20 Days Post Op. Is It Too Early to Start Massaging my Scars? And When Will Swelling Decrease to be the Final Result? (photo)

It’s not unusual for patients to have significant
swelling following breast reduction surgery.The majority of this swelling resolves in 3 to 6 weeks.However, small amounts of residual swelling
may persist for up to 3 to 6 months following surgery.As swelling resolves patients often note a
corresponding decrease in breast size.In most cases this is a relatively minor change.We
generally don’t recommend breast massage in the immediate post-operative
period.This procedure dramatically
alters the breast architecture and massage might create shear forces that might
disrupt the internal healing and lead to seromas, bleeding and hematomas.In the late post-operative period massage is
appropriate and will help soften breast tissue.It’s
important that you discuss this issue with your plastic surgeon before starting
massage in the immediate post-operative period.Your surgeon understands the specifics of your operation and will be
able to provide you with appropriate direction.

I would not recommend massaging the scars till six weeks post surgery. This is because you can snap the internal stitches if you massage too early. By six weeks most of the stitches have dissolved and the scar is also strong enough not to get stretched by massaging it. You should have a very nice result.

Thank you for your question.  Swelling after a breast reduction and final results will take 6-12 months.  I encourage my patients to massage their scars and use silicone sheets 3 weeks post op.  Discuss ypur concerns with your surgeon and follow his recommendations. Best Wishes. 

You should ask your surgeon these questions for their answers, because they know more about your situation. If your incisions aren't crusty and have closed properly, then  you may start scar creams. For swelling, it can take several months for all of it to subside, but the majority of it will disappear in three or four months. Once swelling has subsided, your breasts may decrease in size a bit. 

Yes, it may take several weeks for the swelling to go down and the tissues to settle.  I suggest to may patients to start gentle massage the day after surgery.  However, you should consult with your surgeon and follow their directions.

 

Good Luck.

Great questions. I typically ask patients to wait at least 4 weeks before they start massaging the scars, as the incisions are still young and take about 6 weeks to reach full strength. We want to make sure they are strong enough to withhold massages before you start massaging them. However, you can start applying silicone gel to the incision 2-3 weeks after the surgery once it's healed on the surface, and that doesn't hurt anything.

Swelling overall can sometimes take 6 months to go away, though the vast majority of the swelling, about 90% of it, goes away in the first month after surgery.

Given that you're still fresh postop, the breasts may reduce slightly more in size as all of the swelling goes away.

-Dr. David Mattos, New York Plastic Surgical Group

Your breast will go down in size in the next couple of months of about 20% but this depends on the technique used. 
If your wound are dry and healed you can start to gently massage all the scars. 

Thank you for your questions and for providing the photos - and congratulations on a nice result!Every surgeon gives different but specific post operative instructions - it important that you follow your PS's wound care advice and if you don't know what that is, please call their offices to find out. I ask my patients to start massaging their scars three weeks after surgery using either bio-oil, Vitamin E cream or silicone gel.In terms of swelling, there will be some further reduction in swelling for the first few months after surgery and I find that you have a pretty good idea how things are going to end up by 6 months down the track.I hope this helps.

3 weeks after breast reduction is a good time to start massaging the scars (with simple sorbolene would do as there is no scientific basis of other marketed products, except sunscreens) provided that the wounds have healed well and it's not too uncomfortable to do so. The swelling will continue to improve in the next few weeks and the end result will become clear in a few months time.
Wishing you the best in your journey.
Dr Leo Kim, Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney 

Hi and congratulations on your breast reduction.  Your PS is best qualified to advise you as to whether it is appropriate to begin applying scar creams and massaging your incisions as each surgeon has his/her own specific recommendations for pre- and post-operative care.  Swelling can last for about 12 months but by 3-6 months patients can really begin to get a good idea as to what their final results will be.  As you continue to heal and move further along in your recovery you will find that the appearance of your breasts will change slightly as things begin to settle.  You will find that volume distribution may change and that your incisions will continue to soften and lighten until they reach full maturity at approximately 1 year post-op.  Please be sure to discuss your questions with your board certified PS at your next follow up and do not be afraid to call his/her office with any questions in the interim.  Congratulations again and I wish you all of the best!