How Long After Breast Reduction Surgery Are Breasts Swollen?

Two weeks is very early after a breast reduction--you will certainly still have a lot of the expected and normal postoperative edema.  I typically tell patients that postoperative swelling resolves slowly; maybe 80% is resolved within 6-8 weeks, but the rest may take up to 6-8 months to resolve.  Be patient!

At 2 weeks you are very early after surgery to judge the outcome.  However, it may not be possible to go all the way down to a C cup from an F cup. There are limitations based on the amount of tissue that must be preserved to maintain circulation and sensation to the nipple, and allow for healing of the skin. It is best under these circumstances to tell your board certified plastic surgeon that you would like to get as close to a C cup as possible, and let them reshape your breast at the time of surgery to the size that is most appropriate based on your anatomy. Then you will get the best breast shape that can be achieved, and maximize the chances of a risk free recovery!

While it can vary between patients based on background medical conditions and magnitude of the breast reduction itself, in general it's wise to expect at least 6-8 weeks post op before the majority of swelling to subside and probably 2-3 months before the final size & shape to start maturing. Any further post operative weight fluctuation can also influence the final size of the surgical outcome during this particular time frame.

Hope that helps.





Best wishes





Ellis Choy

Swelling following breast reduction can take several weeks to resolve. It can take up to 6-12 months before you see the final result in terms of shape and size.  If your breast reduction has fallen short of your expectations, additional surgery can further enhance the result, but most plastic surgeons would recommend waiting at least a year before doing any additional surgery.  Consult your own plastic surgeon about any concerns you have regarding your breast size and post -operative swelling. Good luck to you.

Thank you for your question.
You may still have some swelling. Give it some time. Contact your surgeon with any questions or concerns. Best wishes!

Swelling is a normal part of the recovery process after breast reduction surgery, and it typically lasts for several weeks to months. At two weeks post-op, it’s still common to experience noticeable swelling, which can make the breasts appear larger than expected. In general, the majority of the swelling will subside within the first 4-6 weeks, but some residual swelling may persist for up to 3-4 months. It's important to be patient and allow time for the body to heal fully, as the final shape and size of the breasts will become more evident after about 3-6 months. I advise my patients to not buy lots of new bras until about 3 months since there may be some minor swelling (even 5-10%) at that period.
If you’re concerned that your breasts are still too large despite the swelling, it's worth waiting at least 3-6 months before reassessing. If, after the swelling has subsided, you’re still unhappy with the size, there are options such as revision surgery or additional tissue removal. Your surgeon will be the best person to guide you through the next steps, as it's essential to give the body time to heal and fully settle before making any decisions about further procedures.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHS
Harvard, Hopkins, and Mayo Clinic Trained
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
New York, New York

Breast reduction recovery happens over 4 to 6 weeks after the surgery. As time goes on, you will see a steady decline in swelling. By week 6, the majority of your swelling should be gone. However, it can last up to 3-4 months. If your swelling persists longer than 4 months, you should talk to your surgeon about your concerns. Best of luck to you.

Hi there, this is a great question. At 2 weeks out, you are still very swollen. You probably aren’t going to see your final outcome for 2-3 months. After 2-3 months time, your size is pretty much going to be what it’s going to be. At that time you can assess whether you’re too big or too small.

A breast reduction operation will have post operative swelling in first few weeks. The patients are advised to use surgical bra regularly in initial few weeks. Swelling starts to improve from week 2 and continues to get better. By 6-8 weeks majority of the welling can be down but overall swelling takes unto 6 months to go down. Continued use of surgical bra is helpful in getting the swelling to go down.

You will wake up from your procedure and for the first few days your breasts will be swollen and tender. However, the vast majority of our patients tell us that they are not as sore as they thought they would be. We recommend you relax from daily responsibilities and arrange for extra help around the house for the first one to two weeks. For the first 4 weeks, it is still recommended you keep your level of activity light. You will still need to continue to wear your post-operative bra during this time. Avoid lifting >5kg and housework such as vacuuming, mopping, hanging washing on the line. Activities such as this will increase postop swelling and can potentially cause bleeding to occur. At six weeks, you wil have a good idea of your size and some women are able to shop for new bras at that time.
As time passes, you will notice the change in shape over the next few months you will be able to enjoy your new look.

The short answer to this question is three months. In general, two weeks is not enough time for swelling to resolve after any surgery.If for some reason, your breasts are still too big after reduction surgery, sometimes some excess tissue can be removed in the office under local (uncomfortable) or in the operating room (surgery.)  Or sometimes some liposuction can be done in the office under local. It is always easier to remove some extra tissue and very difficult to add tissue if the breasts are too small.