Breast Reduction Aftercare
General recovery guidance for breast reduction surgery based on Waterfront Private Hospital's written aftercare information. This online guide should be used alongside the official leaflet and the specific instructions given to you by your surgical team.
When to get help — your traffic light guide
Call 999 or go to A&E now if you have:
These can be life-threatening. Do not wait to call the hospital first.
- •Chest pain or trouble breathing
- •Heavy bleeding that won't stop
- •Signs of blood clot (leg swelling, shortness of breath)
- •High temperature (over 38°C) with confusion or unusual drowsiness
Contact us now — do not wait — if you have:
- •One breast suddenly much larger than the other
- •Temperature over 38°C with other symptoms
Office hours (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm): 0131 376 3785
Evenings and weekends during your early recovery: Out-of-Hours Nurse Advice Line 07405322689 — our nurse can advise you, contact your surgeon, or direct you to NHS services.
After your early recovery period: call the hospital in office hours, or NHS 24 on 111.
Had your surgery at Spire Shawfair Park (overnight stay)? Contact Spire directly using the number on your discharge paperwork — not the Waterfront advice line.
Tell us at your next appointment:
Anything else that is niggling or worrying you — no concern is too small. Mention it at your next appointment, or call us during office hours.
Emergency Contacts
Life-threatening emergency
999Urgent medical advice
NHS 24: 111
Out-of-Hours Nurse Advice Line
For the first days after your surgery only
07405322689Our nurse can advise you, contact your surgeon, or direct you to NHS services. Waterfront is a day surgery hospital and is closed overnight. Once your early recovery period is over, please call the hospital during office hours instead. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.
Had your surgery at Spire Shawfair Park (overnight stay)? Contact Spire directly using the number on your discharge paperwork — not the Waterfront advice line.
| Contact Type | Contact |
|---|---|
| Life-threatening emergency | 999 |
| Urgent medical advice | NHS 24: 111 |
| Hospital Office Hours (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm) | 0131 376 3785 |
| Out-of-Hours Nurse Advice Line (for the first days after your surgery only) | 07405322689 Our nurse can advise you, contact your surgeon, or direct you to NHS services. Waterfront is a day surgery hospital and is closed overnight. Once your early recovery period is over, please call the hospital during office hours instead. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999. Had your surgery at Spire Shawfair Park (overnight stay)? Contact Spire directly using the number on your discharge paperwork — not the Waterfront advice line. |
| hello@waterfronthospital.co.uk |
Reviewed 4 July 2026 · v1.0
Your information leaflets
Related Information Leaflets
These are separate information leaflets about the procedure itself — not the aftercare instructions below.
How to Use This Information
The advice below is based on Waterfront Private Hospital's written breast reduction aftercare leaflet. It is general guidance for the average patient and may be adapted by your consultant for your individual circumstances.
Always follow the specific instructions given to you on the day of your surgery and in your printed leaflet. If there is ever a difference, follow your consultant's written or verbal instructions and contact us for clarification.
Before You Leave the Hospital
- Painkillers: Make sure you have your painkillers before you leave — the nurse looking after you will go through them with you.
- Surgical bra: Your surgical bra will be fitted comfortably before you leave. Ensure you have it on properly and understand how to wear it.
- Follow-up appointments: You will be given a card with details of your first dressing clinic / follow-up appointment (usually week 1) and contact details for the ward if you have any concerns once you get home.
- Getting home safely: You must have someone to take you home and a responsible adult with you for the first night.
Your Surgical Support Bra
A well-fitting surgical bra made of soft, seamless fabric is essential during your recovery.
As a guide: wear it day and night for the first 3 months, then during the day up to about 6 months. These are typical timings rather than strict rules — your team will tailor them to you.
Bra Requirements:
- No underwiring
- Front opening (not over head)
- Adjustable straps
- Soft, seamless fabric
- Correct band size (28, 30, 32, 34, 36, etc.)
- Where to buy: High street: M&S, Tesco, ASDA. Specialist brands: Macom Signature Bra, Lipoelastic PI Ideal, Lipoelastic PI Relax (use code QUABA for discount).
