If you are considering breast reduction surgery, you probably have a lot of questions about what the surgery consists of, how painful the procedure is and how quickly you will be back to your normal activities after surgery. The good news is that for most patients, recovery is quick and a return to normal activities--such as bathing and showering--is often possible in a matter of days.
An Overview of Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction surgery involves the surgical removal of fat, glandular tissue and skin, with the expected result of reducing both the physical size and the weight of the breasts.
Breast reduction surgery is often recommended for people--yes, men as well as women--whose large breasts are interfering with their health or daily activities. People with overly large breasts can experience back and shoulder pain, persistent rashes, grooves in the shoulders caused by bra straps, and can even find it impossible to participate in certain athletic and other activities. For these people, the risks and pain associated with surgery are often outweighed by the benefits of reduced breast size.
Breast reduction surgery can be either an outpatient or an inpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. Full recovery can take several weeks to a couple months.
Post-Surgery
After a breast reduction surgery, the breasts will be dressed with gauze or elastic bandages to protect sutures and alleviate pain. Additionally, tubes may be inserted under each arm in order to drain blood or fluids to reduce swelling and pain.
The surgeon will typically remove the initial dressings, sutures and any necessary tubes in a post-operative office visit, typically scheduled within a couple of days to a week after the surgery. Until this post-operative visit, normal activities such as bathing, showering may not be recommended.
Resuming Normal Activities
Resuming your normal activities after breast reduction surgery often depends on what your normal activities are. While you can expect to return to bathing and showering within a week after surgery, at the most, other activities may have to wait.
Your surgeon may advise you to avoid strenuous exercise and activity, such as swimming, basketball, golf or other sports, for up to 2 months. Less strenuous exercise may be resumed within a couple of weeks, depending on your condition and your doctor's orders, and the medications you have been prescribed.
You will probably be advised not to drive for 48 hours to 7 days after your procedures, depending on your condition and the medications you are taking.
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