Breast reduction is a major cosmetic surgery procedure, which will have a significant recovery component. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will educate the patient about all aspects breast reduction, including the estimated recovery. They will also provide post-surgical care instructions.
The patient should be prepared to diligently follow the recovery instructions in order to ensure safe and predictable final results. Committed, profound, and board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Farah Naz Khan provides breast reduction surgery to patients in Dallas, Texas and surrounding communities in this part of the country.
Immediate Post-operative Phase
Once the breast reduction procedure is completed, the staff will shift the patient from the operating room to a recovery area. Observation and monitoring for a few hours will be required, and the patient will recover from the effects of anesthesia. Immediately after the surgery, the breasts will be covered in bandages. Once the bandages are taken off, the patient will be required to wear a special surgical bra for a few weeks.
The surgical bra will support healing and will allow the modified breast tissue to firmly acquire its new shape. The patient should wear this bra at all times except when taking a shower. Most patients will be in a position to go back home the same day after the cosmetic surgery. The patient should arrange for someone to drive her back home safely. She should also preferably have someone to stay over with her at least for the first 24 to 48 hours for assistance.
First Week of Recovery
The patient will have soreness and mild pain in the incision sites during the first few days. Bruising and swelling will be more pronounced initially, but will begin to subside from the second week. The surgeon will prescribe pain relieving medications for a few days to keep the patient comfortable during the early phase of recovery. A course of antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection may also be prescribed.
In the first week, the patient should rest easy at home for the most part. But she should also perform short walks at home and do some light activities to promote blood flow in the incision areas. No patient want to act totally helpless anyway right? No one wants to be a burden on others and the human body is meant to be active as well.
The temporary drain tubes should be emptied regularly as instructed. Breathing difficulty and chest tightness is common during the first week. The patient may stay in a semi-upright position during the first week as far as possible and certainly will not be running around the neighborhood with their large, energetic dog, for instance.
Next Few Weeks
The first follow-up visit to remove the sutures and drains, and examine the progress of healing may be scheduled one week after the surgery. Thereafter, most patients will be in a position to resume their normal routine or return to their workplace. However, they should choose less strenuous work for a few days at the workplace – this is not the time for massive exertion.
No one in this situation wants to be playing a pickup basketball game, running on the same soccer field with their children or any soccer field for that matter, raking leaves rigorously in their front yard, and so on.
The surgeon will advise the patient against lifting of heavy weights and engaging in any vigorous exercises or activities for the first four to six weeks. Follow-up visits to the surgeon’s office should be maintained as scheduled. Cordial, sagacious, and board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Farah Naz Khan receives patients from Dallas, Texas and other cities and suburbs in this region of the fabulous state of Texas for breast reduction surgery.
To schedule a consultation with Board Certified Dallas Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Farah Khan please call 469-437-5426 or click here to contact us.
