Immediately following breast reduction surgery, swelling, pain, bruising and tenderness are all normal. These complications can last for several weeks and sometimes longer, but should diminish over time. Most complications can be controlled through medication prescribed by the plastic surgeon.

To help with the healing process, a post-operative bra, compression bandage or athletic bra is often recommended to provide additional support during recovery. However, compared to an athletic bra, the post-operative surgical bra is often easier to put on and take off for changing bandages and to launder. The surgical bra is worn 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the first several weeks after surgery.

The surgeon will usually insert one or more drains (plastic or rubber tubes) into the breast or underarm area. The drains remove blood and lymph fluid that accumulates during healing. At home, patients may need to empty pouches attached to the drains. Women should alert their physician about any problems that arise, such as a large swelling of tissue. This swelling may be due to excess underlying fluid. This is rare, and fluid can be extracted with a needle in a procedure known as aspiration. Drains usually remain in place for several days following surgery. They are then removed once the drainage has subsided. 

Symptoms that might indicate an infection, such as fever or redness of the breast, should be reported and evaluated by a physician as soon as possible. Patients should discuss issues such as scarring, pain and recovery time with their surgeon as these vary considerably among individuals. Most patients find that they are able to get up and around within 48 hours.

Although it can take several weeks to fully recover, many women are able to return to work in two to three weeks as long as they are not required to lift more than 10 pounds. Full recovery generally takes five to six weeks, but complete healing can take several months. During that time, a woman who has undergone breast reduction may find that her breasts are tender and sensitive or even swollen and bruised, especially during the initial recovery period.

In addition, for premenopausal women, the first menstruation following surgery may cause breasts to swell and can increase the tenderness or discomfort in the area. Occasional shooting pains in the breasts following reduction surgery is normal and can last for several months after the procedure.

Although much of the swelling and bruising will be gone after the first few weeks, it may take six months or more before a woman’s breasts completely settle into their new shape. However, even after a year, a woman may find that her breasts will change in relation to weight changes or hormonal shifts, such as pregnancy.

Exercise, especially aerobic activity, should be held off a minimum of two to three weeks to reduce the risk of bleeding, swelling and bruising. Other exercise that includes weightlifting or contact sports should not resume for at least four weeks. Breast reduction patients are advised to avoid sex for at least one to two weeks as the sexual arousal of the breasts can cause them to swell and place stress and possibly painful pressure on the incisions.

The scarring from the incisions will be pink and hard for several weeks. Afterward, in a process that may take many months, the scars will begin to fade and possibly even appear to widen (flatten) some. Eventually, most scars will fade but not disappear entirely.

Breast reduction surgery will change the size, shape and amount of breast tissue a woman has. For this reason, women who elect to have this procedure are advised to have a preoperative mammogram as well as a postoperative mammogram within six months to a year following surgery to allow for comparison.