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Lump, Swelling and Edema After Breast Surgery
Updated: Sep 27
At Dr. Suleyman Tas Clinic, this week's blog post covers lumps, swelling and edema that can occur in the breast after breast surgery. Since there are several different types of breast surgery, let's start by looking at the main types of breast surgery.
Breast Augmentation Surgery
Breast augmentation surgery is one of the aesthetic surgery options women choose when they have naturally small breasts. As the name suggests, the goal of the procedure is to enlarge the breast, and it is performed under general anesthesia. Among the different types of breast surgery, it is the one with the fastest return to social life: about 4 to 5 days of rest is usually enough before the patient can go back to work or their normal routine. Some swelling and edema in the breast is expected after surgery. If the patient follows the surgeon's recommendations during the rest period, any lump, swelling or edema that occurs will not reach a level that should cause concern.
Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction surgery is the procedure women with very large breasts turn to. It is essentially the opposite of breast augmentation, since it reduces the size of the breast. Women with very large breasts often face not only aesthetic concerns but also health problems: the body struggles to carry the extra weight, which can lead to back, neck and shoulder pain. Breast reduction surgery improves the patient's quality of life both aesthetically and in terms of health.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery
After pregnancy and breastfeeding, a woman's breasts go through certain changes. During breastfeeding, the breast grows and swells as it produces milk for the baby's basic needs. Once breastfeeding ends, the breast tissue loses volume and, so to speak, becomes hollow, and it sags downward under the effect of gravity. Mastopexy, the surgical procedure that corrects this, is what we refer to as breast lift surgery. In some cases, silicone implants may also be needed to help restore volume to breast tissue that has lost fullness.
Coming back to our main topic, the lump, swelling and edema that can occur in the breast after breast surgery vary depending on the type of surgery performed. Lump, swelling or edema is uncommon after breast augmentation surgery specifically, and breast augmentation is the procedure that allows the fastest return to social life: 4 to 5 days of rest is usually enough. Breast reduction surgery and breast lift surgery, however, require a somewhat longer rest period compared with breast augmentation. A good quality rest period of 7 to 10 days is essential. Some lump, swelling and edema in the breast is expected after these procedures. When the surgeon's recommendations are followed and a proper rest period is maintained, the swelling and edema will stay at a minimal level. If you notice anything unusual, you should let your surgeon know.
That brings us to the end of this blog post from Dr. Suleyman Tas Clinic on lump, swelling and edema after breast surgery. If you have any questions about breast surgery, please feel free to reach us at +90 532 056 3693. We wish you good health.
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