Breast Lift Vs Breast Reduction Recovery

When looking at the topic of breast lift vs breast reduction recovery, it is important to understand the options available and what they offer. In this guide, we review the aspects of Breast Lift Vs Breast Reduction Recovery, non surgical breast lift, breast reduction recovery time, and how much can i lift after breast reduction.

In this guide, we review the aspects of Breast Lift Vs Breast Reduction Recovery, non surgical breast lift, breast reduction recovery time, and how much can i lift after breast reduction.

Breast reduction and breast lift procedures can be great options for women who wish to reduce or alter the position of their breasts. They are also effective surgeries for any woman wanting to refine the size or shape of their breasts. So, which one should you choose? That all depends on your personal goals and expectations. Below you will find information pertaining to the differences and similarities breast reduction and breast lift procedures share, which might just help you decide which surgery is right for you.

Breast Lift Vs Breast Reduction Recovery

Breast reduction

A breast reduction, or a reduction mammoplasty, can reduce a significant amount of volume and alleviate excess weight in the breast area. It does this by removing excess skin, fat and tissue to reduce the size of the breasts. This procedure is beneficial for women who are seeking to reduce the size of their breasts because of health issues or personal preference. Often when the breast reduction procedure is performed, women experience a much more lifted appearance. Some patients opt to have their areolas reduced or in some cases have their excess tissue sent off to be screened for breast cancer.

Most women who opt for a breast reduction struggle with the following due to their breast size and weight:

Breast lift

A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is most beneficial for women who have sagging breasts. This type of procedure reshapes and supports the breast tissue to achieve a more youthful figure. It also helps restore the shape and volume that may have been lost due to age, weight loss or breastfeeding. Because a breast lift repositions the location of the breasts, they can appear smaller. However, only excess skin is removed, not the actual breast tissue. Often with breast lifts, the nipple and areolas are repositioned and reduced in size to create a more natural look.

Most women who opt for a breast lift struggle with the following due to their breast position:

Which one is right for you?

Despite their differences, most patients who have these procedures to attain their specific goals are highly satisfied with their results. Both procedures are relatively easy to recover from and require 2 to 4 weeks of downtime. Even though both procedures address different issues, it is not unusual for women to encounter both excess breast tissue and sagging. Commonly, these women get the best results by receiving a combination of breast reduction and breast lift procedures. If you are considering a breast reduction, breast lift or a combination of the two, do your research and find a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss which one is right for your specific goals.

non surgical breast lift

A breast lift, also called a mastopexy, is a plastic surgery procedure that enhances sagging breasts by taking out extra skin and tightening the tissue that remains. The result: less sagging and more shapely, younger-looking breasts.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that breast lifts have increased a whopping 70% in the past 20 years. This procedure is even more popular than breast augmentation.

However, some patients are wary of a traditional breast lift because of the anesthesia and surgery involved. But did you know that you can have a breast lift without surgery in some cases?

A nonsurgical breast lift can be a perfect choice because you don’t need to risk anesthesia, bleeding, infections, or scarring.

While nonsurgical breast lifts won’t offer the same impressive results as conventional surgery. Nonetheless, non-surgical options are still worth thinking about if you want to perk up your breasts a bit without surgery and downtime.

Below are seven nonsurgical breast lift procedures to consider.

BodyTite

This non-surgical contouring procedure is appropriate for many parts of the body, including your breasts. The BodyTite device emits radiofrequency energy deep into the skin, which stimulates the production of collagen.

When the breast skin produces more collagen, it firms the skin and lifts the breasts to a more natural position.

If your surgeon performs a scarless breast lift with the BodyTite instrument, he or she will apply an electrode to the area to be treated, and a cannula is placed under the skin. The electrode and cannula work as one to send the RF energy into the tissue.

This causes the skin to contract and make collagen, which, over time, will cause your breasts to lift slightly.

Laser Treatments

Laser treatments use intense energy beams to eliminate dead skin cells while also enhancing collagen production in the skin. Laser cosmetic treatments are often used to reduce wrinkles, aging spots, and scars.

If your body is encouraged to produce more collagen, it can enhance skin elasticity in the breast area. However, the lifting that results will be minor and temporary. You also will need to have several treatments for ideal results.

Caci Bust Treatment

The Caci bust treatment was first a type of muscle injury treatment, and it targets the muscle tissue under your breasts. With a handheld wand, your surgeon will focus strong electrical pulses on the muscles under the breasts.

