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The Phases of Recovery After Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery, (Contact Us) also known as reduction mammaplasty, is often performed to relieve women of medical symptoms associated with large, pendulous breasts. Following surgery, patients can expect to progress through four phases of recovery. It is important for all members of the operative team to understand these phases and how they typically unfold for the recovering patient. Increasingly, education on a variety of preoperative and postoperative topics is taking place in the preoperative setting, and the more educated patients can be as they progress through each phase, the better prepared they will be to begin the journey of healing and recovery.

The most common patient motivation for breast reduction surgery is a desire to reduce physical symptoms related to breast hypertrophy. Physical symptoms may include back pain as well as neck, shoulder, arm, and breast pain. Following successful surgery, many patients experience relief from these symptoms and can remain asymptomatic even after years of follow-up.

Reduction mammoplasty is effective at reducing breast mass and, in turn, weight. This weight reduction decreases mechanical stresses such as changes in posture as well as stress and strains on the spine and lower back. Reduction of the breasts increases the versatility, intensity, and duration of physical activities and results in an overall enhancement of the individual and collective physical quality of life. Input from breast reduction patients agreed upon an improvement in physical quality of life, which mainly pertains to the aforementioned reduction in physical symptoms. Physical symptoms are also associated with psychological disturbances such as low self-esteem, high body dissatisfaction, and low self-efficacy.

The Early Phase of Recovery

Post-operatively, the first few days following a breast reduction procedure will include typical physical reactions. You can expect some discomfort, swelling, and mild bruising in the breast area. Your wounds will be bandaged and need to be kept clean and changed for the first 7 days. A small thin tube may have been placed during the surgery to help drain any excess fluid out of the breast; the nurse will advise you on how to care for this. Swelling is common after injury, and the body can try to increase blood flow to the tissues in the short term in an attempt to heal and repair damage. This can trigger more of the components of the inflammatory cycle and result in the feeling of swelling, heat, and a stretching discomfort. This experience will settle as your body heals, first moving unnoticeably and then more noticeably as the initial swelling resolves. During your surgery, your body’s responses are in activity deep in your breast tissues, and it’s important to allow them time to heal. As your body heals and the small blood capillaries in the tissue knit close and your lymphatic system drains the unneeded fluid away, this stretching pain settles from an uncomfortable feeling. The skin has also been lifted and draped again over the reshaped breast tissue. The breast skin has its own circulation and, in particular, after a breast reduction, there are times that the tissues present as needing just a little extra circulation to thrive. There are small nervous signals that can produce shooting feelings. Your nursing staff will ensure you have adequate analgesia and will provide instruction on how to care for your wound before you go home after surgery. Attendance at your 7–14 post-operative clinic appointment is essential so that the early outcome of your care will be reviewed. The few requirements detailed above need to be followed to best care for you in this early phase of healing. This instruction is general information and may differ in some details as per your surgeon’s advice. You may wish to make a pre-operative list of your questions to ensure these professionals are guiding your expected immediate post-operative recovery. Please prepare a list. Always keep in mind that you will adapt to manage this stage quite quickly. You have undergone general anaesthetic and have had surgery. You will be weak for a couple of weeks. You should not drive within the first 2 weeks of surgery.

The Later Phase of Recovery

After about three to four weeks of recovery, most breast reduction patients can gradually ease back into a normal lifestyle. During this time, you may still have emotional ups and downs with your recovery, but the rollercoaster seems to level out with each passing day. You are told to take it easy while the immediate, intense recovery period draws to a close. In general, after the first month, many of the physical changes or difficulties reverse or ease.
  • Your previous emotional state begins to level out. You may notice a return of fluctuating emotions or mild depression, which is common, but these brief episodes lessen in intensity and frequency.
  • Listen to your body. Today, some of your old personal restrictions, as well as those you have been given by your surgeon, will begin to lessen. As long as you respect your healing process and work within your limitations, you can function more like your old self as you recover from breast reduction surgery.
  • You may begin to develop the ‘itchies’ as nerve growth begins to surge at this point in your healing, especially with dissolving stitches. This is a totally normal part of healing. Your sensation of heat could return. Your energy levels will be back to normal, so try some light exercises like walking. If, until now, your nipples were oversensitive or numb, they will gradually move toward a more normal feeling sensation. Keep a lookout for these budding changes and distinguish between them and any unusual breast reduction complications or side effects. Let your doctor know if you have any concerns.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

In the days after breast reduction surgery, there are inevitable headaches and discomfort. Women healing from this surgery also express feelings of emotional vulnerability, sadness, disappointment, self-doubt, and powerlessness. Discomfort can often be managed by addressing the source: gas and bloating can occur due to the anesthesia and prescription pain medications given in the hospital. During the first 24 hours, walking can help. Practicing deep breathing and yoga postures at home can also be helpful. Since narcotics can cause and worsen constipation, some patients are advised to pair a stool softener with their narcotic pain medication. Patients often benefit from using over-the-counter medications. Some patients may naturally experience emotional triggers in their recovery process. Emotional difficulties following surgery are a common, undeniable truth; support is sometimes best found in community. In addition to independent small practices, there are many well-regarded therapists and counseling groups helping women overcome negative self-image and transition to a healed, healthy mindset. Family and friends can also become greater supports with open communication where love and respect are shared daily. Seven common emotional challenges following breast reduction surgery are sadness, disappointment, self-doubt, powerlessness, lack of support, and shock. If you feel too overwhelmed to manage a difficulty, please contact your doctor to set up an appointment for further exploration of your situation and your feelings. If needed, resources for finding a therapist that can help you personally can certainly be recommended. The long journey that is recovery after breast reduction surgery is a deeply personal one. At best, this article has shed some light on what you are moving through, may move through, or have moved through and given you some peace about your own progress. You have learned the details of recovering from breast reduction in the immediate healing, the engaging healing, and the punctual healing. But good things come to those who wait, and in time, most people see improvements that make the wait worth it. After the area heals and feels less sensitive, those who have had breast reduction surgery can expect a reduction in the level of physical discomfort they used to experience. This relief will improve over time as long as the body is well taken care of and the recommended measures are taken. It is likely that residual swelling and the discomfort associated with it will linger for some time and possibly even contribute to body image issues and low self-esteem, so it is best to manage all expectations moving forward. The outcome of breast reduction surgery is permanent, but bear in mind that aging, gravity, weight gain, and hormonal factors are all likely to continue to influence the appearance of your breasts along your journey of recovery. It is best to accept some new stretch marks as battle scars rather than viewing them in a negative light. Aim to keep your wits and treat your body kindly; once a year, your cosmetic surgeon will provide a familiar health consult including checks to see if the supplemental work you have had is working well enough for your health.

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