Undergoing a breast reduction is a significant step towards achieving physical comfort and enhancing your quality of life for whatever reason you chose to have the surgery. It is essential to be well-prepared for the recovery period that follows. Having the right essentials for breast reduction surgery recovery on hand can make all the difference in your healing process. I had a breast reduction in July 2023 as the first stage of getting a prophylactic double mastectomy secondary to being BRCA 2+. I was a size 34DD at the time of the surgery, and approximately 1.5 pounds were removed from my breasts during surgery. This took me down to a 34C cup. I’m so happy I had a breast reduction with the mastectomy because the smaller size immediately gave me pain relief in my neck and back and boosted my confidence.
As I shared my breast reduction surgery journey on social media, I was shocked by the number of women who reached out and told me that they wanted to get a breast reduction and asked for advice. This post will guide you through the must-have items to support your recovery, ensuring you feel comfortable and ready to embrace the new you. This post does not contain medical advice. I’m simply sharing what helped me recover from first-hand experience.
How was Breast Reduction Surgery Recovery?
Recovering from breast reduction surgery was easier than I anticipated. I had no pain, and my biggest complaint was post-surgery constipation and fatigue. As a content creator who works from home, I started working online a couple of hours a day, about 3-4 days post-op. By two weeks post-op, I felt like my usual self. I know this is not the case for everybody, but I wanted to share my positive experience so you know it’s possible.
While each surgeon may give you different instructions, I was allowed to lift at most 5 pounds for the first two weeks after surgery. I was also advised not to lift my arms above my shoulders for the first week after surgery and to slowly ease into moving them upward. I also had to wear a compression bra at all times, except when showering and had to sleep on my back during the first two weeks. Again, these recommendations could change based on your surgeon and your surgery.
On week 3, 22 days post-op, I could exercise my lower body and wear a compression bra only when active. I did not need to sleep in the bra anymore. My doctor also told me I could start sleeping on my side again now.
By week 4, I could resume normal activities such as weight lifting, yoga, etc.
Finally, at three months, I was allowed to wear underwire bras again. In my case, I went for a double mastectomy at the 3-month mark, so I stayed in the compression bras for much longer.
The following items are things that I found most helpful after the breast reduction, especially for those first two weeks when I had weight-lifting restrictions.
Essentials You Need After a Breast Reduction
- Caregiver Support & Home Modifications
- Compression Bras
- Surgical Site and Scar Management
- Pillows
- Clothes
- Pharmacy Items
Caregiver Support & Home Modifications
Caregiver support is essential, especially in the first 24-48 hours after surgery. You will still be under the effects of anesthesia, and you may be on heavy pain medications. My friend, Sharon, was with me 24 hours straight for the first three days after surgery. She assisted me in taking meds, getting in and out of bed, and carrying/moving objects as needed.
Even if you have round-the-clock caregiver support, I recommend modifying your home so that you will not need to lift heavy objects after surgery. Also, move things that you have to reach for to counter height.
Having your fridge fully stocked with easy-to-heat-up and nutritious foods will also make your life easier.
One of the hardest things for me after the breast reduction surgery was to get in and out of bed because you’re not allowed to push up from your arms and bear weight through your arms. To prepare for the double mastectomy, I prepped my body by doing a lot of core and hip exercises. I also practiced getting in and out of bed without pushing up from my arms, doing crunches, and moving from lying in bed to standing up. This was EXTREMELY HELPFUL for recovery from the mastectomy, and I wish I had physically prepared my body in this manner for the reduction.
Check out a video of the exercise here:
Compression Bras For After Breast Surgery
The #1 thing you will need to purchase for a breast reduction are some good compression bras with front zippers. You must wear compression bras three months after surgery and at least the first few days or weeks, pending your doctor’s advice. You might not be allowed to raise your arms over your head and will have to wear button-down garments. The surgery center where I had my procedure provided a compression bra right after surgery. It was very itchy and uncomfortable, and I recommend you buy your own to wear.
I highly recommend the Prairie Wear brand for compression bras. I bought two of their bras for surgery and rotated wearing them. They are extremely moisture resistant, and the fabric is durable. They are in excellent shape now, one-year post-op. You can buy extenders for them to get the exact size you need.
Save 10% off of your Prairie Wear purchase with my code JULIA10.
If you have questions about which Prairie bra to purchase, here’s a chart to help you. I used the Hugger PRIMA after surgery.
I also purchased these compression bras on Amazon. While the quality wasn’t as good as Prairie Wear’s, I started wearing them after the first week.
Surgical Site and Scar Management After Breast Reduction
Surgical scars are an inevitable part of the process after a breast reduction, but with proper care, their appearance can be significantly minimized. The surgical scars are called “anchor scars” because they circle your nipple and have a vertical and horizontal incision on the breast, resembling an anchor shape.
Initially, the scars will be red or pink, gradually fading over time. Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions is crucial to care for these scars. Keep the incision sites clean and dry to prevent infection, and apply any prescribed ointments or creams to promote healing. Silicone gel sheets or scar creams can be beneficial in reducing scar visibility. My doctor recommended gentle massage techniques, which I performed with Aquaphor lotion. Patience, consistent care, and healing time are crucial to achieving the best cosmetic outcome.
Pillows
The more pillows, the better after a breast reduction. Your doctor will advise you to sleep at an elevated position for some time after surgery. I was supposed to sleep elevated for at least 48 hours. However, since I also had to lay on my back for the first two weeks after surgery, I was asleep elevated all of the time because it was tough for me to sleep on my back.
This wedge pillow was an absolute lifesaver. I used it for my mastectomy as well. I also got a seat belt pillow for my car, and I still wear it today; it’s very comfortable.
Note: I also got a maternity pillow for recovery. I ended up not liking it as much as the wedge pillow. It was bulky and hard to prop myself up with. However, if you already have a maternity pillow, you could use it instead of the wedge pillow. I wouldn’t recommend buying one if you decide between a wedge and a maternity pillow.
Clothes
After a breast reduction, you’ll want comfy button-down clothes to wear. Here are some of my favorites that I found on Amazon. I thought they were both comfortable and stylish. I’m still wearing them today, a year after my surgery.
- Tank top
- Pajama top
- Button-down sweater
- Button-down tee shirt
Personal Hygiene & Pharmacy Products
After surgery, you’ll be advised to avoid the shower for several days. Even when you can shower, you may not feel up to it, which could be challenging. Also, as I mentioned above, after surgery, constipation is a common side effect of any surgery. So, if you’re making a pharmacy run before your surgery, here are the things I would add to your list from my experience. Of course, add anything that your doctor recommends as well.
- Colace for your bowels
- Dry shampoo
- Body wipes
- Antibacterial soap (this was recommended by the surgical center)
Conclusions
Recovering from a breast reduction surgery is a journey that requires patience, care, and the proper essentials to ensure a smooth and comfortable healing process. From supportive compression bras and specialized pillows to scar care treatments, by preparing yourself with these essentials, you can focus on rest and healing, knowing you have everything you need for your recovery.