The first week after your breast lift is an important time for healing.

It’s also a time when you’re most likely to feel tired and sore, so it’s important to take care of yourself during this period of recovery. We’ve created a list of ways you can help yourself feel better and recover faster after your surgery:

• Take it easy! You should be resting as much as possible during the first week after your breast lift procedure. This means avoiding strenuous activity and heavy lifting, but it also means not overdoing it at work or around the house.
• Don’t forget to eat! It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of your new body and forget about taking care of yourself, but it’s important not to skip meals or snacks in order to avoid overeating later on down the road (which could lead to complications).
• Drink plenty of water! While you should avoid alcohol during this period because it interferes with healing and increases the risk for infection, staying hydrated is key for optimal recovery from any kind of surgery—and especially from an invasive procedure like [name of procedure].
• Keep track of medications! If there are any prescribed medications you need to take (such as antibiotics), make sure you

1 week after breast lift

NIGHT AFTER SURGERY

Temporary bruising, swelling and numbness are common the first night after surgery.  You may need to go to the bathroom frequently during the night because of the IV fluids you were given during your surgery. Drink a lot of fluids in order to keep up with this fluid loss. As your body begins to balance itself out, it will rid itself of this extra “water weight and everything will return back to normal. You should leave all of your bandages intact overnight including your Bra and elastic ACE wrap.

ONE DAY AFTER SURGERY

The next morning following your surgery, you will return to Dr Motykie’s office for your first post-operative visit. You should leave all bandages and dressings intact overnight and until you reach the office the following morning.  Upon arrival to the office you will be escorted to a private examination room where your dressings will be changed and your operative sites will be evaluated. After your examination, you will be placed back into your surgical brassiere and ACE compression wrap and you will be allowed to return back to your home. All of your questions will be answered and you will be given instructions for the following week that will include the following:

You may feel tired and sore for several days following the surgery.  Your breasts will be swollen and tender. The sensation/feeling in the areolas/nipples may also be diminished the immediate post-operative period and may take several months to return to normal. Specific instructions regarding exercise, bras, compression bandages/garments will also be provided. Strenuous activity, particularly utilizing the chest and arms, will be restricted for the first few weeks after surgery. You will most likely be able to return to work within a few days depending on your job. Patients may shower the next day after surgery with care taken to not soak the sticky tapes over the insertion site. Aerobic and impact cardio exercise should be avoided for one to two weeks post-operatively. Weight lifting should be avoided for 3-4 weeks post-operatively and chest exercise should not begin until 4-6 weeks post-operatively. The resumption of and amount of physical /athletic activity should be guided by the level of patient discomfort with “pain” being the ultimate guide.

ONE WEEK AFTER SURGERY

For the first week after surgery, you will wear an elastic ACE bandage and your surgical bra over gauze dressings. The results of your surgery will typically be obscured by swelling and bruising at one week after surgery. In fact, you may even notice during the first week or two after your surgery that your breast appear slightly “too large”. Do not be alarmed, this is completely normal and is due to swelling from the surgery. If the breasts were the perfect size immediately after surgery, they would most likely end up being too small after the swelling resolves. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn’t be severe. Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved with your prescribed medications but most women say that a mastopexy surgery is almost “painless.” Some people can return to work after a few days and some after one week. Most patients can drive their vehicles within a few days after surgery, but plan on having someone drive you to your first few post-operative visits anyway. In regards to an exercise program, use common sense and use pain as your guide; if it hurts, simply don’t do it!  The majority of patients are allowed to return to light, low impact cardiovascular exercise after the first week of recovery. You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by the swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades away as the swelling subsides over the several weeks or so.

During this time period, there may be some moderate pain, but it can typically be treated with your prescription pain medications. You may want to wear an athletic or support bra until the swelling has subsided (Bra information). Heavy lifting or straining should be avoided after surgery because this can cause the breasts to swell and increase pressure. You can typically return to work within a week and to full activity within a few weeks. Sensation in your nipples may be reduced temporarily, but should return to normal or become hypersensitive as your breasts heal.

ONE MONTH AFTER SURGERY

If you are still feeling a bit tired during this time don’t worry because it will take you a few weeks or months to feel completely like yourself again. Depending on the amount of physical exertion required to perform your expected duties, you should already be back into your normal rhythm at work. Exercise and workout routines may begin at this point in your recovery process with pain as your ultimate guide. Any activity that causes discomfort and/or pain needs to be avoided until further along in your recovery process. When you return to the activity, start at half speed and increase to your normal routine as long as you do not feel any pain during and/or the day after your workout.  Although exercising will not adversely affect your end result, it may temporarily cause more swelling immediately after the exercise that will subside over the next few hours. The majority of my breast lift patients are back to their regular workout routine within 4-6 weeks after their surgery.

