Sagging breasts are an inevitable result of the ageing process, but even very young women can experience a degree of ptosis, whether due to weight fluctuations, pregnancy or breast feeding.
During a breast lift procedure, Mr Alex Karidis will lift the breasts to a higher position on the chest wall, remove any excess skin and reshape or reposition the nipples on the breast, creating a more youthful appearance and greatly improve body confidence. However, this degree of tissue manipulation and the more extensive incisions required means it’s essential to know what to expect post-surgery.
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Our breast lift recovery timeline
Every patient responds differently to surgery, and it also depends on the extent of the procedure and whether it was combined with an augmentation or liposuction, but below is a general timeline for best breast lift recovery.
The first 24 hours: most patients stay in hospital overnight after a breast lift. Your breasts will very firm and taut, particularly along the incision site, and there will be some soreness.
The first week: any discomfort will dissipate over the first four to five days and should be easily controlled with painkillers.
The first month: you will be advised to wear specially designed compression garments which will help support the breasts in their new position on the chest wall. This puts less tension on the incisions and will also help speed up healing. Do not wear bras with underwire as the wire, even when protected by material, can irritate the incisions.
Bruising usually lasts for about two weeks after surgery but swelling can take a few months to dissipate. Your breasts may look too high immediately after surgery, but they will subtly drop after a few weeks to a more natural position.
Full recovery: patients should expect some change in sensation to the nipples and the surrounding breast skin because of trauma to the nerves caused by repositioning of the tissue. This usually recovers after a few months, but some women may experience permanent numbness. Scars can from 12 to 18 months to fully fade.
Breast lift recovery FAQs
Here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about the breast uplift recovery:
- Don’t sleep on your stomach or sides for the first month after surgery as it may put pressure on your breasts as they are healing.
- Don’t smoke after any cosmetic surgery procedure, as nicotine affects your blood supply to the healing area.
- Don’t drink alcohol excessively after surgery as it can dehydrate you.
- Don’t lift anything heavy so arrange childcare if you have young children.
While you may feel mild to moderate pain after a breast lift procedure, usually along the line of the incisions, most patients find it much less painful than they were expecting. Any discomfort is usually easily controlled by post-operative pain medication which we can advise you on.
We have recently relaunched the Karidis Clinic App, which supports you throughout your patient journey. A successful cosmetic surgery procedure goes beyond the operating room and the app provide invaluable advice on how to optimise your recovery process as well as sending you alerts for all your post-op check-ups.
At Karidis Clinic, all breast lift procedures are carried out by one of the best known breast surgeons in London, Mr Alex Karidis. For UK-leading aftercare, get in touch today.
