If you’d like firmer, higher breasts, you’ve likely thought about a breast lift. Unfortunately, you can’t get that result through exercise. Breast lifts are a modern and innovative solution for sagging breasts, but who wants to trade breast lift scars for a new look?
Of course, some scarring is inevitable—but would it be permanent? Would scars from a breast lift be visible? What about the pain?
Would you have to temporarily give up your lifestyle in order to get breast lift surgery? Nearly 100,000 breast lifts were done in the US last year, with an extremely high satisfaction rate–but how would your breast lift come out?
These concerns are all completely natural when considering a breast lift. You’ve come to the right place for answers about breast lift scars. As board-certified plastic surgeons in Bergen County, Dr. Cohen and Dr. Winters discuss the procedure with women of all ages every day.
Women who wonder about breast lift issues, conduct research and consult with experts—like you’re doing now–are those who typically have the best surgical outcomes. Being an informed consumer, especially when your health is involved, is the smart way to prepare for a breast lift—or to find out whether it is actually the right solution for you.
We have years of professional experience in northern NJ to draw from, which is why we’d like to share our breast lift patients post-procedure scarring, their healing process and what makes for a successful breast lift outcome.
Avoiding Scars from Breast Lifts: Is It Possible?
It’s not completely possible, but there’s a lot that experienced surgeons and you, as a patient, can do to limit any scarring. Depending on the specific technique that’s right for your body type and goals, you will typically have at least 2 incisions leaving scars.
As you know, any time surgeons treat and/or make changes to a patient’s body, there will be scars immediately afterward. These scars will heal, fade and may be visible, generally only when your breasts are completely exposed. To minimize scarring from a breast lift, follow these tips:
- Research and choose an experienced surgeon. Board certified and experienced surgeons will discuss your breast lift goals with you and determine if you are a good candidate.
- Be informed. Genetics and race have an effect on the extent of scarring. Discuss your family medical history with your surgeon. Some individuals may have a tendency to develop keloids and raised scarring, but treatment, such as laser therapy or cortisone shots may be available.
- Be assured. Top surgeons use their skills to develop the best and least invasive technique to complete your breast lift for an attractive result.
- Be confident. These surgeons also utilize advanced medical instrumentation and monitoring to ensure that scars are as small as humanly possible. Highly skilled medical staff are on hand to assist the surgeons, provide anesthesia, prepare you for surgery and help you recover.
- Follow instructions to prepare for surgery day. In advance of any surgery, your surgeons and medical team will give you instructions on how to prepare to help ensure the very best breast lift outcome. Instructions may include the following, but will be customized to your health needs:
- Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water.
- Do not smoke—or stop well in advance.
- Avoid Advil, Motrin, and Aspirin for 2 weeks prior to surgery, since they thin the blood.
- Discuss any vitamins, minerals, supplements and prescription medications with your surgeon before breast lift surgery. Adjustments may be necessary.
- Have a baseline mammogram before (and another after) surgery to track any future changes in your breast tissue.
Make sure you understand the specific instructions that you receive and follow them to the letter. This will allow you to be ready for successful surgery and the quickest recovery possible. If you have questions or concerns about instructions leading up to your surgery date, call your surgeon to clarify or get more information.
Minimizing Breast Lift Scars After Surgery
After surgery, follow your medical team’s breast lift recovery instructions–for the quickest recovery with minimal scarring. You will be coming in to see your surgeon for frequent follow-up visits to ensure that you’re healing well.
Most importantly, remember to call the office anytime you have questions about your post-surgery instructions or any concerns as you are healing– even if you just left the office 10 minutes ago. Tips to minimize scarring and speed healing after breast lift surgery include:
- Don’t smoke.
- Drink plenty of water, which helps to counter swelling. (Dehydration can cause you to retain water.)
- Follow your surgeon’s instructions about salt intake.
- Don’t drink alcohol for the first 48 hours after surgery.
- Follow surgeon’s instructions about bandages, dressings and bathing.
- Rest quietly for the first 2 days (48 hours) after breast lift surgery and ask a trusted person to stay with you for the first day (24 hours.)
- Refrain from strenuous exercise for 1-2 weeks following your breast lift.
- Sleep propped on pillows at about a 30-degree angle for 2 to 3 weeks.
- Take from 3 to 7 days off before returning to an office job. If you have a more physically demanding job, you will need to wait longer before returning.
- Avoid physical activities that might pull or strain your incisions, like bending over, lifting objects or lifting your arms above your head.
- Avoid exposing breast lift scars to the sun.
- Call your surgeon immediately if you suspect infection. This is rare after breast lift surgery but watch for pus or discharge, worsening pain, fever and excess swelling. Call immediately to prevent complications.
Where are Breast Lift Scars Commonly Located?
Scars are generally located just below the breast and somewhat hidden by the breast itself when sitting or standing. You may also have a scar around the areola, which is less visible due to the darker pigment there. Lastly, there may be a thin connecting scar from below the breast to the areola.
How Long Does it Take for Breast Lift Scars to Heal?
Breast lift scars often remain red and lumpy for months, gradually becoming less obvious and sometimes fading out to thin white lines. At close range, you will likely be able to see your scars–because you know exactly where to look. Happily, scars should be completely invisible when clothed, even in a bikini.
Breast Lifts Have an Excellent Success Rate, Provided You’re a Good Candidate
If you and your surgeon decide that surgery is right for you, you’ll join a group of millions of people who have had breast lift surgery and who feel and look great. Your careful preparation, including your research about breast lift scars, will enhance your treatment experience.
After breast lift surgery patients typically report feeling refreshed, upbeat and rejuvenated. The vast majority are extremely happy with their new silhouette and find that healed scars are barely visible in the (now smaller) crease below their breasts. Remember, breast lifts have one of the best success rates of all plastic surgery procedures.
How Would Your Breast Lift Turn Out?
At Cohen/Winters, our calling is to protect your health, enhance your body and ensure that breast lift surgery is the right solution for you. We will only perform a breast lift procedure when we (and you) are certain that you’re a good candidate. This is why our success rate is high and breast lift scars are minimal. We’re here to provide information, answer your questions and if it’s right for you, to perform your breast lift to achieve your desired outcome.
For us, it’s crucial that you are happy with your well-informed decision, whether it is to have a breast lift–or not. We’re surgeons and we enjoy that part of our job, but we also enjoy consulting with patients and discussing your goals. If you’d like more information about breast lifts, please stop by our Bergen County office to see us.
