Breast Lift

Breast lift surgery, also called a mastopexy, removes and tightens excess tissue to raise sagging breasts. The procedure is often combined with breast augmentation procedures like breast implants or a breast fat transfer, to restore lost breast volume, or with a breast reduction.

Advantages of Breast Lift

• This is a good option for women whose breast skin and areolas have stretched, a common side effect of pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss.
• Downtime after breast lift surgery is typically just five days, and most patients need only over-the-counter pain medication.
• The complication rate with breast lifts is relatively low, compared with other major surgical procedures.
• The procedure can make asymmetrical breasts look more similar.

Who makes a good candidate for a breast lift?

Ideal candidates for this cosmetic surgery are healthy non-smokers at a stable weight with sagging, flat, or elongated breasts. Asymmetry, low nipples, and stretched skin are other qualifiers for a breast lift.

What can you expect during breast lift recovery?

It’s likely you’ll be able to head back to an office job after the first week. If your work requires lifting anything over 10 pounds, you may need to take up to a month off while you heal.

When you first head home from your surgery, your breasts will be wrapped in gauze bandages and supported by a surgical bra. You may also have small surgical drains to prevent fluid build-up.

Your surgeon will recommend wearing the surgical bra for four weeks before transitioning to a sports bra for the next month. This prevents stretching the incisions, helps minimize swelling, and supports the tissue as it heals.

Your breasts will be bruised and swollen for the first few weeks, with swelling peaking around day three, and they’ll probably feel heavy and tight.

Your surgeon will give you aftercare instructions for changing your bandages and cleaning your incisions to prevent infection. They will also let you know when your drains and any stitches can come out at a follow-up appointment.

Until then, sleep on your back or side, avoid lifting heavy objects, and follow your doctor’s recommendations for when you can go back to your regular routine.