Do concerns about post-breast lift recovery make you weary of going through with the procedure? When you learn about the recovery stage of a breast lift before you discuss plans with your doctor, you can better prepare yourself for the part that comes afterward. Your body needs time to rest and recover after this surgery, and your breasts need proper support so they heal properly. Learn everything you need to know about breast lift recovery before you step into the plastic surgeon’s office.
Pain During Breast Lift Recovery
Your doctors do everything in their power to minimize the incisions used in the breast lift procedure, but they are still creating deep cuts in your tissues. Pain is an expected part of breast lift recovery, particularly in the first few days after the surgery.
Specialized Bras
The exact pain level depends on your personal tolerance, the amount of swelling encountered during the healing process and the way your body reacts to incisions. Make sure you have a compression bra, that can accommodate breast swelling, ready for you in breast lift recovery. This type of bra cuts down on the swelling and helps you experience less pain.
You will go home with a surgical bra to start you off, but your surgeon may allow you to switch into an option that is more comfortable or easy to wear during the recovery. However, make sure you stay away from anything with underwires. Sports bras are your friends, especially if they clasp in the front so you do not have to twist and strain to get the bra on.
Compresses
Cold compresses offer another way to manage your swollen breasts and improve your comfort. Be careful so you do not impair your recovery or hurt your skin. Use an ice pack that already has a cover, or wrap it up in a towel or shirt to protect your skin. Keep it in place up to 20 minutes at a time to cut down the swelling, but give yourself a good 30 or 40 minute break before you reapply it.
Angled Rest
This method works best when you have a recliner available, but a couch or bed with the right amount of pillows can be a good alternative. You need to avoid sleeping on your back during the initial breast lift recovery period and sleep instead in an angled position; the best angles range from 25 to 45 degrees, since sitting up helps you get the blood flow your breasts need for a good recovery.
If your pain levels exceed what you can tolerate with the help of over-the-counter medication, talk to your surgeon about prescription medication.
Scars
You may be concerned about the appearance of the scars you see during breast lift recovery, especially because your incisions will look the most pronounced during the healing process. If you have old scars on your body, use their appearance as a guide to what your breast lift scars could look like once healed.
Site Cleanliness
Proper care during breast lift recovery puts you in the best possible position to keep scars as small and unnoticeable as possible. Infection in the incisions or surrounding tissue can increase the area that ends up scarring. Make sure you know the early signs of infection: If your incision sites are hot to the touch, grow redder or have pus drainage, your doctor must inspect the site immediately.
Prevent infections by keeping the incision sites clean and protected; daily showers help you maintain a healthy healing environment for your skin. You also need to limit your exposure to UV light while the scar goes through the fading process. Tanning booths are unacceptable, and sunning on the beach may not be possible until the next swim season. Apply plenty of sunscreen once you are cleared to put on a bikini and your incisions are completely healed. For some people, scars take years to fade completely.
Lifestyle Choices
Everyone’s bodies heal at their own pace, but some lifestyle choices decrease this natural healing speed. Smoking can make it take longer for the incision to close completely. Quitting cold turkey can be difficult, but if you are able to stop immediately before and after your procedure, you can improve your breast lift recovery process.
If you end up unhappy with the way the breast lift scar looks, your doctor can work with you on a scar reduction plan. You may use over-the-counter products or look for a laser treatment to lighten or break down some of the scar tissue.
Exercises
Love going to the gym, running around the dog park with your pet or signing up for marathons? Unfortunately, you need to put your plans on hold during the breast lift recovery. High-intensity activity contributes to swelling, puts tension on your breasts and can lead to other complications.
Talk to your plastic surgeon so you can work together on a plan that helps you get back to your normal activity as quickly as possible, without compromising on your breast lift recovery. In most cases, you are only off your normal routine for a month.
When you have a realistic idea of the breast lift recovery process, you are in a better position to decide if this surgery is right for you. The proper preparation and the ability to rest during the healing period is important for a successful breast lift outcome.