After several treatments, you should see a better tone in your chest muscles, which can lift and smooth the breasts.

Like any other type of muscle training, the results depend on how often you have the procedure. Your surgeon may recommend a few weeks of these treatments for the best results.

Thermage

This is another procedure that produces collagen under the skin, and it utilizes radio waves to tighten protein fibers in your skin.

During this non-invasive process, your surgeon will use a TheramCool device, which sends radio waves deep into the skin. After this treatment, you should see tighter skin in your breasts right away.

Tighter collagen fibers in your chest may enhance your natural shape. But you will need to repeat the treatment regularly as the effects last a few months only.

Renuvion Skin Tightening/J-Plasma

This device is new, and it provides skin tightening for many parts of the body that is less invasive than other procedures.

Cold plasma energy makes the skin contract, and the skin is encouraged to produce new collagen.

In the hands of your surgeon, the device delivers lifting and tightening energy to the breasts and enhances your natural contours with helium gas that is ionized with RF energy.

Like the Thermage treatment, this option has the surgeon put a probe under your skin to encourage the area to contract and tighten.

One advantage of this treatment is you only need it once for long-term results.

Vampire Breast Lift

This is a newer anti-aging lifting procedure that uses your plasma to lift the breast, similar to how a push-up bra works.

This procedure won’t be the perfect solution for severely sagging breasts, but it can give a slight lift, and you also will have fewer wrinkles and scars in this intimate area.

The results take a few months to appear, and it’s not recommended if you breastfeed or are pregnant.

Botox Injections

Botox works by relaxing the muscles under the skin to create a smooth, less wrinkled skin surface. This treatment was introduced decades ago to treat facial fine lines and wrinkles. Since then, FDA has even approved it to treat migraines.

Some plastic surgeons have used Botox injections in the pectoral area to slightly boost patients’ breasts.

breast reduction recovery time

Although breast reduction, also known as reduction mammoplasty, has been performed for over a century, the procedure did not become popular until the mid-1980s. At Salas Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL, Dr. R. Emerick Salas, M.D. is excited to offer this life-changing procedure. To help you determine if it is right for you, today, we are discussing how long it takes to recover from the procedure, what you can expect during the recovery and how to make it go faster. 

How Long Does it Take to Recover From Breast Reduction? 

Recovering from a breast reduction can take anywhere from two to six weeks. Everyone recovers at a different rate, but the most important factor determining how long recovery takes is what you define as recovery. You will only need to take a week off from work if you have a sedentary job or two weeks off from work if you have a very active job.

Nevertheless, depending on how you feel, you may need someone to help you take care of your pets and household chores for up to three weeks. If you define recovery as having no restrictions regarding activities you can perform safely, you will not be recovered fully for six weeks. Until six weeks have passed since your procedure, you should not engage in vigorous exercise like swimming, weight lifting, running up hills and biking at an intense pace.

What to Expect During the First 72 Hours Post-Op

In the first 72 hours following your procedure, you will feel tired. During the first few hours after your breast reduction, you can expect to feel groggy. We strongly encourage you to nap whenever your eyelids feel heavy. The more you rest, the sooner you will heal and recover. It is perfectly normal to feel groggy after any procedure that involves general anesthesia or sedation. Be patient, rest, and the grogginess will fade.

You can expect to continue feeling exceptionally tired after the grogginess wears off if you take prescription analgesics. Again, this is a perfectly normal response to these medications. Listen to your body and take a nap whenever you feel like staying awake is too hard. We recommend arranging activities that do not take too much mental energy to keep yourself entertained.

What to Expect a Week After Your Procedure

A week after your procedure, you can expect to start feeling like your old self. If you have a desk job, you may return to work if you want to. You should also be taking long walks around the neighborhood if you are feeling well-rested.

You are free to drive 24 hours after you have stopped taking your prescription analgesics. Most people find they only need to take these medications after a few days. However, you may need to take the drugs for more than three days depending on the extent of your procedure.

What to Expect a Month After Your Procedure

A month after your procedure, you will be essentially fully healed. While everyone heals at a different rate, you can expect for your incisions to be healed fully three to four weeks after your procedure. Once your incisions are fully healed, you may take a bath.

Note, you cannot shower within the first 24 hours post-op. If you want to wash your hair within the first 24 hours of your procedure, you can have someone help you take a bath in your sink or buy dry shampoo.

