When planning to undergo a surgical procedure, it’s always a good idea to learn more about what you can do to prepare for the procedure and what to expect after it. If you’re planning your breast reduction surgery, then Dr. Howland can give you detailed aftercare instructions to ensure the best result. Here’s what to know about your breast reduction recovery and what you can expect.

Before Your Surgery

Before your surgery, Dr. Howland will discuss your and your family’s medical history. This will include whether or not you and your family members have had medical conditions that affect the success of major surgeries. This helps Dr. Howland understand what risks might be present during surgery and how to mitigate them. You may be asked to do blood work and take any additional pre-operative steps before you arrive on your surgery date. Dr. Howland and our team will ensure you’re fully prepared for your breast reduction procedure.

After Your Breast Reduction Surgery

After your breast reduction surgery, you can expect to have pain, nausea, and tiredness. Dr. Howland will prescribe medications to manage pain and prevent infection and you should make sure to fill these before your surgery date. You’ll need to avoid lifting heavy items and raising your arms above your head, and Dr. Howland will give you a weight limit to how much you can pick up or carry. Because of this, you may need to arrange for pet or child care where appropriate. You should plan to take at least two weeks away from work or school so you can let your body rest. Dr. Howland will give you restrictions on exercising and will let you know when you can return to your normal activities based on your healing.

Throughout your recovery, you should plan to wear your surgical bra as much as possible. This helps support your new breasts and relieves pressure from the incisions. Once you’re cleared to stop wearing your surgical bra, you can graduate to an athletic bra. Although it can take 2-3 weeks for your incisions to heal, it can take several months for all swelling to go down and for your final results to become apparent. Any scarring can take up to a year to fade and Dr. Howland can discuss the best ways to help fade scars during your initial recovery.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re ready to take the next step and begin planning your breast reduction procedure, Dr. Howland can help. Schedule a consultation at Howland Plastic Surgery by calling our Salt Lake City office or filling out our contact form.