Underarm Swelling Normal After BL/BA? (photo)

            Patients
undergoing breast augmentation with breast lift can anticipate significant
swelling in the immediate postoperative period. This swelling resolves quickly
with the vast majority being gone in about three weeks. Almost all of the
visible swelling is gone in 4 to 6 weeks, but small amounts of residual
swelling may be present for up to 3 to 4 months following surgery.

            Compression
bras and dressings are frequently used following breast augmentation with
breast lift to minimize swelling. Swelling can add to a patient’s postoperative
discomfort. It can also increase anxiety regarding breast size immediately
after surgery.

             For
these reasons, we feel it’s important for the patient and the surgeon to have
good communication regarding this topic immediately following surgery. In this
situation, a little reassurance can go a long way towards making this a more
comfortable experience.

 

Swelling in the area is normal after surgery, but if the area feels excessively warm to the touch or appeared suddenly, you should notify your surgeon. Please ask your surgeon about a compression garment as well, which could help with the swelling.

The photo demonstrates a fairly typical appearance to the breast two weeks after a mastopexy. Any contour issues should improve with time as the swelling subsides.

    After a full breast lift and breast augmentation, lateral chest wall pain is very common.  In the absence of a fluid collection or hematoma, swelling is normal to have in this area. 

Given your previous surgery and combining your augmentation with TT, it is not uncommon to have this swelling. As long as it does not seem to be progressing then it should begin to resolve. It likely will be about 6 weeks from surgery before it has all but gone. I usually recommend lymphatic massage to people who have persistent swelling. Your breast tissue probably just has some impaired "drainage" from the previous reduction. The lymphatic massage might help open up new channels and speed up the process. Either way, my guess is that it will be fine. My only other suggestion would be to not try and be too active too quickly. The more lifting and exercise you do, the more swelling you may get. Hang in there. Best of Luck!