What to Expect After a Breast Lift Procedure (With or Without Implants)

What to Expect After a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery

What can a person expect after a breast lift, also called a mastopexy, procedure? Let's talk about it! 

Sometimes a breast lift is done on its own, but can also be in combination with a breast augmentation where breast implants are placed. Often, a breast lift is part of a mommy makeover surgery or part of body contouring after weight loss. So what can you expect after a breast lift?

Your first appointment after surgery will be between 5-10 days.

Mild to moderate pain where pain medication can be used the first 2-3 days. Mild pain for 2-3 weeks is reported by some patients. 

It is normal to experience an altered sensation of your breasts. Bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness, tightness, burning can all occur after surgery.  These issues will improve as healing progresses. Usually, the skin around the incisions remains partially or completely numb for several months or longer. The body takes time to heal the nerve endings. Tingling, burning, or shooting pains indicate regeneration of small sensory nerves. This feeling will disappear with time and is not cause for alarm. 

During this initial healing time, we want you to progressively do the activities of daily living as much as you can. DO NOT, HOWEVER, MAKE SPECIAL ATTEMPTS TO STRETCH OR EXERCISE THE HEALING AREAS.

Sleep with your head slightly elevated while ONLY laying on your back for 3-4 weeks. Some patients choose to sleep in a recliner for the first several nights. A wedge pillow system is perfect for this procedure aftercare.

No overheating for the first 4 weeks (spas, exercising in the sun, etc).

No lifting greater than 5-10 pounds for the first 3 weeks. Anything heavier than a gallon of milk is too heavy.

Low-impact cardio can be resumed after 3 weeks. 

Strenuous exercise should be avoided until 6 weeks post-op. Once you begin working those muscles again, start gradually to avoid any injuries. Let your body tell you what it can tolerate.

Sexual activity can be resumed whenever comfortable. Just be sure that no weight or direct pressure is placed on the  breasts. Due to the discomfort of this procedure, many patients do not resume sexual activity for several weeks after the procedure. This is entirely up to the individual patient.

You may resume “normal activities”, such as shopping and light chores, as tolerated. In most patients, this happens somewhere between the first 2-4 days. An office job can commonly be resumed 2-4 days after surgery. Jobs which require heavy lifting (such as a hospital nurse) will commonly require 4-6 weeks. 

If you are interested in a breast lift procedure, whether on its own or in combination with other procedures, call the office for a consultation of your own in our Plano, TX or Anna, TX office.