Many women are often super-excited about their breast lift procedure results — and with good reason!
Finally getting that breast lift procedure you’ve always wanted can be a thrilling experience. Still, it’s important to remember that you must first get through the breast lift recovery time.
This timeline varies depending on the patient, surgeon, and surgical procedure. Read on to learn more about average recovery times following breast lift surgery, recovery symptoms, and major do’s and don’ts of the healing process.
What Is the Recovery Time for Breast Lift Surgery?
The initial recovery time breast lift patients must get through is between one and six weeks. During this time, you’ll likely need to take around one week off from work and refrain from exercise for at least the full six weeks.
After about six weeks, patients will still have swelling, which may continue on for several weeks and months more. Ultimately, results will be noticeable immediately; however, patients may not see their full breast lift results for up to six months or more.
What Is the Recovery Time for Breast Lift and Augmentation?
What Is the Recovery Time for Breast Lift and Augmentation?A breast lift with breast implants is a procedure that combines a breast lift to correct sagging breasts and reduce excess breast skin with a breast augmentation procedure to increase breast volume.
This is typically a more involved surgery. For this reason, recovery may be more involved as well. When patients undergo a breast lift without implants recovery time does not include the healing of the breast pocket around the implants and development of associated scar tissue.
With that said, most patients should still plan to take about a week off from work following an augmentation mastopexy procedure — more, if necessary.
Breast Lift Recovery Period Symptoms
After your cosmetic surgery, you will have swelling and bruising, soreness at and around the incision sites, and possibly some changes in breast sensation. It’s not uncommon during the recovery process for there to be some temporary numbness, especially around the areolae and nipples. This should fade after about two weeks or sometimes longer.
You will likely be quite tired, and it may take a day or two to regain your energy. If you notice any worrisome symptoms such as radiating heat or intense redness coming from the incision sites, combined with a fever and/or extreme pain, contact your surgeon immediately.
Do’s and Don’ts During Breast Lift Recovery
For optimal healing and a successful recovery following breast lift surgery, follow these rules:
Do use prescription pain medication to reduce discomfort.
Moderate pain after surgery is normal, but don’t attempt to tough it out. Take the pain medications prescribed to you as directed to minimize your discomfort. As you improve, you will be able to switch to over the counter medications.
Remember to also tell your surgeon about whatever other medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are taking during your recovery. Not all are safe to take for the first few weeks following surgery.
Don’t do any heavy lifting or strenuous activities.
Keeping your blood pressure low is important during recovery. It will help minimize swelling and avoid constricted blood vessels, which may impede blood flow (blood circulation).
This means no intense exercise or lifting heavy objects. Still, you should take short easy walks around your house or yard to reduce blood clots.
Do carefully treat your incision sites.
Your surgeon will tell you how to care for your breast lift incisions for proper healing. With healing breasts, it’s important to avoid sleeping on your front or sides. This will help preserve the final shape of your breasts. It’s also important to keep the incision sites clean and dry.
Don’t forget to eat a healthy diet.
Prepping healthy freezer meals and easy-grab snacks is smart prior to surgery.
Consider a nutritious meal service or grocery delivery as well.
Maintaining a healthy diet post-surgery will improve your wellbeing and help ensure a proper wound healing and recovery.
Do talk to your surgeon about post-surgery massage.
Once your incisions have closed nicely, you may consider massage of the areolae and breast skin.
This can help reduce fluid buildup and swelling, and it may deter the formation of lumpy scar tissue as well. Just be sure to clear this with your surgeon first.
Don’t stop wearing your compression garment.
You will be put into a surgical bra after your procedure, which should be worn as directed. You may be switched to a compression bra or similar garment after a time.
Be sure to follow the directions given to you for wearing these articles as they are intended to aid in the healing process and improve your results.
FAQ: Breast Lift Surgery
How painful is breast lift recovery time?
It’s normal to have some soreness and pain following a lift surgery. Stiffness, burning, tightness, and itching may occur as well.
Fortunately, you’ll have pain medications available to help mitigate this discomfort. Furthermore, pain should be significantly reduced after the first few days of the healing process.
Can a breast lift help with breast reconstruction?
Breast cancer patients who undergo a lumpectomy or mastectomy and are seeking reconstruction surgery may benefit from a breast lift, a breast augmentation with implants, a breast augmentation fat transfer, or a combination of these.
Will I have breast lift scars following surgery?
There are three main types of breast lift surgery, all of which will result in scars but which differ in the types of incisions required.
Any time you’re removing excess skin, fat, or breast tissue, there are going to be scars. Depending on which of the three methods of surgery you and your surgeon decide on, scars may be located around the areola, in the breast crease, and/or on the lower half of the breast itself.
How long should I take off work for a breast lift?
Patients should plan on taking at least one week off from work following breast lift surgeries.
You’ll need to wait longer before you can go back to your regular daily activities and even longer before you can return to physical activities other than walking.
How long does a breast lift last?
The surgery is permanent. However, breasts sag and your breast shape may change with the natural aging process. This isn’t something we can stop.
The key to prolonging your breast lift results is maintaining a steady weight and a healthy lifestyle. Remember that significant weight loss or weight gain may change your results.
Request a Consultation With Dr. Steinberg
Breast lift surgery can improve drooping breasts significantly and give you a more youthful appearance. But undergoing this surgery is a major decision and one that should not be taken lightly.
Whether you are certain you’d like to pursue this procedure or are just doing some exploratory fact-finding for now, we would be happy to meet with you to discuss your goals and options.
Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ashley Steinberg performs breast lift surgery, breast augmentation, breast reduction, and other breast surgery procedures at her Houston practice.
Please call today to schedule your consultation appointment with Dr. Steinberg and her team!
