After Breast Reduction surgery
Duration of surgery The operation usually lasts 2-3 hours, depending on the size of the breast.
pre-operational check
the preoperative examination will be done in the hospital or elsewhere by appointment.
medicines
you will get antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and painkillers for the house. the corresponding medicines will be given to you in the operating room during the operation and you will continue them after your discharge from the hospital.
hospital stay
you usually stay one night, occasionally two.
bandages
when you wake up you will have simple bandages and you will not be able to see the shape of the chest. the bandages will be changed in 1-2 days and you will use a sports bra for a few days. small stickers on the wounds will go away with your bath.
cleanliness
washing in the bath or shower, will begin as soon as the gauze and drains are removed, in 1-2 days. in your bathroom you will slowly start massaging with the foam to quickly return to your daily routine.
drains
may take 24 – 48 hours. are used to flush out any unwanted fluid after surgery.
bra
you should, in the 1st change, bring a soft or sports bra, in the planned new size. you will probably need two bras at home to always wear one clean when washing the other. the circumference of the chest may increase by 3-5 cm due to swelling in the first 2-3 weeks and you may need to use a larger number at the beginning.
time out of work
allow at least 1 week out of work. the return is varied in different patients and the intensity of your work plays a big role. in manual work you have to wait at least 2 weeks.
athletic activities
you can start simple daily activities during the week but in the gym you can exercise in about 1 month. These times, of course, are indicative and depend on the endurance of each patient, and may vary from woman to woman.
postoperative instructions
in the 1st week you should start slowly and give yourself a chance to come back. you should not take care of young children or do chores at home without help.
in the 2nd week you can start doing more such as free walking, shopping etc. if all the wounds are healthy you can increase your activity as long as you feel well.
at the end of the 4th week you should be able to do everything.
restoration and end result
you should expect some bruising and related swelling in the chest. this will take 2-3 weeks. your breasts will be slightly tighter and higher than expected. you will have a good shape immediately, but it will normalize and become more natural from 4 to 6 weeks and will continue to improve until beyond 6 months.
driving
Although you may feel able to drive from the first week, it is advisable to wait for the first 3-4 weeks and drive only when you are without pain and restrictions.
monitoring
after leaving the hospital, we will be in touch by phone. I will check you for a change of bandages on the 2nd or 3rd day and at the end of the 1st week. once again in 4 weeks for photography and final instructions.