How soon after Breast Reduction will I start to look normal?

Question

I know that when people first have their breast reduction, they're swollen and sometimes feel like their breasts are bigger than before they went into surgery. Then the swelling goes down. How many days does it take before they start to look like themselves?

Mark A. Deuber, MD · Answer

Breast reduction is one of the highest satisfaction procedures in plastic surgery.Immediately after the operation, breast reduction patients should feel and look better.  They will have immediate improvement in weight distribution and decrease back strain.  Their breasts will be smaller and more proportional to their frame.That being said, most patients, in the early post operative period, will experience breast swelling and pain.  The breasts may look a little tight/flat in the lower pole and appear a little "boxy".  The incisions may look a little puckered and the nipple and areola may be swollen.  These findings will all be temporary; by 6-8 weeks the breast swelling should be substantially resolved and the breasts should be assuming a more natural rounded appearance.It can take up to 3 months for every last bit of swelling to resolve, but most patients can begin shopping for new permanent bras by about 6 weeks after surgery.

Rahim Nazerali, MD · Answer

Swelling after breast surgery is common. It's true that it can take several months for the swelling to subside and for the breasts to settle into their final shape. Remember that breasts continue to change over time even after the swelling has subsided. Normally, I tell patients that it will take 3 months for the breast swelling to completely subside and 6 months for the breasts to stabilize into their eventual location.

Lois Wagstrom, MD · Answer

Breasts take about 6-8 weeks  literally to start relaxing into shape and for most of the swelling to be gone. One side can also swell more than another. Normally we advise our patients to wait about 3 months to spend  money on an expensive bra due to changes in shape and size.  It will take normally a full year to completely know what you will look and how your scars will heal.

James E. Leake, MD (retired) · Answer

it will take 2 to 3 months to allow the tissue to recover from the surgery. as time progresses, the breasts will take on a more natural shape.

How soon after Breast Reduction will I start to look normal?

Answers (4)

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