As much as many women would like to have larger breasts, it is easy to forget that there are also some problems that come with having a more voluptuous figure. Women with naturally large breasts often find that it leads to physical and self-esteem issues. Female breasts are also affected by factors like genetics, hormonal changes, weight gain, and the use of certain drugs that can cause overdevelopment.
When the breasts become overly large, they can cause physical pain and discomfort, such as back and neck pain and shoulder grooving. One solution to these difficulties is breast reduction surgery.
By undergoing a breast reduction procedure, the size of your breasts can be decreased through the removal of excess fat, breast tissue, and skin from the breast area. It is a helpful operation, but any type of surgery is something that requires some thoughtful consideration and preparation to ensure that you make the right decision and get the best results from your procedure.
To begin, it is helpful to know what to expect after you have undergone breast reduction surgery. This will help the process be as stress-free as possible while you are healing and recovering. Is also helpful to make some preparations for both your surgery and recovery period.
Your Surgery Shopping List
To ensure that you have a smooth experience after your breast reduction surgery is critical to first make some preparations, as you will definitely not be in any condition to scramble and play catch-up after your procedure.
Here are a few items that you might want to consider for your post-operative shopping list:
Triangular Wedge Pillow
Most of us have a preferred sleep position, but you will need to sleep on your back for a few weeks after your surgery. If you do not normally sleep comfortably on your back, you should consider buying an angled wedge pillow. If you find a good one, it should be both comfortable and wide enough to prevent you from tossing and turning during the night.
Zip-Front Sports Bra
If your doctor recommends that you wear a certain type of surgical bra after your breast reduction surgery, you will want to stick with that. Eventually, you’ll probably need to wear a wire-free sports bra for a few months.
Even though standard overhead bras are available, you may want to consider a zip front option. This will make taking your bra on and off much easier. It is both cost-effective and sturdy enough to provide support. In the early stages after your surgery, you probably want to avoid spending too much on high-end bras, since your breasts won’t settle into their eventual sizes for a few months after your surgery.
Scar Cream
Ask your surgeon if there is a scar cream that they recommend. Many plastic surgeons recommend some type of scar reduction cream containing silicone, as silicone is known to quickly regenerate collagen within the skin.
Infusion Water Bottle
This one comes down more to preference than necessity. It is recommended that you remain hydrated in the weeks after your surgery. This will help your body, particularly your skin, remain healthy and begin recovering and regenerating from your surgery.
An infusion water bottle will allow you to add flavors to your water so that you are more inclined to drink plenty of water while you are recovering. Tasty flavors like strawberry, lemon, mango, kiwis, and more are available to make drinking water more enjoyable, rather than something that you have to do.
Comfort Foods
Shopping for groceries is going to be near the bottom of things you will want to do after the ordeal of a surgical procedure. So stock up early on your favorite foods. You might want to focus on frozen foods that do not require any preparation on your part. Some great post-up snacks include pudding, Jell-O, and fruit. You can also pre-cook your meals and freeze them so that they are ready to be microwaved whenever you like.
Ice Packs
You will definitely be experiencing some swelling after your breast reduction surgery. Having some ice packs on hand will help minimize the swelling.
Makeup Removal Pads and Wet Wipes
In the first few days after your breast reduction surgery, your mobility will be limited and you will not be able to shower. So these should help you stay fresh and clean during this time.
Movies and Books
You’ll be spending plenty of time reclining and resting during your recovery, so make sure to have some good movies and books on hand so that you can stay entertained during your downtime.
The Bottom Line
Although recovering from breast reduction surgery is never an easy thing, making some simple preparations can help to smooth the process for you. So incorporate some of these recommendations into your own personalized shopping list. Before you know it, you’ll be back up on your feet and be able to appreciate your improved contours and figure.
Week One
You will begin recovering immediately after your breast reduction surgery. This is an outpatient procedure involving general anesthesia. Your doctor will form incisions on your breasts, removing excess glandular tissue and fat from them. After your surgeon has finished trimming excess breast skin and suturing the incisions closed, you will wait for the anesthesia to wear off in the recovery area.
Once you return home, the greatest discomfort will be felt during the first two or three days. Pain relief medication will be provided to you to help you become more comfortable.
The first 72 hours are critical to your recovery and results. Do not sleep on your stomach during this time. Although your breasts will be swollen, this swelling should fade over the following weeks.
You may have some drain tubes, medically known as cannulas, inserted into your breasts to drain fluid and blood away from the area of the incisions. You will also need to wear a compression bra after your breast reduction for a specified amount of time.
Be sure to take any medications, such as antibiotics, as directed by your plastic surgeon during this time to avoid infection. You will also need to get up and take a brief walk every few hours to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Week Two
When it comes to your recovery after breast reduction, Week Two is critical. It is important to avoid working during this time so that you can concentrate on your healing and recovery. While your incisions are healing, avoid vigorous physical activity.
Continue avoiding sleeping on your belly during this time. You may sleep on your back or side. You should also experience some reduced swelling during this time, but some will remain.
Week Three
You can resume work during this time unless it involves strenuous physical activity. In that case, take off another two weeks from work. You should start feeling significantly better during this time frame, with greatly diminished discomfort.
Your breasts will appear smaller, although more swelling will need to diminish before complete results are noticeable. You can also resume sleeping on your belly by this time for short periods.
Weeks Five to Six
Your swelling should be mostly gone by this time. Your surgery will have eliminated pain and discomfort associated with large breasts, as well as enhancing your body contours. This period is when you will start getting that self-esteem reward for having breast reduction surgery.
Continue wearing your compression bra throughout this time. You are still about three weeks away from seeing the final results of your surgery.
