Can anyone tell me why my breast still feel hard after breast reduction surgery one week ago?

By lroderick410 on 05 Mar 2013

I realize that swelling is normal after any surgery. I had breast reduction 1 week ago and my breast feel hard and stiff with very little reduction in swelling. I feel like I have 2 cups glued to my chest. It's feels very cumbersome and un natural. I did not have implants. Any advice from anyone who has been through this?

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Ems123 15 Mar 2013

I'm 2 weeks post op today and think I'm still quite swelled! I drove to my friends yesterday and went for something to eat and last night/ this morning I feel a lot more sore and swelled than I usually do! I'm back at work on Monday though so guess I'm just going to have to put up with it! Meeting with my PS today so going to ask him whether it has an effect on the overall healing and if I need more time off because of this! If I meal out made me feel sore and tired I dread to think what a full week in work is going to do!

lroderick410 15 Mar 2013

I can tell the swelling goes down just a bit everyday. I'm not sure whether certain foods effect this or not. I feel a lot of burning and stinging which I believe is part of the healing process. The incisions have their own kind of pain as well. Aleve and Tylenol is all I am taking which help some. While the appearence looks good, the healing process seems to take alot longer in order to actually feel better.

patsfan1231 14 Mar 2013

It takes many weeks for the swelling to go away. I am 10 weeks post-op and they are finally feeling softer! Mine were very firm for many weeks, worse if I over did the activity/exercise/housework and worse/tender from hormones with my period. The boxy strange shape changed around week 6 and my breasts are currently a very decent shape, still a little firm but not hard & tight anymore. Hang in there!

sarahnc 13 Mar 2013

My surgery was ten days ago, and I'm experiencing swelling and soreness on the sides of my breasts where the lipo was done. There are weird hard spots...kind of under my armpits. It's very uncomfortable, and I feel like my chest is huge compared to right after surgery. My breasts aren't very hard or sore in front. I don't have any advice. I'm hoping others do!

lroderick410 13 Mar 2013

Well, I do think the swelling is going down slowly from what it was a week ago. However, my breasts still feel firmer and more swollen than I would like them to be. I guess I need to be more patient with process. I also have a numb area on the right side which hasn't changed too much since surgery. I hope the numbness will go away once the swelling goes down. I didn't have any Lipo under the armpits. I guess that makes the healing even more prolonged in that area. I've been alternating Extra Strenght Tylenol and Aleve. They seem to help some. I was wondering about a heating pad on the lowest setting.I can't take the Percocet it makes me sick and goofy.

sarahnc 13 Mar 2013

I hope you feel better soon!

WIncredible 13 Mar 2013

I was quite swollen for the first two weeks and didn't even realize it. I am into my third week after surgery now and the tightness has lessened, although I mostly feel it when I shower now and right after...I don't know if it is my skin contracting or what. The other thing I think is that I just had such large, floppy breasts for so long that any tightness would feel foreign to me.

lroderick410 13 Mar 2013

I am 2 wks post op today and must admit that I feel better than I did a week ago. However, still swollen just as you indicated at 2 wks. Still very swollen with a numb area across the right breast. Lots of pins and needles sensations and burning as well to both breasts. Thanks for the feedback. This post op experience is something the physician doesn't tell you in your consultation.

lfbfree 11 Mar 2013

Hi. Try using ice or frozen peas tucked inside a pillow case. I moved the cold pack around every 10 to 15 minutes. I found so much relief in doing this and my swelling reduced quickly. My breasts were extremely firm, high and uncomfortable for the first few weeks. At 6 weeks post op they are finally beginning to feel like they might be mine rather than aliens perched on my ribcage. ( :

lroderick410 12 Mar 2013

Thanks for the response. Some swelling has gone down but, they are still very sore, tender and full. I also have a numb area whereby I have no feeling. I hope all these strange sensations go away soon. Thanks again for your reply.

lucy_catgirl 12 Mar 2013

I hats to tell you this but 1 week out, you will feel this way. I'm 10 weeks out and they have finally both dropped and feel softer. There are still times when I have that numbness in the incision area, even now. The swelling takes a long time to go down. One word of warning, my PS told me not to ice to often or for to long because it inhibits blood flow and that is needed for nerve endings to heal. I know its frustrating but hang in there. I found fresh pineapple helped a great deal with the swelling. It has bromelain, a natural extract that is an anti-inflammatory. Good luck and Congrats on your BR!