How Can I Make My Recovery Process Go Faster? 

There are several things you can do to make your reduction mammoplasty recovery go faster but they can all be summarized succinctly. Follow all of Dr. Salas’s instructions to the letter. During your initial consultation, you will receive an all-inclusive list of instructions. If you don’t believe you can follow all of these post-op care instructions, you may not be a good candidate for this procedure. Here is a brief overview of what will be expected of you.

Drink More Water Than You Think You Need to

One of the easiest ways to help your recovery go faster and more comfortably is to drink more water than you think you need to drink. Unfortunately, many Miamians think that drinking when they are thirsty is adequate. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In fact, by the time you feel thirsty, you have actually been dehydrated for quite a while. Furthermore, most people mistake thirst signals for hunger and eat something salty rather than drink something hydrating.

The only way to know for sure if you are hydrated is to assess the color of your urine. If it is not at least very pale, you are dehydrated and need to focus on consuming more hydrating foods and beverages. Staying hydrated will shorten your recovery time and increase your comfort because it helps to keeps your blood pressure within a safe range and water is necessary for the healing of your skin.

Sleep More Than You Usually Do

Sleeping more than you usually do is also an important part of healing as quickly as possible after your procedure. Most people suffer from sleep deprivation; even if you do not suffer from sleep deprivation, your body will heal itself faster the more you allow it to rest. To make sure you get enough sleep, let the people in your house know how important your rest is. Then, turn off all of your alarms and let your brain wake you up when your body is rested well enough.

We strongly encourage you to practice sleeping on your back in the two weeks leading up to your procedure if you do not usually sleep on your back. You need to sleep on your back for the first 14 days post-op. You can’t sleep on your stomach because too much pressure would be put on your incisions. It is advisable to practice sleeping on your back before your procedure so you are more likely to sleep soundly when you need adequate rest the most.

Take Several Short Walks Per Day

It is crucial that you nap when you feel tired, try your hardest to sleep at least nine hours per night and rest when you feel only a little tired. Nevertheless, it is also crucial that you walk as much as you can. Walking supports your cardiovascular system and your cardiovascular system plays a critical role in transporting nutrients to your skin so it can heal.

Remember, listen to your body. You don’t need to try to walk at a moderate pace for exercise within the first 24 hours post-op. However, after the first 24 hours, consider pacing up and down the hall until you feel tired. You may want to walk around your house for the first couple of days until you feel confident that you can walk outside without feeling too tired and needing to sit down urgently.

Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure? 

During your initial consultation, we will review your medical history and assess your current health to ensure that you are healthy enough for this procedure. Once we determine that you are healthy enough to be considered a good candidate for this procedure, we will discuss your goals with you to ensure that it is an appropriate solution for you to achieve your goals.

Most people who want to reduce the size of their breasts will be considered a good candidate if they are fairly healthy. However, this is not always the case. For example, you may want to hold off on this procedure if you are planning to have children in the future. Pregnancy often leads to an increase in breast size and this change may not go away on its own. Here are some questions you should ask yourself when considering whether this procedure is for you:

Learn More About This Life-Changing Procedure Today

A breast reduction can improve your quality of life in ways you may currently be unable to imagine. Women who opt for this procedure because they are displeased with the size or shape of their breasts often notice that their lower back pain is eased after this procedure. If you think reduction mammoplasty can benefit you, contact our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Salas at Salas Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL.

how much can i lift after breast reduction

Breast Reduction Surgery is a great option if you are looking to get a more proportionate body and help solve your shoulder, back, and neck pain. The reduction procedure involves the removal of excess fat and skin to achieve smaller sized breasts that are proportionate to the rest of your body. The new size for your breasts is determined during the initial consultation with Sydney Plastic Surgeon Dr Scott Turner. Here are Dr Turner’s best tips and advice for exercise after breast reduction surgery.

Download Dr Turner’s Guide to Breast Reduction Surgery – Boob Reduction Sydney

Multiple surgical techniques can be used to achieve your desired aesthetic results. The breast reduction surgery is a complex intervention that aims to restore more than just a harmonious body. You will notice that once the volume of your breasts is reduced, you might be able to do activities that were a real challenge before – such as exercising, for example. You might be eager to start an exercise routine but it is always a good idea to give your body time to rest and heal.