Activity Timeline - When to Resume Normal Life
- Week 1: Driving (if off strong painkillers)
- 1-2 Weeks: Office work; Short flights (<3 hours) with compression socks
- 2-3 Weeks: Physical work (start gradually)
- 3 Weeks: Long flights (>3 hours, move hourly)
- 4 Weeks: Gentle exercise (wear support bra)
- 6 Weeks: Full exercise (build up slowly); Swimming (wounds fully healed)
- 3 Months: Underwired bras (check with nurse first)
Medication Information
Regular Pain Relief
Strong Pain Relief (if prescribed)
Dihydrocodeine: Only if regular painkillers aren't enough
Other Medications
- Antibiotics: Complete the full course if prescribed
- Laxatives: Use if constipated from painkillers
Scar Care
When to Start: Begin at 4 weeks if wounds are fully healed
The Routine:
- Tape (3–5 days): Apply Micropore tape to scars
- Moisturise (1–2 days): Remove tape, apply plain moisturiser
- Repeat this cycle for 4–6 months
- Products to Use — Tape: Micropore 3M (from pharmacy)
- Products to Use — Moisturiser: Aveeno, E45, or Bio-Oil
- Scar Timeline — 3 months: Scars still pink/red
- Scar Timeline — 6 months: Fading to lighter colour
- Scar Timeline — 1 year: Final appearance
Lifestyle Guidelines
✓ DO
- ✓ Walk regularly
- ✓ Eat healthy foods
- ✓ Drink plenty of water
- ✓ Sleep well
- ✓ Take medications as directed
- ✓ Attend all appointments
- ✗ AVOID
- ✗ Smoking (delays healing)
- ✗ Alcohol for 3 weeks
- ✗ Heavy lifting for 6 weeks
- ✗ Underwired bras for 3 months
- ✗ Swimming until wounds healed
- ✗ Direct sun on scars for 1 year
Recovery Timeline
What's Normal
- •Breast pain and tightness
- •Swelling and bruising
- •Feeling tired
- •Small blood spots on dressings
- •Mood changes
Your Care Routine
- •Take painkillers regularly (don't wait for pain)
- •Rest but walk around your home every few hours
- •Sleep in any comfortable position
- •Keep your surgical bra on
- •Shower carefully - it's OK if dressings get damp
- •Pat dressings dry gently
- •Don't worry if outer dressings come loose
Pain Management
- •Take painkillers on schedule (don't wait for pain)
- •Paracetamol and ibuprofen as directed
- •Use ice packs wrapped in towel (never directly on skin)
- •Report uncontrolled pain immediately
Follow-Up Appointments
Week 1 (Day 7)
Nurse removes outer dressings. Checks your healing. Answers your questions. Paper tape stays on wounds.
- Wound inspection
- Dressing removal
- Healing assessment
- Review of care instructions
Further nurse reviews — as needed
You are likely to have further nurse reviews — wound healing after this procedure often benefits from more than one visit. The nurses will arrange these with you and will discharge you from nurse-led care once they are happy your wounds have healed.
Around 6 months — surgeon review (final follow-up)
Your surgeon will usually see you at around 6 months to assess your final result. Your surgeon is always available to review you sooner if required, and in some circumstances may wish to see you before your final follow-up.
Note: Your appointment schedule may vary. Always follow the specific dates and times given in your appointment card. Contact us if you need to reschedule.
Source: hospital aftercare leaflet · Last reviewed: 4 July 2026 · Version 1.0
Your emotional recovery
How you feel matters too
An emotional dip in the first weeks after surgery is common and usually passes. We've written honestly about what to expect, what helps, and where to find support.
Post-Operative Checklist
- Collected all medications (painkillers, antibiotics if prescribed)
- Your surgical bra fitted comfortably
- Follow-up appointment card
- Transport arranged
- Someone staying with you tonight
- Our contact numbers saved in your phone
- Understood your medication instructions
Wound Care Instructions
- You can shower from day 1
- Pat dressings dry gently
- Don't worry if outer dressings come loose
- After first week, nurse removes outer dressings at appointment
- Paper tape stays on wounds
- At week 2, remove paper tape by end of week (use Vaseline if stuck)
- Watch for signs of infection: increasing redness, warmth, swelling, discharge, or fever
Pain Management
- Take your painkillers as directed on their labels — every medicine you go home with is labelled with its dose and frequency, and your nurse will go through them with you before you leave. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can safely be taken together
- Take painkillers regularly in the first few days – do not wait until pain is severe
- Dihydrocodeine: only if regular painkillers aren't enough
- Some discomfort, tightness and swelling is expected
- Swelling and bruising typically peak at 48–72 hours then gradually improve
- A supportive / soft bra can help reduce discomfort during the first few weeks
Activity Restrictions
- Driving: 1 week (only if off strong painkillers)
- Office work: 1–2 weeks
- Physical work: 2–3 weeks (start gradually)
- Short flights (<3 hours): 1–2 weeks (wear compression socks)
- Long flights (>3 hours): 3 weeks (move around hourly)
- Gentle exercise: 4 weeks (wear support bra)
- Full exercise: 6 weeks (build up slowly)
- Swimming: 6 weeks (when wounds fully healed)
- Underwired bras: 3 months (check with nurse first)
- No heavy lifting for 6 weeks
- No smoking (delays healing)
- Avoid alcohol for 3 weeks
- Direct sun on scars: avoid for 1 year
FAQs
When will my breasts look normal?
Most swelling goes by 4 weeks. Final shape takes 6 months. They may drop slightly - this is normal.
Why does one breast hurt more?
It's common for breasts to heal at different rates. If one is much more swollen, contact us.
Can I sleep on my side?
Yes, sleep however is comfortable. Your surgical bra provides support in any position.
When can I buy normal bras?
After 3 months you can try underwired bras — get professionally fitted first, as your size will have changed.
Why do I have shooting pains?
This means nerves are healing. It's normal and will improve over several months.
What if paper tape won't come off?
Soak with Vaseline for 30 minutes, then gently peel off. Never force it.
Download Guide
Download Breast Reduction PDFPDF, 61 KB
Need Help?
Emergency Contact
Life-threatening emergencies:
999After-Hours Advice Line (Post-Surgery Patients Only):
07405322689For advice only. Day surgery hospital - closed overnight. For emergencies, call 999.
General inquiries:
0131 376 3785For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 immediately. For urgent medical advice, call NHS 24 on 111.