructions

Learn More About Bilateral Breast Reduction (Video)

Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home for 1-2 days.
Get plenty of rest.
Follow balanced diet.
Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more raw fruit to your diet, and be sure to increase fluid intake.
Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin unless approved by your surgeon.
Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications.

Start walking as soon as possible, this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots./li>
Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications (narcotics).
Do not drive until you have full range of motion with your arms.
Refrain from vigorous activity for 2-6 weeks. Increase activity gradually as tolerated.
Avoid lifting anything over 5 pounds for 2 weeks.
Resume social and employment activities in about 2 weeks (if not too strenuous).

You may shower 48 hours after removal of the drainage tubes.
Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months.
Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
Keep steri-strips on.
Keep incisions clean and inspect daily for signs of infection.
No tub soaking while sutures or drains are in place.
Wear your surgical bra 24/7 as directed for 6 weeks post op.
Your surgeon may let you move into a sports bra after 2 weeks (24/7). The bra needs to be a front closure with formed cups (not flat front).
Avoid bras with stays and underwires for 4-6 weeks.
You may pad the incisions with gauze for comfort.
If your breast skin is exceedingly dry after surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day, but be sure to keep the suture area dry.

You will be discharged from surgery with a drainage tube from each breast.
Incisions will be taped with steri-strips. Leave these in place until they fall off themselves or need to be changed. You can expect drainage onto the steri-strips.
Maximum discomfort will occur the first few days after surgery.
You may experience temporary soreness, bruising, swelling and tightness in the breasts as well as discomfort in the incision area.
You may not have sensation in the nipples. This usually returns as your body recovers.
Your first menstruation following surgery may cause your breasts to swell and hurt.
You may have random, shooting pains for a few months.

Most of the discoloration and swelling will subside in 2-4 weeks.
Your breasts will feel firm to the touch.
Scars may be red and angry looking for 6 months. In time, these usually soften and fade.

Drainage tubes will be removed when the drainage is less than 30 cc x1- 2 days. This will vary between surgeons.
Sutures will be dissolvable and will be clipped to skin level on first clinic appointment.

If you have increased swelling or bruising.
If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
If you have increased redness along the incision.
If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
If you have any side effects to medications; such as, rash, nausea, headache, vomiting.
If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.
If you have any yellowish or greenish drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.
If you have loss of feeling or motion.

(734) 998-6022, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
After hours and on weekends, call Hospital Paging at (734) 936-6267 and ask for the Plastic Surgeon on call.