Left Breast Appears More Swollen After Breast Reduction

Question

My drains and bandages were just removed and now it looks like my left breast is much bigger than the right. Could it just be more swollen? Is this something to worry about? And how long should it take for the swelling to leave? Does it mean I'm not resting enough?

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

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.

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

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

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD · Answer

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.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	If you notice significant asymmetry between the two breasts  after breast reduction surgery,  you may need to call your surgeon for a relatively urgent evaluation  to rule out a fluid accumulation ( hematoma or seroma).

	Best wishes.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

If you jsut had your drains removed you are very early post-op and there may be differential swelling between the breasts. Give it some time.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Forget the photos! Sure they would help, but from your posting GO SEE THE SURGEON ASAP! Sounds like a hematoma of the left breast! If not than maybe a poor surgery.

	Sorry, From MIAMI DR. B

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

Without photographs to rely on all we can do is generalize. Although Breast symmetry rarely exists before and after breast operations, a good Plastic surgeons always tries to minimize the asymmetry as much as possible. I seriously doubt that your surgeons left the OR with a huge asymmetry between your breasts. As such, the question is do you have a bleed into your left breast which would make it larger? A drain will NOT stop a bleed.

	Go see you surgeon immediately as this MAY need to be re operated on and be evacuated. If there is no bleeding, he will be glad to explain the asymmetry to you.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD · Answer

I usually tell patients not to look at their breasts critically until 4-6 weeks or even more. Things are changing too much to make accurate assessments. You'll just drive yourself nuts. You and your surgeon should simply observe whether you are healing normal and wait until everything is more or less stable to assess the aesthetic results.

Left Breast Appears More Swollen After Breast Reduction

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