Breast reduction surgery isn’t as painful as it might sound and, on the contrary, the procedure can help end months or years of upper and lower back pain caused by breasts that are too large for one’s frame.
Breast reduction surgery is usually done under general anesthesia (MayoClinic), and it is followed by the use of prescription pain medication as needed. Any pain or soreness after the procedure typically lasts from 2-3 days.
It might be rather frightening or nerve-racking to decide to get breast reduction surgery. When making this choice, pain is one of the main worries that patients have. What other side effects can you anticipate throughout the healing period, and how painful is a breast reduction procedure? We’ve listed everything you can expect in this blog.
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What happens during breast reduction surgery?
Before we dive into the recovery process, we’ll touch on some of the basics of the procedure.
In order to decrease the size of each breast to the desired size, the surgeon will make an incision in the breast and remove extra breast tissue, fat, and skin. The surgeon will next relocate the areola and nipple and contour the breast.
During a breast reduction operation, a lollipop incision and an anchor incision are both employed. During a lollipop incision, the area surrounding the areola is cut, then the incision is turned downward and into the crease of the breast.
A circular incision around the areola, a downward bend toward the breast crease, and an extension lengthwise along the crease make up an anchor incision.
In accordance with your present size and intended size, your surgeon will choose the best surgical procedure based on your goals.
Who might consider breast reduction surgery?
You may want to think about having a breast reduction operation if you feel any of the symptoms linked to having big breasts, including:
- Chronic shoulder, back, and neck ache brought on by the weight of your breasts.
- Owing to the size, the rash or skin irritation beneath the breasts has persisted over time.
- Physical exertion that is restricted.
- Low self-esteem or self-image.
- Bad posture.
- Extra drooping or sagging skin.
- Fitting into bras and garments is more difficult or uncomfortable.
How long is recovery from breast reduction surgery?
A significant surgical operation like a breast reduction requires recovery time in order to heal correctly.
A breast reduction is often performed as an outpatient operation, allowing you to return home the same day.
For at least the first few days of recuperation, it is advised that you have someone help you at home since it will be difficult for you to carry out everyday duties on your own.
After the first few days, things will become simpler. You should start to feel much better in about a week after the initial procedure. Nevertheless, you will still need to take it easy for two to three weeks after surgery by avoiding heavy lifting and vigorous exercise.
How painful is breast reduction surgery?
It’s very normal and understandable to be concerned about the discomfort of a major surgical treatment. The amount of discomfort you will experience following a breast reduction treatment is difficult to predict since everyone recovers differently and has a distinct healing process.
You should be aware, nevertheless, that the degree of your breast reduction treatment might influence how much discomfort you feel throughout the postoperative healing time. The healing period may be lengthier and more painful if you are having a more comprehensive reduction that involves removing a significant quantity of tissue.
The good news is that you can control the discomfort while you heal since it is just temporary. Along with additional medications or prescriptions like antibiotics, your surgeon will give you painkillers to consume throughout your recuperation.
The most difficult days will undoubtedly be the first few following surgery, but after that, the discomfort should start to lessen until you feel entirely normal again. That said, if you do feel some discomfort that is considered abnormal, it’s always recommended to reach out to your surgeon directly.
Reducing pain after breast reduction surgery
Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions to the letter is the greatest approach to reduce discomfort following breast reduction surgery. To begin with, take your medicine as prescribed in order to control your discomfort and avoid infections. Additionally, you must follow your surgeon’s instructions about how to put on and remove your compression garment.
Unexpectedly, moving about after your treatment might help to lessen discomfort. While it may seem contradictory, moving about increases blood flow, which speeds up the healing process. In addition to this, make sure to follow your surgeon’s recommendations and steer clear of intense exercise.
Breast reduction is extremely helpful for a lot of patients and in some cases provides patients with life-changing results. Don’t let the pain scare you off from inquiring or getting this surgery. Like any cosmetic treatments, pain or discomfort may happen, but at the end of the day if you follow your experts instructions you should have a smooth recovery period.
