Why Understanding Breast Lift Recovery is Important
Like all surgeries, a breast lift (medically known as mastopexy) requires some recovery time and care as you heal. You need to understand what recovery entails before your procedure so you can adequately prepare. A well-informed recovery process leads to better satisfaction, improved outcomes, and a smoother journey toward enjoying the perks (and perkiness) of the procedure. The guidance here can help you navigate the healing process, but always default to your plastic surgeon’s advice if it differs from these recommendations.
Factors That Affect Breast Lift Recovery Time
Although breast lift recovery follows a fairly predictable path, forecasting every detail of your journey isn’t an exact science. This is because several individual factors contribute to the timeline of your specific healing process. Your bestie, for example, may feel sluggish for a week after her breast lift while you’re ready to take on the world in three days. (But please don’t as you’re not fully recovered yet.) Personal factors that impact healing time include:
- The extent of your breast lift and whether it was combined with other procedures like breast augmentation or reduction
- Your age and overall health
- Skin elasticity
- Adherence to post-op instructions
- Surgical techniques such as the internal bra method
Week-by-Week Breast Lift Recovery Timeline
Recovering from a breast lift can pose some challenges. For instance, you won’t be able to lift your arms over your head for a time—and you won’t realize how often you actually do that until you’re not allowed. It’s important that you don’t rush the process. Our patients assure us their breast lift results are well worth the wait.
First Week Post-Surgery: Rest and Initial Healing
- What to Expect
- Mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the breasts, usually peaking four or five days after surgery
- A tight feeling around the breasts
- Some pain and soreness, typically manageable with prescribed medications
- Possible mild drainage from incision sites
- Your incisions may start to itch as they heal, but avoid scratching
- You will need to wear a surgical bra 24/7 and keep your incisions covered
- Restrictions
- Avoid lifting your arms above shoulder level, heavy lifting, and any strenuous activities
- Sleep on your back with your upper body slightly elevated
Weeks 2–3: Gradual Improvement
- What to Expect
- Swelling and bruising begin to subside
- Your surgeon will remove your sutures if they are non-dissolvable
- Potential numbness of breast tissue and nipples (this is temporary)
- Activities and Care
- Resume light activities like walking but avoid intense exercise
- Continue wearing the surgical bra or compression garment as instructed
- You may be able to return to work if you have a desk job that doesn’t require lifting, bending, or reaching over your head
Weeks 4–6: Resuming Normal Routines
- What to Expect
- Most swelling has resolved, and bruising is minimal or gone
- Incision sites finish healing
- Scars begin to fade but may still be quite red
- Activities and Restrictions
- Begin recommended scar care
- Resume normal activities and non-strenuous work but continue avoiding chest exercises and lifting; light cardio is fine
- Transition to a supportive bra (without underwire) as recommended by your surgeon
Months 2–3: Final Recovery Phase
- What to Expect
- Residual swelling is nearly gone, and final results become visible
- Scars continue to mature and fade with proper care
- Patients can resume all physical activities, including strength training and high-impact exercises, with surgeon’s clearance
Aftercare Instructions for a Smooth Recovery
Following your aftercare instructions closely helps you to minimize the risk of complications while healing as quickly as possible. At a minimum, your plastic surgeon will ask that you:
- Keep incision sites clean and dry to prevent infection
- Use surgeon-recommended scar creams or silicone sheets to minimize scar visibility
- Wear a surgical or supportive bra 24/7 during the first few weeks to provide proper support and reduce swelling
- Avoid underwire bras until fully healed
- Stay hydrated and eat nutrient-rich foods to promote healing
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as they can impair the healing process
- Sleep on your back with pillows to elevate your upper body for at least the first four to six weeks
Tips for Minimizing Discomfort and Scarring
Many patients share that their two biggest fears about breast lift surgery are being in pain after the procedure and having gnarly, visible scars when it’s over. Happily, we can ease both of these fears for you.
We believe in being fully honest and transparent with our patients. To that end, we acknowledge that patients do experience moderate levels of pain after breast surgery. We will provide you with prescription pain medication, however, and this will keep you comfortable if you take it as directed. You can also manage swelling by applying cold compresses to your breasts for 20 minutes at a time for 24 to 48 hours after your procedure. Reducing swelling reduces discomfort.
Depending on the type of incision needed to lift your breasts, you may have a visible scar running vertically from your areola to the bottom of your breast. Your plastic surgeon will do everything in their power to keep scarring to a minimum, and your scars will fade over time. Scars typically take about a year to fade fully. You can help them along by applying scar creams or silicone sheets.
When to Contact Your Surgeon
Most patients recover without any problems, but complications requiring medical intervention can occur. While these complications are rare, it’s important to contact your surgeon immediately if you experience:
- Signs of infection, such as excessive redness, swelling, or discharge at the incision sites
- Severe pain or pain that doesn’t continue to improve in the days following surgery
- Fever or unexpected and unusual symptoms that arise during recovery
Don’t hesitate to contact your surgeon if you have concerns. If you’re uncertain about whether your question or concern is noteworthy, play it on the safe side and ask us about it. When in doubt, reach out.