Left Breast Appears More Swollen After Breast Reduction

I am a little confused. Who removed your dressings and drains and did you discuss this with them? It could be normal swelling or it could be a hematoma but that question should have been answered at that time. I asm assuming it is normal swelling because your care taker did not comment or recommend treatment.

Hi there-

It would be important for you to call your surgeon's office right away under these circumstances, because this could mean you have a hematoma (a collection of bloody fluid) on the larger side.

Once this is ruled out as a cause of the difference in size, then a discussion with your surgeon would be appropriate to determine the cause and its management.

Unequal swelling after surgery is not uncommon.  If the swelling is not due to a hematoma (collection of blood) then the swelling will resolve naturally.  The time frame varies from patient to patient.  Make sure you follow your surgeon's directions.

Dr. ES

Without a picture, it is hard to give you an accurate idea.  However, it is not uncommon to have asymmetry right after this type of surgery.  One side can swell more than the other side, and it can take a month or two for everything to settle, go down from the edema.  I would address it with your surgeon, but this early in the recovery period it is probably normal.

It is way to soon after your surgery to worry about size differences.  If you are just having your bandages removed then you are very fresh post op.  Save yourself the headache and put it out of your mind for awhile.  Tell yourself that you are not going to make comparisons or get worried for at least 3 months.  By that time all the swelling should be resolved and the tissues settled.  Good luck.