How long is the total healing time after breast reduction surgery?
I am considering breast reduction surgery. I want to know what to expect and what complications others have experienced.
I am considering breast reduction surgery. I want to know what to expect and what complications others have experienced.
i think 2-3 weeks
You should contact a place that does this surgery and ask them for more truthful and exact information. Or ask your doctor.
I was out of work for two weeks, and then slowly worked my way back up into full activities after a month.
I was able to shower 24 hours after surgery BUT some PS’s want you to wait a few days… different PS’s have different methods. I just put my back to the shower head and let the water run over my incisions and steri strips.
Telfa pads from CVS/Rite Aid. They are nonstick pads that you can put over your incisions if they are still leaking. I loved them!
My incisions took at least two months to fully close (so no baths or swimming until the incisions are 10000% closed or else you’ll get a nasty infection!).
My swelling went down after a few months (though it can take up to a year to get your final size).
My sensation came back after three months (but can take over a year to regain sensation).
Scars take about a year to fade, so unless they are white do not put them into the sun or they will turn permanently red. Use Mederma and ScarGuard and they will be barely noticeable (like mine!).
Also take some “arnica montana” I bought it on amazon’s website. It helped me out a lot with my bruising and swelling.
You have to sleep on your back for a while, at least until the incisions close. Its a pain in the butt, but I bought a wedge pillow and it helped out TONS.
I experienced a few split stitches (it looks like a piece of rice). You don’t pull them, you clip them and they eventually dissolve or fall out.
Your incisions MAY scab over. DO NOT pull the scabs. If they don’t come off easy, clip the part of the scab that is free and let the part still connected to your breast come off on its own. I had a little bit part of a scab on, I pulled it off, the next day I had this nasty open spot that I had to treat with solutions. It took a month or two to heal. So do not pull scabs off!
LISTEN to your doctor. ANY questions you have, ask the PS first. I’ve found that different PS’s have different methods. Like when to shower, when to travel, when to do normal activities, how to treat open spots, etc.
I have tons of more information for you, but those are the basics.
This site helped me out tons before and after my surgery.