How Long Does Recovery Last for a Breast Lift?

Full recovery following a breast lift is usually between 4 and 6 weeks for healing but returning to exercise can be as early as three weeks. 

Thank you for the question. Maximum discomfort will occur in the first few days after surgery and will subside the following weeks. Six weeks after surgery, your incisions will heal over and it would be safe to slowly resume regular activity. Breasts could be sore, tight, swollen and bruised for several months. It will take approximately three months for your breasts to settle. Hope this has helped.

It’s not unusual for patients
who undergo breast lift surgery to be concerned about scarring. When a Wise pattern breast lift is performed,
the keyhole pattern is used above the level of the nipple areola complex.The nipple areola is then moved in an upward
direction into the keyhole and the excess skin is removed below this
point.This typically leaves the patient
with a circular scar around the areola, a vertical incision that runs from the
areola to the transverse incision, which is hidden beneath the fold of the
breast.It’s important to remember that recovery varies from
patient to patient.We generally recommend
taking a week off from school or work following this procedure, but many
patients are able to return sooner.Strenuous activity such as athletics should be avoided for four to six
weeks following surgery.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
wound healing takes at least a year.

You'll probably need to take 2 weeks off of work if it's a desk job (or longer if it's more physically demanding). You'll need to take it easy for 1 week, and you can start exercising at 3 weeks.

We generally recommend that you take a week off work and avoid strenuous physical activity for three weeks. Drains may be necessary. Certain dressings may be required during this time. You will be instructed in breast implant exercises.

The usual recovery for a breast lift (mastopexy) procedure is as follows:


The procedure is done as an outpatient and usually takes less than 2 hours.

Time off work: 3-7 days.

Driving: As soon as you are off pain medication (usually Vicodin), you can start driving.

Exercise: None for 3-4 weeks. This includes heavy lifting (greater than 15 pounds) and sexual intercourse.


I took a look at her photos, but it is impossible to tell what your breasts look like at this time because you were clothed. He may be a candidate for a vertical (lollipop incision) or Wyse pattern (inverted T.) but it is nearly impossible to tell by her photos. It all depends on the relative amount of sagging that you have. Also, some consideration should be given to using implant to give you more fullness and symmetry between the 2 breasts. Any qualified, experienced, board certified, plastic surgeon should be able to help you out. Good luck.

A breast lift is a procedure whereby the envelope of
skin containing the breast is reduced.The intention of this operation is to tighten the breast and often lift
the nipple and areola to a more ideal location.A Wise pattern breast lift normally leaves a scar around the areola and
from the areola down to the fold of the breast and often in the fold of the
breast itself.Less extensive breast
lifts leave only an incision around the areola or possibly around the areola
and straight down to the fold of the breast.When properly performed, the scarring is normally very acceptable.There is however, variability in the amount
of scarring from patient to patient. Normally, after a breast lift you will be able to
resume most day to day activities such as driving your car within three to five
days.You should refrain from heavy
lifting and strenuous activity for four weeks.

Recovery from breast lift surgery generally takes 5 to 7 days ( for time off work)  and avoidance of strenuous activity/exercise for 3 to 4 weeks. Patients are generally able to drive approximately one week after surgery.

Best wishes.

 

Most of my patients are off pain medicines such as vicodin by two days.  It takes about 2 hours as an outpatient in a healthy person; you go home and drink fluids and relax and then I ask my patients to walk at least 1/2 an hour a day starting the day after surgery.  I also ask my patients not to lift more than 10 pounds, or perform chest exercises for 6 weeks.  That is how long it takes for the scar tissue to reach maximum strength.  

Depending upon the type of work you do, you can do the surgery on Thursday and be back to work by Monday, with the above restrictions.  Obviously if your work involves heavy lifting or pushing, you will have to arrange more time off and no lifting for when you return.

Plan ahead and take care of yourself so as to reap the maximum benefit from your surgery.  Good luck!

After breast lift surgery, it is usually possible to drive in a couple of days and then return to work within a week or so, depending on your job. In many cases, breast lift patients resume most of their normal activities, including some form of mild exercise, after several weeks.  Try to avoid heavy lifting for at least a month.