During this period, sensory changes of the nipples and breast are normal and only temporary. Typically, normal sensitivity will return slowly over time. Lastly, as sensation begins to return some patients experience a hypersentivity in the nipples and/or areolas. This is also completely normal and temporary, and is a sign that normal sensation is beginning to return to the breasts. Over the next several months many of the benefits of your breast lift surgery will begin to materialize and you will begin to enjoy the transformation you have received form your breast surgery.

• Surgical Bra: At this point in time you are no longer required to be wearing any surgical compression garment. However, many patients choose to continue some sort of light compression clothing during this time period including spanks or similar spandex type clothing.
• Healing Process: There are some procedures/ treatment modalities available that can support and/or may accelerate your healing process such as Endermologie, Ultrasound and/or Radiofrequency treatments. There are several scar therapies on the market and there are many different types of laser scar removal treatments that can be utilized at different times in the course of the overall healing process that were not available 5-10 years ago,

LONG TERM RESULTS

All patients vary in their ability and speed to recovery after surgery but most commonly you can expect the final result from surgery to be evident at six months after surgery.  By this point in time, your breasts should be close to their final shape and size and it is therefore the proper time to begin shopping for additional bras and swimwear.  If you become pregnant after the surgery, the operation should not affect your ability to breast-feed, since your milk ducts and nipples have been left intact. All breast lifting techniques require removal of excess skin which will create scars on the breast. However, most scars fade away to thin lines with time and they are strategically located in areas that are covered by bathing suites and clothing. Most patients find these scars to be very minimal in comparison to the improvement in the shape and size of their new breasts. In addition, there are now numerous way to treat breasts scarring during and after the healing process utilizing scar therapies and laser treatments if necessary.

COMBINED PROCEDURES

Breast lift surgery corrects breast sagging using a combination of techniques that allows for the removal of excess breast skin, reshaping of the breast mound and repositioning of the nipple. A breast lift alone, however, may not provide sufficient upper breast mound fullness in patients that feel that their breasts have also “deflated” in addition to becoming droopy.  In this case, a breast implant can be inserted to add volume and upper pole fullness at the same time as the breasts lift surgery. Some surgeons may recommend breaking this surgery into two separate surgeries which ends up being much more expensive, stressful on the body and time consuming for a patient that needs to schedule additional time off from work. Dr Motykie, however, prefers to do both surgeries at the same time because it allows the surgery to be more affordable for my patients as well as having them undergo one anesthesia, one recovery process and one time period off from work.  Dr Motykie is very experienced in performing combined breast lift/augmentation procedures using both saline and silicone breast implants as well as being proficient in performing all the most current and effective breast lifting techniques. Lastly, since one of the most common reasons women seek breast lift surgery is a prior pregnancy/breast feeding that has led to deflated, droopy breasts, a breast lift surgery may be combined with other body contouring procedures such as liposuction and/or a tummy tuck which is commonly termed a “Mommy Makeover.”

What to Expect First Week After a Breast Lift

“From small beginnings come great things.” – author unknown

From resting and eating to lifting and love-making, here’s what you can expect – and do – from the first day after your breast augmentation or breast lift surgery to your first post-op visit one week later. Top tip: Listen to your body.

RECOVERING
How will you feel after getting breast implants? Women most often describe the feeling as discomfort, not pain. Those who have had children say they feel like they did when their breasts were fully engorged with milk after childbirth. Women who haven’t had kids describe the feeling as tightness, burning or pressure. After breast lift surgery, patients report to us that they have minimal discomfort. That’s because a breast lift involves removing only loose, stretched skin. Post-op discomfort usually starts to ease up on the fourth day after surgery. Until then, you can take the medications that are prescribed to make you comfortable during the recovery period.

RESTING
You’ll be home the same day after your surgery, and you need time to rest and heal. That doesn’t mean you have to stay in bed, but you should take it easy for one week. Listen to your body and my instructions – not to the voice in your head that tells you the living room needs vacuuming. If you need an excuse note from chores, I’d be happy to write one for you!

♥ “I was so scared of having extreme pain and I only had a little discomfort. It’s just been 8 days and I feel great, sexy and beautiful.” ♥

EATING
Although patients very rarely report nausea and vomiting after their surgery, it’s best to start off with clear soups the first evening. Although it might be tempting to order a pizza, avoid fast foods the first day. By lunchtime the day after surgery, you can eat whatever you want – even a big meal.

Read more: Is this normal? When will my breasts drop and fluff? 

DRESSING
Generally, my breast augmentation patients wear a sports bra day and night the first week after surgery, except for when they take a shower. The band at the bottom of the bra helps to re-establish the crease under the breast. Breast lift patients may have to wear a bra for a longer period of time; everyone gets individualized instructions to maximize their results.

