How long after a breast reduction can I start to massage them?

I think that it is best for you to discuss post-op care for your breast reduction with your surgeon. Every surgeon is a bit different and instructions will vary.

Itchniess after breast reduction surgery can be related to the adhesive in your dressings (an allergic response) or to the normal course of your wound healing. Your inflammatory cells release Histamine in response to wound healing or an allergic reaction- this is the chemical in our body that makes us itch. If the itch is related to the dressing, then the best thing to do is to gently remove it and replace it with a similar tape but a different brand. At 5 days after surgery, my patients use paper tape (Micropore). If your wounds are sealed and there is no oozing, you don't need any dressings. You can gently rub your breasts if you find that soothing. I would not start rubbing the scars until 2 weeks after the surgery. 

This question needs to be answered by your surgeon.I'm not a big fan of massaging tissue during the early healing process. The tissues need to stick together and heal. Moving things around does not help, in my opinion.Surgeons differ on this topic.I use the guidelines of don't do anything that is uncomfortable.For my own patients, I don't have a problem with them using skin lotions or oils on their skin after surgery.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.

As you are just over 3 weeks post-op from your breast reduction surgery, it is best if you contact your surgeon's office to review post op massage. Generally, before you massage, all your incisions need to be well healed and your sutures shortened. It is not uncommon to have some swelling in the post op course but on occasion a patient can have a fluid collection which needs to be drained. Again, a physical exam by your surgeon will answer this. Itching is a common sign of healing and gentle massaging away from the suture lines with a hypoallergenic cream can relieve it. If your pain is due to residual swelling, it should resolve over the next few weeks. On your next post op visit, write a list of all your questions so that you can be certain of your surgeon's preferred post op instructions.