What's the Downtime for Breast Implant Removal and Lift?

Question

I am 54 and have had my Saline Breast Implants for 14 years. I want to remove them. I think I need a Breast Lift because I've gained weight. What's the down time with doing this?

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

This will take about 3-5 days off of work before returining to a desk job. About 3 weeks before resuminfg low impact exercise and 6 weeks before unrestricted activity and 6-9 months before the breastsassume their long term stable apppearance.

Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHS · Answer

The downtime for breast implant removal with a lift typically involves several stages of recovery. Most patients can return to a desk job after about 3-5 days, though those with physically demanding work may need a bit more time. Light activities can be resumed within 7-10 days, while low-impact exercise may begin after 3-4 weeks. Strenuous activities, including heavy lifting, should be avoided for at least 6 weeks. Additionally, patients are generally advised to wear a supportive bra for several weeks, followed by a sports bra for up to three months. Full healing and the settling of the breasts can take about 6 months, with recovery varying depending on individual health, the complexity of the procedure, and the surgeon's specific recommendations.
It is important to consult with an experienced plastic surgeon who can customize your surgical plan and determine the best technique for you based on your individual anatomy and goals.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

A breast implant #removal with #breast lift is an outpatient procedure under intravenous sedation and local or general anesthesia. You will go home in a bra or with only light dressings over the incision lines. Sutures are dissolvable but an ending knot, if present is removed within 1-2 weeks. Initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. Light activity may be started 7-10 days after surgery. If your work keeps you sedentary, you may return whenever you feel up to it. If your work is strenuous, wait until your work activity does not cause any superficial pain. Do not begin light aerobic exercise for 3 weeks and strenuous exercise for at least 6 weeks. Let your body tell you what it can tolerate. Since the breast pockets where the implants were formerly located are now empty and less affected as they were in during the original augmentation, pain within the breast pocket may further be decreased. Side effects of the procedure are possible and each patient differs as they recover. At any time during your post-op #healing you have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact your doctors to further inquire. Further instructions are provided prior your release. It is always recommend to call and see your surgeon to discuss your concerns on recovery.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

It’s not unusual for patients to
require breast lift surgery at the time of breast implant removal.  This combination not only addresses
problem implants, but also improves breast aesthetics as well.

It’s
important to remember that recovery varies from patient to patient.  We generally recommend taking one week
off from school and work following the procedure, but many patients are able to
return sooner.  Strenuous activity
should be avoided for at least 4 to 6 weeks following surgery.

Patients
are typically given narcotic pain relievers for four to five days following
surgery.  They are then usually
switched to double strength Tylenol. 
It’s important to have an adequate support system available in the
post-operative period.

Patients
are required to wear a specialized support bra for three weeks and a sports bra
for an additional three months. 
It’s important to remember that complete healing takes at least a year.

Boris M. Ackerman, MD · Answer

It surprises most patients that recovery after a breast lift is easier than after breast augmentation. Recovery time for simply removing an implant is quite quick, patients are able to drive a car and return to work in 1-2 days. If a breast lift is performed at the same time, the recovery time is still quite quick, may be 2-3 days for some mild activities. Of course returning to the gym should be postponed for 7-10 days.

Trevor M. Born, MD · Answer

Dear Tryingsohard
Recovery from surgery is quite variable from surgeon to surgeon and patient to patient.  With optimal nutrition and supplements as well as good pain control- we have our patients back to their normal activities in 24 to 48 hours.  Your energy level may not be completely normal for one week.
With Warm Regards,
Trevor M Born MD

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Though recovery times vary, most patients can return to a non physically based job after about a week.  Many report the discomfort associated with this procedure to be tolerable with pain medication.  Your surgeon will be able to provide more specific details based on your surgical plan.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. Breast implant removal recovery surgery is usually almost painless and associated with a faster return to activities compared to the breast augmentation procedure.  The procedure can be done under local or general anesthesia depending on the circumstances of the specific patient.What your breasts will look like after explantation  depends on several factors such as: the quality of skin elasticity (the better the elasticity the better the skin will bounce back),  the size of the implants used (the larger the implant the more trouble you may have with redundant skin), and the amount of breast tissue present at this time (which may have changed since the time of your breast augmentation). Life experience since your breast augmentation procedure, such as pregnancy or weight gain weight loss, will  potentially influence the factors discussed above. If you take these factors into consideration and apply them  to your specific circumstances you may get a good idea of what to expect after the implants are removed.Best wishes.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The recovery of a lfit varies but most people can go back to desk work within a week or so.  Exercise or heavy lifting will need to put off for several weeks more.

Bahram Ghaderi, MD · Answer

Recovery after surgery happens in phases with the initial phase being most important. That phase involves the first few days where you may not be able to do all your daily activities. Each patient is different and each surgery has different recovery timeline. For breast implant removal and lift the typically initial recovery phase before you return to daily activities and light duty work such as driving to work and doing desk work is about 3-5 days. Discuss your specific situation with your surgeon before having surgery.

What's the Downtime for Breast Implant Removal and Lift?

Answers (10)

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