Breast Reduction Recovery Timeline
During a breast reduction surgery, a surgeon removes fat and other tissue from the breasts before repositioning the nipple for a natural lift and appearance. While some breast reduction surgeries are certainly done for aesthetic reasons, a large portion are completed due to discomfort from breasts that are too large.
If you have a breast reduction surgery planned, one of the best things you can do to prepare is to know your breast reduction recovery timeline and plan to spend your breast reduction recovery time resting as recommended. Waiting to return to your normal life is one of the most difficult parts of receiving plastic surgery, but it is absolutely necessary if you wish to recover completely.
How Long Does Breast Reduction Recovery Take?
Your surgeon will give you a personalized breast reduction recovery timeline and summary of what to expect as you recover, but, in general, full recovery from a breast reduction takes about one month to achieve near-final results.
- Immediately After Surgery: Your wounds will be wrapped in gauze which may be secured using a special bra. Drainage tubes may also be installed to help with swelling and fluid accumulation.
- The Night Of: Your surgeon may ask you to stay the night at the hospital during this crucial time in your breast reduction recovery. In other cases, however, you will be able to return home or to your postoperative care facility immediately after surgery.
- The First Few Days: Your doctor may prescribe oral painkillers or ice packs to help ease the pain for the first few days of recovery. In general, you will need to wait until all drainage tubes are removed (about a week) before showering. It is crucial that you take part in gentle physical activity during this time, such as brief walks, to fend off constipation and prevent potentially dangerous blood clots.
- One-Two Weeks: During this time in your breast reduction recovery timeline, you should be home from work and focusing on your recovery and rest. For the first 1-2 weeks of your breast reduction recovery time, you will experience extensive soreness and fatigue. Avoid lifting heavy objects as this may exacerbate scarring and slow your healing. You may also be asked to return to the doctor’s office during this time for a follow-up appointment to have your stitches removed.
- The First Month: You will be instructed to avoid exercise and refrain from wearing underwire bras for at least the first month of recovery. By the end of this month, you should be able to resume your normal activity. It may take some time to get used to your new breasts, but you should be mostly free of pain and swelling at this point in your breast reduction recovery time.
- The Next Few Years: Scarring will fade but not disappear. You can help your body to heal and minimize scarring by keeping your incision site out of the sun and moisturizing frequently.
Let Pearl Recovery Retreat Help You Heal
As the top-recommended postoperative care center in Los Angeles, Pearl Wellness is proud to offer discreet, luxury care that allows you to recover in tranquility. No matter what your expected breast reduction recovery timeline may be, you can benefit from the 24-hour care, luxury recovery center amenities, and personalized concierge service provided through our wellness suites within the 5-star Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills hotel.
Fill out our online form to tell us about what you’ll need during your breast reduction recovery time and to inquire about a reservation.