Setting a date for your breast reduction surgery is an exciting moment. It can be easy to start daydreaming about the results and how your life could change. But when you think about life after breast reduction, there is something you need to keep in mind: it takes a while for the final results to show.
How Soon Will You Experience Results After Breast Reduction?
First, understand that every client is different. The manner in which your body responds to surgery — from the presence of swelling to incisions healing — is unique to you. While there are general timelines that your surgeon will outline for you, know that you may fall at either end of the spectrum, and possibly outside it.
With that said, many clients notice a difference in physical comfort as soon as the pain of surgery starts to wane. Back, shoulder and neck pain tends to instantly decrease due to there being less weight pulling on these parts of the body. Of course, this usually doesn’t mean the pain disappears completely; the results of the ongoing strain that the muscles and skeletal system have dealt with take time to resolve.
Breast reduction results can be seen and felt directly after surgery for many clients, but final results take time to develop.
Visible results after breast reduction may take longer to appreciate, depending on how much breast tissue was removed. Swelling is common after surgery, and this can make the breasts appear larger than you desired them to be. There is also the possibility that the breasts will heal at different rates, leaving them asymmetrical for a period of time.
For the majority of clients, the final results will mostly be visible 2 to 3 months after the surgery. At this point, it should be safe to purchase new bras without worrying about needing to replace them again in just a few months. Subtle changes may continue for up to a year after the procedure as swelling fully resolves.
Just remember that patience is key. There is nothing that can be done to rush the results.
How Long Do Breast Reduction Results Last?
Once you are truly able to enjoy the results of your breast reduction, your concern will no doubt become how long they will last. While your breasts will naturally change as you age, assuming your weight remains stable and you do not encounter any health conditions that impact the breasts, including pregnancy, you should expect that your smaller, lighter breasts will last for the rest of your life.
If you do plan to have more children after your breast reduction, it is important that you discuss this with your surgeon in advance. It is possible that waiting until you are done having children will be the right choice for you, especially if you plan to breastfeed.
Ultimately, the best way to determine if now is the time for your surgery is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. They will be able to walk you through the decision process, talk to you about recovery and results and more.
Dr. Lee B. Daniel is board certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and General Surgery. He is a member of numerous societies including the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
