“How long does it take to recover from breast reduction surgery?”
I am a 32 year old female. I want to have a breast reduction surgery. How long does it take to recover from breast reduction surgery?
8 Answers
4 weeks
Usually, the recovery from breast reduction surgery is quite mild. Patients usually take one or two days of narcotic pain medicine after the surgery and are back to normal activities in 5 to 7 days and may exercise after two weeks.
Dr. Edward S. Kole
Dr. Edward S. Kole
8 weeks
It varies from patient to patient based on your health history and how you heal from surgery. The surgical plan also can affect your healing. Typically you will see your results change up to 6 months. You should be able to resume normal activities around 6-8 weeks.
I generally tell my patients that they should expect a recovery time of 3-4 weeks.
Breast reduction is usually fairly problem-free and my patients can normally go back to work (desk jobs) after about a week. However, full healing to the point of no more tenderness, etc., can take a few months. Scars can take up to a year to fully settle down. Remember that all surgeries produce scars and not everyone heals well. Loss of feeling in one or both nipples is uncommon and usually temporary, but may be permanent and has to be seen as a “trade-off.” Having said all that, breast reduction is a life changing operation and patient satisfaction is my experience is almost 100%, even when the result is not perfect and complications develop.
The breast size may be huge, asymmetrical, etc. It usually takes an experienced team 3-4 hours, can also take 4-6 hours. It can be done as an out-patient, but circumstances may suggest in-patient status.
There are various techniques and magnitudes of reductions. The greater the reduction, the greater the risk regarding bleeding, necrosis, and delayed healing. Surgical treatment should be customized to individual anatomy, goals, and risks. Assuming no complications, you should be healed enough by two weeks to resume most, non-strenuous activities. Dr. Yuan