Post-Surgery Care after Breast Reduction  

Swelling and inflammation are quite common post-breast reduction. It is advised to wear a compression garment, sleep on your back in an elevated position to help reduce swelling. Exercising immediately after the surgery is not recommended as it can lead to potential complications.

You can start moving by walking around the house for the first few weeks after the surgery. It is one of the best exercises to do post breast reduction as it promotes circulation, kick starts the healing process and prevents blood clotting.

Pay Attention to Your Body

After getting approval from Dr Turner, you can return to your household tasks and start gentle exercising. It is important to do only low-impact activities in the beginning. An elliptical or a stationary bike work amazingly well. You need to listen to your body and do not push it too hard. Until your breasts are fully healed, it is best to avoid all exercises that target your chest muscles. Make sure to avoid swimming, rowing and running during the surgery recovery phase. The same advice for bench press, chest press, and chest flies.

Breast Reduction Surgery – Considerations and Precautions

First things first, follow all the instructions given by Dr Turner closely. Wear a post-surgery garment to prevent swelling, soreness and injury. It is best to wear a surgical bra for six weeks and then make a switch to a sports bra.

Stay clear of sports for the initial six weeks post-surgery to avoid exercise-induced injury. If you experience shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat and chest pains while working out, immediately stop exercising and drink some water. If the symptoms persist, contact your surgeon.

Look out for signs of infections such as redness, odour or pus, immediately contact Dr Turner if any of these persist.

It is important to remember that everyone heals at a different pace and it is important to be extremely patient during the recovery phase. However, here is a general exercise timeline to follow after breast reduction:

Week 1 to 2 After Breast Reduction

Dr Turner encourages all of his breast reduction patients to go on short walks as soon they possibly can. It shouldn’t be too long. A simple ten to fifteen-minute walk will do the trick. It will prevent stiffness and make you feel better. However, make sure to rest as well. Apart from small walks, aim at sleeping at least eight hours at night and take naps throughout the day as needed. This light activity during the first two weeks after surgery will help you with:

Week 2 to 4 after Breast Reduction Surgery

You can resume all your household activities after week two. During this time, most people are allowed to go back to work (depending on whether you have a desk job or your work is physically demanding). If your recovery is going smoothly, Dr Turner will allow you to resume light workouts that target your legs and stomach. Low intensity lower body workouts are a great point to start. You can also extend the duration of your walks. Make sure you are wearing a supportive bra while working out. If you feel out of breath or tired, give yourself a break.

Week 4 to 6 after Breast Reduction Surgery

You will begin to feel fairly normal again. Most people can resume moderate exercises six weeks after the surgery. Make sure to check in with Dr Turner. It is still advised to avoid exercising your chest muscles until your surgeon gives you a go. You can do all other exercises at this point.

Week 6 to 8 after Breast Reduction Surgery

Most patients are fully healed by this point and can return to their pre-surgery exercise routine. You can lift weights, perform chest exercises, do moderate to high-intensity workouts. However, it is important to start slow and gradually build up the intensity.

Dos and Don’ts of Exercising after Breast Reduction Surgery

Here are a few dos and don’ts of exercising post breast reduction surgery:

Dos

While breast surgery is amazing for women who have struggled to find clothes and experience back/neck pain, it comes with a recovery period. Most people are eager to jump back to their routines but there is always a right way to do it. One of the first things you need to do is ‘walk every single day’ post breast reduction. Walking is amazing for increasing blood flow which eventually leads to quick recovery of body tissues and muscles.

It is a good idea to gently stretch once your incisions are fully healed. Stretching keeps your muscles healthy, repair damage and help with the stiffness. Always get a confirmation from Dr Turner before you start stretching. A basic five-minute stretch will do the job. You can gradually build it up and start doing more advanced stretching routines.

Contact your surgeon’s team before starting any workout routine. Adhere to all the post-surgery instructions given. While working out, if you notice shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, stop and take a break. If the condition persists, call Dr Turner’s office right away.

Don’ts

If you used to jog every day before getting breast reduction surgery, you might want to restart your routine as soon as possible. However, jogging can put a lot of stress on your chest muscles, stitches, incisions, and create complications for you. It is best to wait for six weeks before you can start jogging.

Weight lifting is a great way to build muscle and achieve a toned look. However, Dr Turner advises against lifting anything heavier than 2-3kg for at least a month after recovery. It is important to wait for at least six weeks. When you do decide to lift weights, start small and then build up your weight to avoid putting too much pressure on your body.