Cosmetic Procedures - Breast Lift - After Surgery

At the completion of surgery, the patient may wear a special surgical bra for support or may only have the breasts taped dependent upon the types of procedures performed. Patients are discharged to home after recovery from the anesthetic. Pain is usually quite minimal unless an extensive procedure is performed or breasts implants are concurrently placed which will cause some muscle tenderness. Swelling and bruising, although present for one to two weeks after surgery, is usually not severe. Patients should limit their physical activities to avoid strenuous exercise or overhead lifting for several weeks despite how little pain one may have.

The stitches are usually removed in seven to ten days and often only sutures placed beneath the skin which do not require removal may be used. Numbness of the breast skin or nipple may be present but is usually temporary. Scars from the incisions, although permanent, will fade significantly in time. It is important that topical scar therapy be used between 3 weeks and 3 months after surgery for optimal healing and fading of the breast scars.

Complications such as infection and bleeding are quite uncommon. Minor delayed healing of some of the incisions may occur but will eventually progress to complete healing, usually within the first month. The complexity of the breast lift procedure, particularly when used with an implant, may necessitate a second surgery to optimize the shape between the two breasts or the resultant scars. Such revisional surgery is needed in about 20% of the cases and is much more likely when the amount of ptosis (sagginess or hanging if the breasts) is significant preoperatively. The most common need for revision is due to asymmetry between the two breasts, differences in the size and position of the nipples, and other concerns associated with breast implants. It is also very important to understand that breast lift procedures, while often producing dramatic changes in the appearance of the breasts after surgery, does not completely prevent the continued events of gravity over time. Therefore, some degree of recurrent sagging will eventually develop in most lifted breasts, particularly in those patients who do not receive an implant with their lift.