Breast Lift Recovery

As beast lift surgery is an outpatient procedure, the breast lift patient will be able to go home immediately as long as there are no unusual complications. The patient will need to have a driver arranged to take her home as she will not be able to operate a vehicle following surgery.

The breast lift surgeon will apply dressing to the breasts and may add small tubes to help drain fluid. The patient will also be given a surgical bra for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, which must be worn the constantly. After that period, the patient will meet again with the surgeon to check the initial results of the breast lift and ensure the patient's good health. At this visit, the surgeon will remove any tubes that were added to help drain fluid. As well, the dressing will be changed and the patient can trade the medical bra for a support bra.

Some surgeons recommend a Miracle Bra or 24-hour support bra that can provide round-the-clock support. The patient must wear a bra with this support at all hours following the surgery for several weeks to ensure that the breasts heal into the optimal shape and unnecessary weight isn't added while the sutures are healing.

The first two days after a breast lift involve the most discomfort and the breasts will be swollen and bruised. This swelling and bruising diminishes in the first week after surgery. The incision lines will be extremely red at first and may even be slightly lumpy. These heal greatly in the first two weeks and are very receded by the first month. Scars heal slowly though and it may be a full year before breast lift scars have receded and set to their final state. The surgery is designed to keep scarring at a minimum, but they will always be visible to a degree.

Following breast lift surgery, a patient must not engage in any lifting or strenuous activity for the first two weeks.

After three or four weeks, a patient may begin to return to activity and exercise, but still take it easy when lifting things. Sexual activity should be avoided for the first three weeks as well.

The surgeon will want to meet again after most of the healing has been done to check on the result. At this time, the surgeon may want to make some minor updates to one or both breasts to ensure symmetry. Each surgeon will have their own schedule and preferences for follow-up appointments. Sometimes tattooing is used to add further symmetry to the shape of the areola following surgery.

While there is some risk of loss of sensation to the nipple, it is rare. Every patient will experience a loss of feeling in the nipples during the first few days after surgery. This is due to the pressure that swelling causes. As this swelling subsides, feeling returns for most patients. Some patients require several weeks to a month to recover feeling in their nipples and a very small percentage take a year to get full feeling back. For a very rare and small minority, feeling in the nipples never returns. While unlikely, this is an important risk for a patient to discuss with her surgeon beforehand.

Recovery Timeline

Recovery time from a breast lift is modest. Healing times will vary by patient, but this timeline should offer a glimpse of what to expect.

• Days 1-2 - Patient will have significant swelling and bruising from breast lift. No physical or strenuous activity.
• Weeks 1-2 - Swelling and bruising recede considerably. Strenuous activity and all lifting are still off limits. Sexual activity should be avoided as well.
• Weeks 3-4 - Breast lift incisions will have receded considerably and the final look is clear, though not fully set.
• Year 1 - Incision lines are fully set into their final appearance, becoming lighter and thinner throughout the year.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Breast Lift Surgery

• What can I expect during the recovery process?
• Is this a painful procedure?
• How long does it take to make a full recovery following breast lift surgery?
• Will I need help from a friend to drive me home and stay with me after surgery?
• How long will it be until I can return to my normal activities?
• How long will it be before I can return to work?
• Do I need to follow a special diet or take any medications before or after surgery?
• Will I be required to wear special recovery garments after surgery?