Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty)
Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is a procedure to remove excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size more in proportion with your body and to alleviate the discomfort associated with excessively large breasts (macromastia).
Procedure Time
1 - 1 1/2 hour
Time to Final Results
2 - 3 months
Recovery Time
1 - 2 weeks
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Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
Stop smoking
Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding
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Be sure to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to and from surgery, and to stay with you the first night following surgery.
· Minimal activities for the first 4 days after surgery.
· Remember to position yourself as you have been instructed.
· Leave the bra/ace wrap in place as it helps with swelling.
· 1-2 drains may be required. If asked, drainage amounts should be logged and taken to each postoperative visit for us to review.
· Do not raise your arms above your shoulders. Washing your hair is ok.
· NO heavy lifting, pushing or pulling for a minimum of one week.
· After the first week, full range of motion with your arms is permissible, but lifting is restricted to five pounds or less.
· You may shower/sponge bath 48 hours after surgery with assistance.
· You will follow up with one of our nurses 1-3 days after surgery. You will follow up with Dr. Stacey if any concerns arise during this time. Otherwise, you will follow up with him at your two-week post op appointment.
· Sutures are all dissolvable and do not need to be removed. You will have glue
over your incisions and this will be removed at your two-week post-op appointment.
· To return to non-strenuous work after 1-2 weeks.
· Moderate discomfort, which should be relieved by the pain medications. Also, placing well-padded ice bags high on the chest often relieves discomfort.
· Moderate swelling of the breasts and abdomen.
· Bruising around the breasts.
· Some bloody drainage on the dressings.
Call the office if you experience:
· Severe pain not responding to pain medications.
· Excess swelling or swelling that is greater on one side than the other.
· A bright red spot on the bandage which continues to enlarge.
· Incisions that appear to be opening or becoming very red, hot to the touch or containing pus.
· You notice any signs of increasing firmness of one or both breasts.
· If you have had a nipple graft, notify Dr. Stacey if the graft is becoming darker in color.
· A fever.
· Call the office if you have any questions.