How to Reduce Bruising and Swelling after Breast Reduction Surgery

Posted on [post_date] [post_comments] [post_edit]

can help women to get smaller and lighter breasts with permanent relief from back, shoulder and neck pain. Smaller breasts help to restore a more balanced body silhouette, and this procedure is one of the most effective ways to boost self-confidence. Breast reduction is an invasive surgical procedure and involves a period of recovery. Bruising and swelling after breast reduction of some of the most common side effects experienced by most patients. This is a normal response to surgical intervention, although there are several measures which patients can follow to minimise bruising and swelling to ensure a quicker and smoother recovery.

RELATED:

Centre for Surgery is one of the leading plastic surgery clinics in the UK and is home to specialist breast reduction surgeons with years of in this procedure. Our results-driven approach to all our treatments helps patients to achieve aesthetically and natural-looking breasts. Our expert nursing team are always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have about breast reduction recovery. We are committed to providing the highest standards of medical care before, during and after your procedure.

RELATED: 

Top tips to minimise swelling and bruising after breast reduction

Breast reduction is designed to address pain and discomfort from having heavy breasts, and this can help to boost psychological well-being. The final results of breast surgery take time to appear due to the development of bruising and swelling in the early postoperative period. Swelling and bruising after breast reduction can be minimised by following your surgeon’s care instructions before and after .

Here are the most important steps that can follow to get a fast recovery after breast reduction surgery:

an appropriate compression bra is vital to the healing . We would recommend wearing a compression bra for a minimum of four weeks after surgery. You should wear a bra continuously both day and night. The compression bra to support the new breasts and minimise swelling. The compression from the bra helps to minimise by applying pressure to small blood vessels beneath the skin.

Taking plenty of time out for rest is important after surgery; however, keeping mobile around the home during the first few days after surgery will help to promote healthy blood circulation to the legs. This helps to minimise the risk of blood clots. You should refrain from strenuous exercises such as jogging or running, or lifting heavy weights as these activities could prolong bruising and swelling after surgery. Our clinical team will guide you on which exercises can be safely carried out after surgery.

Application of cold packs to the surgical area will help to reduce blood flow by constricting blood vessels. This helps to minimise both and swelling after breast reduction. Best results are obtained when cold packs are applied regularly during the first three days after surgery. You should avoid cold pack application for more than 15 minutes at a time with at least a 15-minute break in between. Avoid excessive skin contact, as this could increase the risk of developing a cold burn.

Sleeping in the correct position after breast reduction will help to promote good healing. We would recommend sleeping on your back with your breasts in an elevated . A dedicated recliner chair may help with this. Alternatively, you may use a couple of pillows beneath your head to keep your upper body propped up. You should avoid sleeping on your sides or tummy as this will involve excessive pressure being applied to the incisions, which could increase the risk of wound breakdown.

Eating healthy foods after breast reduction is crucial to the breast reduction recovery process. A healthy and nutritious diet will help to minimise bruising and swelling with a recovery. Focus on eating foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, avocados and lean sources. Avoid eating highly processed foods or junk foods, and reduce your salt intake. Excessive consumption of salt may lead to fluid retention and prolongation of postoperative swelling.

Drinking water regularly throughout the day will help to eliminate excessive swelling and promote healthy blood circulation. This will lead to a quicker recovery and faster healing of your breast reduction incisions. Certain beverages should be minimised, including caffeinated drinks and fizzy drinks. Excessive consumption of tea or coffee may increase the risk of dehydration which can delay wound healing.

You will be prescribed post-operative medications to help minimise pain and discomfort after surgery. Take these regularly as directed during the early postoperative period. Failing to take your medication as prescribed may increase post-operative swelling and bruising. Getting the best results after surgery means taking painkillers and antibiotics regularly as per your surgeon’s instructions.

How to avoid bruising and swelling after breast reduction

Breast reduction surgery recovery FAQs

Here we answer your most commonly asked questions about breast reduction recovery.

Postoperative swelling after breast reduction takes approximately three weeks to improve, with all swelling virtually disappearing by three months after surgery.

