Breast Lift Recovery
Sagging breasts can be easily fixed with a corrective breast lift surgery. If you've been bothered by the look of your breasts and have considered a breast lift, you should learn about the recovery process.
Breast Lift Post Op Instructions
A breast lift procedure is a serious undertaking that can promise dramatic improvements to a woman's life. The question that's on every woman's mind, however, is: just how complicated is the recovery? The bottom line is that a breast lift takes a long time to heal from and you will have a strict set of breast lift post op instructions to deal with.
Even though the surgery is quick and safe, successful patients typically remark that it was the post op period that was the most trying. That's because a breast that's operated on is tender and extremely sensitive to the touch. Most patients receiving an outpatient procedure can go home immediately. Patients who were under general anesthesia have to stay at least overnight in the hospital before going home. That's because anesthesia leaves people drowsy and uncoordinated after a surgery.
Patients are usually instructed to avoid returning to work for at least a week. If constant physical activity is a requirement for the job, a patient is told to stay home for at least two weeks. During the first week, swelling and bruising will be at its worst. Usually the doctor instructs the patient to wear a compression garment. For a woman, a compression garment can be a simple as a sports bra, but can also be designed specifically for breast lift patients. The function of a compression garment is two-fold: it provides support for the new shape and keeps swelling down.
Follow instructions
Some surgeons will prescribe you a pain medication and an antibiotic. It's important to follow the instructions specific to each prescription.
After the Procedure
Immediately after the surgery, you can be driven home if you were only under local anesthetic. If general anesthesia was used, you'll have to stay for one or two nights to recover from the effects. Typical symptoms include nausea, weakness, and muddled thoughts.
First Few Days
For the first two or three days, the swelling and bruising of the chest area will be at its height. Patients must begin wearing a compression garment. It's usually just a sports bra, but custom undergarments designed to help breast lift patients are around. Sleeping on the stomach should be avoided for at least two weeks. In fact, the proper sleeping position should be upright or somewhat elevated. This helps keep the area drained of any accumulating fluids. Another key breast lift post op instruction is to keep moisturizing the breast skin to prevent drying. Of course, moisturizer should not be applied directly on the sutured incision. Obvious physical activities like exercise that involve bending over should be avoided because this could cause additional swelling and bleeding.
Until your breasts have fully healed (and that could take about two months) you should not do any serious exercise. A compression garment will have to stay on for the whole time.
The function of a compression garment is twofold:
- it minimizes swelling,
- it supports the newly shaped breast.
First Week
The first week after the surgery should be spent resting at home. During this time, patients need to rest in bed as much as possible in an upright position. Sleeping on the stomach is a big no-no. Any physical activity that could raise your blood pressure is not recommended. Throughout the first week your breasts will be larger than their final size. As the swelling subsides the breasts will assume their final shape, size, and position.
Week 2 -->
After the first week most patients can return to work. If their work consists of strenuous physical activity the patient should wait another week before assuming daily activity.
The Following Months
For the first few months, regular visits to the surgeon will help ensure that your recovery is proceeding on schedule. Any sutures remaining behind will be removed during this phase. If there were any dissolvable sutures used, these will go away on their own.
Most patients won't see the final result for several months to half a year. The breast tissue takes a long time to fully heal, and until they do, you won't necessarily see the change. Even after the scars have formed, the underlying breast tissue can take up to six months to heal. That's why some patients don't see the results until months later. You should follow your surgeon's breast lift post op instructions to the letter to ensure that you achieve the breasts you want with the fewest complications.
Keeping the breasts moisturized and avoiding activities that can jar your breasts are the most important keys to recovery in the months to follow. By following your surgeon's instructions you can ensure a quicker recovery. The biggest mistake a patient can make is return to an active physical life too soon.
Learn More
A breast lift is a large investment of time, but it can have huge payoffs for your mind and body. Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon to further discuss the process of recovering from a breast lift.
Side Effects and Risks
If you have been considering a breast lift to correct that big of chest sag, then you're probably interested in knowing the side effects and risks of the procedure. That's understandable. A breast lift is a serious medical procedure that includes more complications than most other cosmetic surgeries.
The most basic risks associated with an invasive medical procedure can be avoided by choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon. With accreditation comes an expectation of experience and skill. But even the best surgeons can't prevent the unpredictable. You should at least be aware of the problems that can arise during and after
the surgery.
Anesthesia
During the surgery you could have an allergic reaction to the anesthesia that will be used on you. However, a thorough examination of your medical history should reveal these allergic tendencies. If you're going under general anesthesia there are more complications than local anesthesia. With a general anesthesia comes a long downtime after the surgery. Most patients feel nauseous and weak afterwards, thus requiring an overnight hospital stay.
Scarring
One of the biggest side effects of a breast lift is scarring. The breasts in particular are sensitive to incisions. Scars that arise from the incisions as they heal don't fade as easily as other parts of the body. Most breast lift patients have permanently visible scars that serve as a reminder that they had surgery. Scars can usually be hidden in the bottom portion of the breast, allowing patients to wear low-cut tops and bathing suits without much worry. Some scarring irregularities can arise if the patient has a history of skin problems.
Reaction With The Prescription Drugs
Another allergic reaction can occur with the prescription drugs you'll need to stem the discomfort and pain after the surgery. Antibiotics like penicillin and painkillers like Novocain can cause adverse reactions. There are always alternatives to these drugs if an allergy does develop.
Temporary Nerve Damage
Permanent nerve damage is a rare occurrence, though temporary nerve damage is a common ailment. Patients can feel numbness or tingling for several months after the surgery. The sense of feeling should return as the tissues heal, though some patients never fully recover.
A breast lift isn't permanent unless an internal breast lift was used to help make the transformation stick. The original causes of breast sag remain present so it's likely that with time the breasts will begin to sag again.
Free Consultation with a Board Certified US Breast Lift Surgeon
To learn more about Breast Lift Surgery please complete the contact form below, or call us today at the number found in the upper right corner of this page. You will then get the option to schedule a free consultation with a Board Certified Surgeon in Your local area. The majority of surgeons have financing plans available to offer their customers.
