Afraid of Splitting Incisions After Breast Lift

How much time needs to pass to be sure I wont split my incisions after my Breast Lift? I have an anchor-shaped incision. At 8 days post op, the doctor removed the steri strips because I had an allergic reaction and just reinforced it with dermibond. I have seen some terrible pictures on the Internet and am worried about returning to normal activities (like picking up a 25 lbs 2-year-old).

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13 Doctor Answers | Asked by momof2lilones in austin, tx

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How Long do Incision Lines Need?

I recommend waiting 6 weeks before testing the strength of your incision lines. In the meantime: don't lift more than ~25 pounds no high impact activities like jumping or jogging no big arm swinging activities like tennis or golf

Healing after a breast lift

The skin technically is sealed (but not fully healed, of course) after 24-48 hours. Scar maturation is what gives the wound its eventual strength, though. It takes about 6 months for a wound to have its maximum strength, which is roughly 70% of its preoperative strength. But you don't have to wait 6 months to do your normal activities. Generally, my mastopexy patients return to light exercise after a couple of weeks and strenuous exercise after about 6 weeks... more

The answer is always 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months.

After any surgery there is an increased risk of bleeding in the first 2 weeks. During this period you should avoid doing anything that raises your pulse or blood pressure. You should avoid lifting or straining. After two weeks you can resume exercise but you should avoid any trauma to the breast for at least 6-8 weeks. During this period you should wear a support bra for the first 6-8 weeks. After that you can resume normal activity but often it takes up to 6 months for every thing to... more

You are still healing

The wound is entering the weakest phase of healing presently. Lifting a baby shouldn't affect the sutures. Bouncing, etc. will put stress on things, and may cause a problem. I would check with your doctor for sure on this, as we wouldn't want to go against his instructions. sek

Splitting Incisions After Breast Lift

To be on the safe side, try avoiding arm movement above your shoulder for 6 weeks. This should be an adequate duration of time to heal.

Removing sutures with mastopexy

Rely on your surgeon's instincts about the scars. I think you should be fine at this point. Sutures should be removed relatively early to avoid secondary complications.

Incision Separation After Anchor Breast Lift

Regarding: "Afraid of Splitting Incisions After Breast Lift How much time needs to pass to be sure I wont split my incisions after my Breast Lift? I have an anchor-shaped incision. At 8 days post op, the doctor removed the steri strips because I had an allergic reaction and just reinforced it with dermibond. I have seen some terrible pictures on the Internet and am worried about returning to normal activities (like picking up a 25 lbs 2-year-old)." Separation of the... more

Wound healing after breast lift

After a breast lift surgery, the patient should expect to have swelling and a small amount of bruising. It is not normal for the wounds to open up. This however is a known complication. Depending on the location of the wounds, your surgeon may recommend dressing changes or may recommend a small procedure where dry or dead tissue is removed and the wound is closed again. If you're incision should open up, see your plastic surgeon immediately. Especially, if you received a... more

Activity after breast surgery

My post-op regimen for patients after breast surgery usually entails not aerobic type acitivities for 2-3 weeks and then no heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Follow your doctor's instructions but I'd let you exercise at 2 weeks

I ask my patients to refrain from exercise related activities for 2-3 weeks after mastopexy surgery. I do a substantial number of these preocedures and have not seen any problems with wound healing with this plan. Good luck.