How long does it take for a patient to recover from a breast reduction in North Carolina?

Recovery from breast surgery is very well tolerated. Dr. Miles follows patients very closely after any surgical procedure and he is always available to answer any questions or address any concerns. After surgery, patients will have surgical dressings and the breasts will be wrapped with an elastic bandage. Many patients will have surgical drains placed during the procedure, which are small tubes placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect. The drains are usually in place for only a few days and are painlessly removed in the office. All of the stitching is done with absorbable sutures and there are no sutures to remove after surgery. The wound care instructions and drain management is very simple.

All patients are given specific written instructions for breast reduction recovery during their preoperative appointment. These instructions will cover how to care for the breasts following breast reduction surgery, medications to take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health. Patients are followed very closely after surgery. Dr. Miles will answer any questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.

Patients generally take 1-2 weeks off from their regular activities. The office can provide excuse notes for work or school. However the overall healing process of the breasts will usually take about 6-8 weeks. The breasts will initially seem swollen and fuller on top. Early after the procedure, there can be visible bruising. Postoperative discomfort is usually mild and managed well with prescription pain medication. Most patients are off the pain medication within the first week. As the weeks go by, the breasts will settle and become more rounded and assume a more natural shape.