Breast lift surgery is a frequently performed cosmetic surgery that improves the look of breasts and makes them appear more youthful. Common recipients of this surgery are new mums, women over 40, women who have lost a lot of weight, and women with heavier breasts.
If you’re considering breast lift surgery, it’s important to research what the healing process is like before you commit to the procedure. Keep on ready to know what to expect after a breast lift procure.
Table of Contents
What’s The Healing Process Like?
Tips For Healing After a Breast Lift
What Is Breast Lift Surgery?
A breast lift (also referred to as a mastopexy) lifts the breasts by tightening surrounding tissues and removing excess skin to achieve a more youthful look. There are a range of techniques used to perform a breast lift, but your surgeon will tailor the procedure to your body to get the best results for you.
Breast lift techniques are based on:
- Your breast shape and size.
- The amount of breast sagging.
- The position and size of your areolas.
- The elasticity and quality of the surrounding skin.
What’s The Healing Process Like?
While the healing process of any procedure will be different for each patient, it can also depend on your health, the surgeon, and how well you follow post-surgical instructions. We can’t stress how important it is to follow the post-op care guide to achieve great results and a faster healing process.
Your surgeon will advise you on how to care for yourself after the procedure. This will include how much exercise to get, what medications to take, what to eat, how much to sleep, and how to look after the incisions.
Here’s a brief guide on what you can expect after the surgery.
Post-surgery
After a breast lift surgery, many patients will spend a night or two in hospital as they will still be under the effects of the anesthetic. When you wake up after the surgery you’ll be feeling groggy and “out of it”, so make sure you arrange for a friend or relative to take you home.
Initially, your breasts will be wrapped in post-op bandages and a surgical bra to keep them protected. Sometimes you’ll also have small drainage tubes by the incisions. These are there to help drain excess fluid to promote healing. You must focus on resting on the first day and you probably won’t want to do anything else!
The First Few Days
For the first three days after the breast lift, you may experience moderate to mild discomfort. These are the few days where any pain will be more pronounced, so be aware of this. It’s also common to experience mild nausea as this is a common side effect of the anesthetic used in the operation.
If you have drainage tubes, a follow-up appointment must be attended to remove these as well as the post-op bandages. You should keep wearing your compression bra at this time. Though it’s frustrating, you must avoid showering for the first three days and stick to sponge bathing instead.
A Week After
After the first week, you will notice a significant decrease in any pain or discomfort. By this time you’ll be able to slowly move around the house, but you still need to be careful. Experts suggest that you should avoid bending over, lifting heavy items, or even moving your arms above your head.
It’s always advised that you take two weeks off from college or work after a breast lift surgery, but there are some expectations. If your work isn’t physically demanding, you may be able to return after a week or so.
Two Weeks After
When you reach week two of healing, your discomfort should be almost or completely gone. You should still avoid any strenuous activities or exercise at this point though! If you have stitches that aren’t self-dissolving, these will be removed by the end of week 2. This week you can start taking showers again, but you should avoid saunas, swimming pools, or bathing as these can cause infections.
A Month After
One month after surgery you’ll be able to resume normal activities feeling more like yourself again. You should still avoid intensive sports or weight lifting as these can put a strain on your breasts. Bathing can be resumed as long as the incisions are well-healed. Swelling will also be gone by this point.
Six Weeks Post-Op
At the six-week mark, patients can stop wearing their compression bras. It’s finally time to move on to more attractive normal bras! Patients can also return to normal life and can start using scar minimization creams and oils. Sleeping on your side is also allowed again. If you go out into the sun, make sure you wear sun cream to prevent scars from getting more pronounced.
Tips For Healing After a Breast Lift
Here’s a quick rundown of the most important healing tips!
- Stock up on groceries and any necessities before the operation.
- Arrange to be picked up by a friend or family member in advance.
- Stick to a nutritious diet for the best healing results.
- Refrain from alcohol and cigarettes.
- Take slow walks to avoid blood clotting.
- Get good sleep when healing.
- Take all advised medications.
- Never miss your follow-up appointments!
- Keep wearing the compression bra.
How Can Beautifi Help?
While it may seem like there’s a lot to remember in the healing process after a breast lift, your doctor will be there to support you every step of the way. They want the best for you and your body, so make sure you follow their healing plan carefully! A breast lift is an exciting procedure that can transform your body and self-esteem. Make sure you are serious about the healing process to get great long-lasting results!
The Beautifi team is always here to help when choosing a surgeon or financially planning for a cosmetic procedure. Learn how our process works or fill out an application to start your procedure journey!