Breast Reduction Recovery Considerations

Most people think that recovery time after a breast reduction surgery seems relaxing, and some even look forward to an excuse for lounging, and while being positive about the situation is physically and emotionally better for you and those around you, most grow tired of being still a lot sooner than they thing they will. Be sure to properly prepare yourself for the entire recovery. There is a period of time that you will be laying on your back and only on your back, and this will become uncomfortable in addition to discomfort of the healing that is happening. 

Plan your breast reduction recovery at home like you would plan a vacation. Have an itinerary. Pencil in light correspondence activities, catch up with old friends on-line or on the phone, or read that mini-series that you have never had time to read. Paint a beach scene on your ceiling and make believe you are in the islands. Whatever it takes to follow recovery protocol, do it.

Another preventative measure that must be taken addresses a later time in recovery. Once you can get out of bed and even after you have gone back to work, you are unable to lift anything that weighs more than a few pounds. Carefully consider what this means to you and your life. Do you have young children? Note how often you lift them even if they are beyond the age that they need to be carried all the time. When you pick your kids up from school, do you get stuck with the backpacks? Are you constantly pouring milk from a gallon jug? How much does your purse or diaper bag weigh? These are all weight bearing activities that will be prohibited according to post op directions, so consider carefully your recovery preparations.

If you have children, you will also need to prepare them for your recovery from breast reduction. You will look different, your home will run differently for awhile, and their lives may be more affected than you realize. If you have little ones with whom modesty has not been addressed, it is likely that they will notice your bandages, and fear that you are hurt. Your hugs will feel different, you will look different, and you will not be able to be as attentive to your children as you are used to being for awhile. If this is handled properly and the child is prepared, it will not be a major deal, and there is a fine line between preparing a kid for your recovery shortcomings and revealing too much scary information.