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Everything You Need to Know About Breast Lift Recovery

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Posted April 28, 2023 in Breast Lift

Are you looking for a bit of a lift or some extra cleavage? A breast lift may be just what you need, especially if excess skin and tissue weigh down the breasts, making them look saggy. A breast lift creates long-term lift and redefines the shape of the breasts to what you desire. This surgical procedure permanently removes excess breast skin to provide a better shape to the breasts and ‘re-inflate’ them when the breasts have fallen flat. Another plus to a breast lift? It repositions saggy nipples, which affects many women after pregnancy and weight loss. However, the breast lift recovery process is an important aspect of your surgery.

Like all elective cosmetic surgeries, a breast lift also comes with a pretty serious recovery period, and there are lots of dos and don’ts to make it as seamless as possible. However, most women say the downtime is worth it, especially since the breasts require little support after a breast lift since the repositioned tissue can hold itself up. 

Here’s everything you need to know about breast lift recovery.

How does a breast lift work?

A breast lift, technically known as a mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that reshapes the breasts to a more desirable position. The surgery is best suited for those who are unhappy with the position of their breasts and nipples and find them to be saggy and lacking shape or asymmetrical.

A breast lift works by repositioning the breasts to a higher position on the chest by removing excess skin and tightening the breast tissue, which together improves the contour of the breasts and, in some cases, their shape. During a breast lift, your surgeon will make small incisions in the breast (your plastic surgeon can use different incisions and locations) to reshape the tissue and, ultimately, the breasts. The nipple is also repositioned so that it sits at a higher position in the breasts for a more youthful and flattering appearance. In some cases, volume via fat or an implant is used to reinstate any lost fullness in the breasts.

The recovery time for a breast lift depends on the extent of the procedure and the specific details. Most patients experience post-procedure swelling, bruising, and tenderness for the first few days to the first week after surgery. Pain medications may be prescribed to help mitigate any pain or discomfort.

While some say that exercises to lift the breasts work, they only target the chest muscles and not the breasts themselves. So if you want to lift and reshape the breasts effectively, a surgical breast lift is the only way to go.

What’s the recovery time for a breast lift?

Every patient is a little different regarding the recovery time of a breast lift. Depending on the surgery’s extent, some patients may take longer to recover.

It’s typical to experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort for the first few days to one week after surgery. However, those symptoms will slowly decrease with time. It takes one to two weeks to recover from a breast lift. Remember that adding volume to the breasts during a breast lift can lead to prolonged healing. 

Most patients are advised to avoid strenuous exercise, activities, or heavy lifting for at least four to six weeks post-surgery. Always follow your surgeon’s instructions to ensure a smooth and successful recovery and healthy healing and scarring. 

A breast lift recovery time is different and often shorter than breast reduction. Both a breast reduction and lift reduce the amount of excess breast tissue, but a reduction goes one step further to reduce the size of the breasts. Breast reduction can lift and reshape the breasts when that is the ultimate goal. 

Will I need to wear a special bra after a breast lift?

You must wear a special breast following a breast lift procedure in Atlanta. When you wake up from surgery, you will be dressed in a special support bra that is important to wear during recovery. Compression bras are worn after a breast lift to help support the breasts and minimize swelling and discomfort as you heal.

You will likely need to change your compression bra a few times during recovery. Sometimes, patients are told to wear different sizes as they recover. Others are instructed to switch from a compression garment to a comfortable wireless front-closing bra. Either way, follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions for proper healing and optimal results. 

What should I do to plan ahead?

You can do a lot in the days leading up to your breast lift to prepare your home and yourself for the recovery ahead. Some surgeons say that patients with the best outcome from a breast lift procedure get a head start on everything they’ll need to ensure a healthy and speedy recovery.

It’s best to stop working out the pectoralis muscles in the weeks leading up to the surgery to make them easier to manipulate surgically. You’ll also want to fill all prescriptions before the surgery and set a place for you to recover in comfort at home. Make sure to have plenty of pre-prepped food on hand, clean sheets, and clothing that’s easy to get in and out of. If you need to arrange for child or pet care, do so before your surgery. You’ll also want to clear any time off from work.

When will I see the final results of my breast lift?

It can take several weeks to months to see the final results of a breast lift settle in. The tissue must take its final shape, and the excess skin must retighten for the breasts to take shape and position. The nipples are also addressed during a breast lift and their higher position, which may be noticeable immediately, although it can change with time.

Another reason it can take time to see your final results because the swelling and bruising often take a few weeks to subside. However, once that dissipates, the results are more noticeable. By the second or third month, the breasts will settle into their new shape and stay there. Of course, before committing to a breast lift in Atlanta, it’s important to talk with your plastic surgeon about what to expect and ensure they are on the same page regarding aesthetic goals. 

Are the results permanent?

Yes, the results of a breast lift are permanent. However, certain factors, including the natural aging process, weight gain and loss, pregnancy, and even menopause, can impact the results of a breast lift and cause changes to the size, shape, and positioning of the breasts. For the most part, patients who undergo a breast lift are happy with their results for a long time, if not forever.

If you find that the results of your breast lift change over time, a secondary procedure may be necessary to refine the breasts. 

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Plastic Surgery Center of Atlanta

5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30342
404-257-9888


Alchemy Aesthetics

5667 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd #285
Atlanta, GA 30342
470-354-3600

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