Make sure to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions to help minimise swelling after breast reduction. You should wear your compression bra continuously for four weeks, apply cold packs for the first 72 hours after surgery and eat a healthy diet. You should keep well hydrated and avoid eating salty foods. Coffee should be avoided, and strenuous exercises such as going to the gym should be avoided until six weeks after surgery.

Bruising after breast reduction cannot be eliminated completely. Both bruising and swelling or normal side-effects of any surgical procedure. By following the after-care in full, you can help to minimise bruising, and it should disappear much quicker.

Cold packs or ice packs should be applied for no more than 15 minutes at a time. You should have a minimum of a 30-minute break in between applications. Applying cold packs for too long may increase the risk of a cold burn.

Once your breast incisions have fully healed, you may apply a specialist scar removal cream, and we will be able to recommend the most appropriate product at your follow-up appointment.

Bruising after breast can be by the regular application of ice packs for the first 72 hours after surgery. You should wear your compression bra continuously for at least four weeks and avoid any medicines known to thin the blood, such as aspirin.

Bruising and swelling are completely normal after breast reduction and are the body’s normal response to a physical injury, including invasive surgery.

RELATED: 

You will be able to sleep on your side after a breast after approximately four weeks. Before this time, you should avoid sleeping on your side or stomach to avoid excessive pressure on the incisions.

Scars after breast reduction cannot be eliminated completely, although there are several measures which can be taken to minimise their appearance. You should avoid direct sunlight exposure to your incisions and we would recommend the application of silicone gel or silicone sheets to flatten scars once they have fully healed after approximately four weeks.

Failing to wear the compression bra after breast reduction surgery will significantly increase bruising and swelling and may affect the final results of your surgery, as the compression bra functions to support the breasts in a proper position for optimal healing.

Although it is fine to drink coffee after a breast reduction, we would recommend limiting your intake to know more than one or 2 cups a day and instead focus on drinking at least eight glasses of water each day to maintain hydration and promote healing.

Breast reduction surgery at Centre for Surgery in London

At Centre for Surgery, we take pride in being a leading cosmetic surgery clinic in London with a team of highly experienced consultant plastic surgeons specialising in breast reduction surgery. With over 100 breast reduction procedures annually at our in Marylebone, we have earned a reputation for excellence in this field.

If you’re considering breast reduction surgery, we invite you to schedule an consultation with one of our specialist breast reduction surgeons. You can contact us today at or fill out the contact form on our website to learn more about our expertise and to take the first step towards achieving your desired breast size and shape.

Call or fill in the form below. A patient will call you within one working day to book your consultation with the consultant best matched to your enquiry.

—Please choose an option— Rhinoplasty (nose surgery) Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) Facelift / Neck lift Otoplasty (ear surgery) Breast augmentation Breast lift Breast reduction Liposuction Tummy tuck Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) Mummy makeover Labiaplasty / Cosmetic gynaecology Gynaecomastia (male breast reduction) FTM / MTF top surgery Skin lesion / Single mole Check removal Morpheus8 / Fotona / non-surgical Revision surgery (any previous procedure) Other / not sure yet




Best time to call you

Morning (9am–12pm)Afternoon (12pm–3pm)Late afternoon (3pm–6pm)Any time

Send me occasional treatment guides, patient stories, and clinic news

I have read and understood the

Your enquiry is treated in strict confidence. We respond within one day, Monday to Saturday.

Request a consultation

Filed Under:

Share this post

Primary Sidebar

I agree to receive marketing communications ()

I agree to receive marketing communications ()

Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s Baker Street, delivering and cosmetic surgery through GMC-registered specialist surgeons. Our expertise spans facial procedures including and , , for men, and body contouring procedures such as and . Patient safety, surgical excellence and natural-looking results sit at the heart of everything we do.

Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated hospital on London’s iconic , offering and cosmetic surgery led by GMC-registered consultant surgeons.

Marylebone

London

W1U 6RN

Mon – Sat, 9am – 6pm

Saturday consultations available