One should really wait at least 6 months prior to assess the final size and shape of the breasts after undergoing your procedure.
You might need the bra 1-2 sizes larger than indicated by the Carefix size chart, due to post-surgical swelling. If you have a Carefix bra with cup division (e.g. one bra covers cup A-C and one D-F), you might need a larger cup size compared to the size indicated in the Carefix size chart pre-surgery.
Three-to-four months
By the end of three or four months, your breasts will have fully healed and settled. At this point, you can see the final, shapely and smaller results. Break out the cute bras and smaller tops and enjoy the results of your breast reduction!
You should avoid going braless before the six-week mark after your surgery. Dr. Howland requires patients to wear their compression bra for several weeks at all times except when bathing to aid the healing process.
Immediately after surgery your breasts will be swollen, quite high on your chest, and cone-shaped. The nipples may also appear to be too low. In the first three months the shape changes significantly.
If you have undergone a reduction or implant removal and don't wear your compression bra you may end up with more excess, sagging skin around your breasts.
A sports bra will keep the breasts in place while exercising, but it can be too restrictive when dealing with post-surgery recovery. The breasts can swell a little and a sports bra won't leave any room for this.
If you habitually sleep on your stomach or side, Dr. Orringer suggests that you consider practice sleeping on your back in the weeks leading up to your surgery. Typically, patients can safely resume their preferred sleeping style four to six weeks after surgery.
Your Healing Time
Bartell highly recommends wearing looser fitting, more comfortable clothes in the first week after surgery. Do not go clothes shopping until your swelling has fully subsided.
One of the most significant advantages of weight loss after breast reduction surgery. Most women report feeling much more capable of exercising and maintaining their weight after the operation. It's common for women to lose between 10 and 20 pounds in the months following surgery.
It is critical that patients wear their supportive unwired medical bra at all times for the first 1 – 2 weeks after breast lift surgery. At this point, you may be able to sleep without a bra, though most patients find it more comfortable to continue wearing an unwired bra around the clock for several more weeks.
During your recovery, your activity level will be significantly reduced. This decrease in movement can lead to fluid retention, increasing your swelling and bloating symptoms. Without being able to engage in the physical activity you usually would, you may even recognise a small weight gain. This is completely normal!
Typically, most women drop one or two cup sizes with breast reduction surgery. This is usually sufficient to alleviate the many problems associated with overly-large breasts, while still maintaining an attractive and proportionate body shape.
Breast reduction surgery removes some of the breast tissue and skin from the breasts. This reshapes and lifts the breasts and reduces their size. It can also make the dark area around the nipple smaller.
1. You might go down a shirt size. After surgery, clothes likely won't fit you the way they did before. Though some women find this to be a good thing, it can be an uncomfortable surprise to others when their once favorite shirt doesn't fit the same.
After six weeks, most swelling should have dissipated, and you should feel comfortable doing all of your normal activities. You should be able to engage in more strenuous activity as your motion will return to normal, and you can raise your arms as normal.
Sleeping on your side or stomach too soon after breast surgery – including breast reduction – can strain fresh incisions and force scars still in the process of healing to bleed or stretch. The excess pressure may also cause swelling and discomfort that can interfere with sleep.
Most women say that it takes 3-4 months for all of the swelling to go away and there may be some firm spots or bumps that you can feel. Usually, this is a normal part of healing. While swelling may go away after the first few months, scars from surgery can take almost a year to fade and soften completely.
Initially after breast surgery you may have some swelling. Try to find a bra that is a chest size bigger. For example, if you are a 34B, choose a 36B.
You can remove your bra when you shower. Don't wear a bra that has an underwire while your incisions are healing. You'll get a prescription for pain medication to help manage your pain after surgery. Constipation (www.mskcc.org/pe/constipation).
2-4 Weeks Post Surgery
Between two and four weeks, you will be returning to your normal activities, although some movements may cause minor discomfort. It is not uncommon to have itching as your incisions heal. Swelling should be noticeably reduced. You still need to remain in a soft bra without an underwire.
After your breast augmentation surgery, you'll need to sleep on your back in an elevated position for the first several days. This keeps your breasts in a more natural position, improves circulation, and minimizes swelling.
Your surgical bra should be snug but not too tight. You should be able to insert two fingers underneath.