Afraid of Splitting Incisions After Breast Lift

The recovery time following
breast lift varies from patient to patient and depends on a variety of factors.
I recommend minimal activity for about two weeks following this procedure.
After two weeks, patients can slowly resume most activities except those that
involve strenuous exertion. After six weeks, patients should be able to resume
all of their normal activites, including strenuous exertion and heavy lifting.

 

         This approach should
minimize the potential for wound separation following breast lift surgery.

Separation of the incision is not uncommon with breast lifts and reductions. The area is on tension, and that may effect wound healing. There may also be a spitting suture or some other issue.  Please continue to be seen by your board certified plastic surgeon, and tell him/her your concerns. Together, you will be able to come up with a plan.

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.  

I would generally take it easy and avoid heavy lifting for 3 weeks.
At this point in time your wounds should be closed and or developed sufficient wound strength to begin a slow and gradual return to progressive resistance exercises.
Discuss your concerns with your surgeon who is best equipped to provide you with advice and restrictions.

Every surgeon is different, and has his or her own protocols for returning to activity after a breast lift. In general, I have my patients wait at least 4-6 weeks before resuming normal activites. At 4 weeks they can slowly work back into there routine and by 6 weeks they are usually cleared to resume their activities without restriction, although I recommend wearing a bra with good support whenever working out, lifting weights, running, etc.
Speak with your surgeon and ask him what his recommendations would be for you, and follow them closely, even as you start to feel better over the next couple of weeks.
Good luck!
Dr. S

The spitting of sutures happens.  If you avoid vigorous activities where your clothing would rub against your incisions could help as a preventative method.  

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 anchor incision is not rare with an Anchor (inverted T) Breast Lift but is usually related to: tension or decreased blood supply (smokers (primary or second hand). If separation occurs it does so in the first 3 weeks or so after surgery. For  this reason surgeons recommend you wear support (bra) for a long time and not engage in any activity which may increase your blood pressure (and cause swelling of operated tissues) for a month.

The Dermabond will NOT take the place of stitches but will nicely reinforce the inside stitch closure. It is more efficient than steri-strips but much more expensive.

Dr. Peter Aldea

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. 

 

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 breast lift with implants. You will want to make sure that the underlying implant is not affected by this new opening in the skin.

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.