Published on 24 April, 2021Following breast augmentation, breast reduction or breast lift surgery you should expect to experience some bruising. What’s normal bruising after breast surgery? Most women experience low or moderate bruising on their breasts and adjacent (upper chest or under the armpits/axilla area). Sometimes women develop bruising from their clavicle all the way down to their abdomen and belly button. How do I reduce the risk of bruising? It is not possible to completely remove the risk of bruising; if you have surgery, you will bruise. Most bruising lasts 14 days but deeper bruising can take longer. Some people are more prone to bruising than others. This can be due to underlying health issues that impact clotting – or just the individual body’s natural tendencies.Pictured, right: post breast surgery bruising in some of Dr Sharp’s patients in the week following surgery. It’s important to disclose any diseases or medication to your surgeon for this reason. It doesn’t mean that you will be precluded from having cosmetic surgery, but it will help your surgeon and anaesthetist make accommodations for this before, during and after surgery. Prior to surgery you can reduce your risk of excessive bleeding by ceasing blood thinning medications such as aspirin. Following large procedures, we provide arnica tablets in your post op bag, to assist with your initial swelling and bruising. We offer a 6 week complimentary LED program in our clinics to support bruising and swelling reduction postoperatively. We also recommend taking Bioceuticals Quercetain tablets and Greens vegan Omega 3 to assist with swelling and bruising. Both are available at the clinic and can be purchased prior to surgery or at your post op appointment (postage is also available). When should I be worried about bruising after surgery?– If your bruise is hardening– If your bruise is increasing in size– If you develop a ‘new’ bruise 2 or more weeks following surgery– Bruises can be uncomfortable but if they suddenly become very painful or swollen, call the clinic The most common complication associated with bruising is called a ‘haematoma’; localised collection of blood outside blood vessels, which isn’t absorbed by the body and sometimes requires draining or a ‘wash out’. In the case of plastic surgery, this is rare and not usually a medical emergency, but necessitates review by Dr Sharp in a prompt manner so a course of action can be planned to resolve this.