♥ “The recovery was way faster then I thought.” ♥

SLEEPING
You don’t have to sleep on your back or sit up all night after cosmetic breast surgery. You can sleep any way you want from the night of surgery on, including on your stomach, if you are comfortable enough. You won’t pop or displace your implants by sleeping on them; they are extremely durable. [WATCH OUR VIDEO: Do I Have to Sleep on My Back?]

WASHING
You can take a shower the day after surgery, but you should wait until the third week to take a bath. If you soak in a tub, the water could penetrate the incision and cause an infection. By contrast, the shower water runs off the incision and doesn’t soak into it.

♥  “I went home shortly after surgery, had absolutely no nausea (ever!) and ate dinner regularly. The next day I was up and walking around, even left the house to get a mani pedi. The recovery has been incredibly easy.” ♥ 

DRIVING
Anesthesia stays in your system for at least 24 hours after surgery, which means you’ll be a little groggy. You might also be taking medication for discomfort the first few days. If you aren’t taking any narcotics, you can probably drive as early as Day 3.

LIFTING
For the first few days, you will need to depend on someone else to lift your baby or toddler. On the third day (if you had surgery on Monday, Day 3 is Thursday), you can pick up your child to transfer them to a crib, high chair or car seat. This rule is to ensure your comfort and minimize the risk of bleeding around the implants. You should not carry your child for extended periods until a couple of weeks after surgery

LOVE-MAKING
No sex for a full week. Sexual activity could raise your blood pressure and cause bleeding around the implants. At the first postoperative visit, I’ll examine you to make sure you are healing well – before I give you the go-ahead.

WORKING
More than 90 percent of my patients are back to work in office setting by the fifth day after surgery. Patients who use their arms a lot – including hairstylists, waitresses and nurses – are comfortably back to work by the end of the second week.

breast lift recovery tips

9 TIPS FOR BREAST LIFT RECOVERY

A breast lift, also referred to as Mastopexy, is a procedure that Miami Plastic Surgeon Dr. Tal Roudner frequently performs in Miami. Sometimes, breasts lose their firmness and shape after a woman becomes pregnant and breast-feeds her child. This can also happen as a woman ages and loses weight.

Dr. Roudner can lift and then reshape the breasts. When an individual has breast lift surgery, recovering properly is important. There are measures that an individual can take to hasten her recovery period and make it easier on her body.

Do you want a tummy tuck? Call our Miami office today at 305-767-7719 for a free consultation!

9 Tips To Help Your Recovery From A Breast Lift Procedure

1. In the majority of cases, Dr. Roudner instructs his patients to wear a supporting sports bra or a bra with no wire for the first three weeks. This gives support to the healing breasts and lets the breast heal in a natural way especially when a breast implant is involved. After three weeks a wire bra may be used.

2. Breast lift surgery is a procedure that requires a two to three week period of no heavy lifting or strenuous activity. The patient can return to work at about a week after the surgery if the job does not require demanding physical daily activities. At two weeks light lifting is allowed. Activities that are more vigorous require approximately six weeks recovery time. For example, pulling, pushing, heavy lifting or any other exercise that demands force must be avoided until Dr. Roudner says it is safe to resume these activities.

3. Following a breast lift, you should avoid having any kind of added pressure on your chest and should not sleep on your stomach.

4. When bathing, care should be taken as there are sutures that require preservation.

5. The first few days are generally the most difficult. You will experience some pain and discomfort. Relaxing and avoiding unnecessary movements, while maintaining adequate ambulation to avoid a blood clot (DVT – deep vein thrombosis, during this time is helpful. While not sleeping should spend most of your time in a beach chair position such as on the couch watching TV. Movement of the feet up and down like pressing on the gas pedal in the car will assist in maintaining lower body circulation. Dr. Roudner may prescribe medication to make you more comfortable. This medication should be taken as directed by Dr. Roudner.

6. You need to keep track of any unusual changes. If you experience any discharge, bleeding, or an increase bruising or swelling, contact Dr. Roudner.

7. Avoid wearing a bra with an underwire until Dr. Roudner clears you to do so.

8. Dr. Roudner will most likely remove your sutures within two weeks of your breast lift procedure. However, it usually takes several months for the signs of your surgery to become less noticeable. Dr. Roudner may prescribe you creams that could help diminish the signs of scars. If you are susceptible to developing irregular scars, be sure to tell Dr. Roudner so he can discuss your medical options with you.

9. Following your Mastopexy, you may experience anesthesia related issues like nausea. Dr. Roudner may decide to prescribe you medication to alleviate this symptom.

Following Your Breast Lift Surgery

Once your breast lift procedure is complete, bandages or dressings are applied to your incisions. You will receive specific instructions to follow. These instructions may include:

• Caring for your breasts
• Medications to take orally or apply to aid in the healing process and reduce your risk of infection
• When to follow-up with Dr. Roudner

View our Breast Lift Surgery Before & After Photo Gallery