Breast reduction issues. What can be done to help with the hardness and lumps?

This is an excellent question. Depending on how long after surgery you started experiencing symptoms, you may have something called fat necrosis. It is important to see your plastic surgeon who performed the breast reduction operation to have an exam and for the surgeon to examine your breasts. A mammogram or ultrasound may be needed to better characterize the lumps.
Fat necrosis is a condition that can occur after breast reduction surgery. It is a complication in which the fatty breast tissue dies, and can lead to the formation of lumps or nodules in the breast that may be painful, tender, or hard. For large breast reductions, the risk of fat necrosis is higher.
The treatment options for fat necrosis after breast reduction surgery depend on the severity of the condition and the symptoms you are experiencing. Mild cases may resolve on their own with time, while more severe cases may require medical treatment.
Depending on how far out from surgery you are, you may need to get imaging (mammogram and/or ultrasound) and wait a little more time. Depending on what the imaging shows, you may be able to have a procedure to aspirate or drain the lumps if it is a cyst, although this is unlikely if it is firm and painful. If the exam and imaging is consistent with fat necrosis and it does not go away after ample time and waiting, you may need to have a procedure to cut those areas out. Again, it is important to see the surgeon who did the breast reduction surgery to have an evaluation by a plastic surgeon.

I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing pain and discomfort after your breast reduction surgery. It's not uncommon to have some discomfort and swelling after the procedure, but persistent pain and lumps may indicate a complication that requires medical attention.

I recommend that you contact your plastic surgeon and describe your symptoms to them. They will be able to examine you and determine the cause of your pain and discomfort.

Some possible causes of pain and lumps after breast reduction surgery include:

Hematoma: a collection of blood that forms under the skin and can cause swelling and pain.
Seroma: a collection of clear fluid that can accumulate after surgery and cause swelling and discomfort.
Infection: an infection can cause pain, redness, and swelling in the affected area.
Scar tissue: the formation of scar tissue can cause pain and stiffness in the breast.
Your plastic surgeon may recommend further imaging or tests to determine the cause of your symptoms. Treatment options may include medication, drainage of fluid or blood, or revision surgery.

In the meantime, you can try using pain medications as prescribed by your surgeon, wearing a supportive bra, and applying ice packs to reduce swelling and discomfort. It's important to follow your surgeon's post-operative instructions closely and avoid any activities that may worsen your symptoms.

Best of luck !