As with any major surgical procedure, patients who undergo surgical breast reduction must take care to dedicate sufficient time to the healing process. Although the risks of complication associated with breast reduction are relatively low compared to other types of plastic surgery procedures, there are still risks involved. In order to optimize your body’s ability to bounce back after breast reduction surgery, it is important to follow your doctor’s discharge instructions very carefully. In addition, the breast reduction healing process will be expedited if you adhere to the prescribed parameters for activity, resting, and recovery. In order to reduce the risk of infection, your doctor may prescribe a precautionary antibiotic. It is also important to keep your incision site clean and dry, and to apply any antimicrobial products that have been given to you according to the prescribed schedule. Insist that your recovery room stays clean and germ-free, and have everyone who enters wash their hands thoroughly with antimicrobial hand soap.