Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Recovery

What is a Breast Lift (Mastopexy)?

A Breast Lift, or Mastopexy, is performed to address breast ptosis (droop). A Breast Lift involves lifting the position of the nipple, tightening a hanging underboob, and often increasing the breast volume, especially in the upper part of the breasts.

Breasts may be droop because they initially developed that way or more often, they become that way with the passage of time. The skin and ligaments which maintain the usual shape of the breasts stretch and elongate. The resultant ptosis is made worse by the loss of natural breast tissue volume over time. This is a condition that affects women of all ages. There are several factors which influence the degree of ptosis that develops over time.

A consultation with Dr Dona will assist in the assessment and planning to ensure that a realistic expectation is established.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Recovery Tips

Typically, patients can leave the hospital on the same day as surgery. You will require a support person to pick you up from the hospital following your surgery. Depending on your recovery requirements, your support person will need to provide care and assistance, ideally for the first week.

Arrangements should be made so that you can rest without having to care for others. Therefore, those with young children will need to ensure enough support has been organised so this can happen.

It is normal to experience discomfort and pain following your surgery – this should start to settle after a couple of weeks.

Routine post-operative prophylactic antibiotics are provided, and pain relief is generally required for the first few days. Surgery and the associated pain medications can cause constipation. Therefore, you need to ensure you have plenty of fluid, fibre and laxatives to avoid this problem.

During the beginning of your recovery, you should get lots of rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat regular small healthy meals. For the first few weeks, it is recommended that you sleep on your back – this is mainly because any other position will be far too uncomfortable and put too much stress on your surgical site. Smoking (or any nicotine-based products) should also be avoided for the two weeks prior and for at least two weeks after surgery as it impairs wound healing.

You will be advised when you can return to normal activities and work. However, heavy upper body activities and sports should be avoided for at least four weeks after surgery.

Avoid any firm handling or pressure applied to your breasts for the first four weeks.

You will be provided with a post-operative surgical bra for support which you will need to wear for six weeks.  Following this, you can go out and be fitted for your new bras.
The surgical scar from the incision will be slightly red for a few months before it starts to fade. However, it does not fully mature for at least 12 months. We offer all our patients a post-op treatment plan to help optimise your recovery and wound healing.

Post-operative photographs will be taken as part of your ongoing evaluation. Periodic check-ups are required to observe the long-term results of the surgery.

BREAST LIFT (MASTOPEXY) RECOVERY TIMELINE

Immediately after surgery

As per any surgery, you will have pain and upper body discomfort and general stiffness – you can take your pain medications and antibiotics as needed and as prescribed.

Nausea is not uncommon after any general anaesthetic – your aneasthetic specialist will ensure any nausea you may have is being well managed and settles quickly.

You will notice breast upper pole swelling, which will typically get worse over the first few days.

This is often accompanied by lower pole (underboob) tightness. Depending on the breast lift surgery necessary, the underboob can appear quite flat and tight. This can take several months to settle.

Have a light meal the first day until you are sure any nausea has resolved.

To freshen up, you can have a quick shower to rinse off and freshen up the same day of surgery, however, leave your bandage on, and only take off your surgical bra when showering.

Make sure you have someone with you at least for the first 24 hours to look after you and help as needed and take it easy, you have had surgery.

One week after surgery

You should be mobilising/walking slowly whilst avoiding any heavy lifting, straining, or stretching – you can however, return to light office-based desk work one week following surgery. You can drive if you feel comfortable, with the provision that you are off all pain medication and feel confident in operating a vehicle.

Two-three weeks after surgery

At this stage, most patients are starting to feel very comfortable, and most of the swelling has settled. This is the stage when you need to be the most careful as most of the problems, short-term and long-term, occur at this stage. You need to constantly remind yourself that your surgical site is still fragile, and problems can arise if you start to return to doing normal activities sooner than advised. Patience is the key message at this stage. You should commence scar massaging to help soften and settle the scars, and the scar massaging may be required for several months.

Four to Six weeks after surgery

At this stage, most of your swelling has settled. Therefore, you can be formally fitted for new bras and clothing. Also, at this stage you are beyond the point where you could potentially compromise your results, therefore, you should be undertaking normal physical activities as guided by your comfort levels.

Six months after surgery

Initially, you will notice swelling and upper fullness to your breasts. In addition to this, the underboob can often appear tight and “flat”. The upper pole fullness will slowly settle and the underboob will slowly drop and round out. Most of the swelling has settled after six weeks, however the “final” results take 6 months. At this stage we will critically review your results. However, no surgery stops the ageing process. Therefore, after you have achieved your final surgical results, things will continue to change based on the normal process of ageing, gravity, weight fluctuations, childbirth, breastfeeding, hormonal factors, and genetics.

How long is the recovery for a Breast Lift?

Recovery after any surgery is highly variable. However, some basic guidelines need to be considered:

• Gentle walking from day one.
• No driving for one week.
• Return to light office work after one week.
• Light but longer walks can be taken after two weeks.
• Most of the pain has settled after two weeks.
• Normal lifting and physical activities can be considered after four weeks.
• Normal bras and clothing after six weeks.
• Normal sleeping patterns should be expected after six weeks.
• The results as far as shape is concerned have settled after six months.
• The scars have fully matured after 12-18 months.

How long after Breast Lift surgery can I start driving again?

You will be advised that you should not consider driving for the first week after surgery. Your decision to drive depends on how comfortable you are feeling and the ceasing of pain medication or any medication that may alter your ability to operate a vehicle.

When can I return to exercise after surgery?

• You should be mobile and walk around gently from day one post-op.
• You should not undertake any physical activities that increase your heart rate or blood pressure for the first four weeks as this can delay healing and potentially cause wound problems.
• You need to avoid any physical activities where you are straining and/or stretching your upper body muscles.
• You can commence brisk walking after two weeks.
• You can return to normal exercise after four weeks. However, you would typically start with very short and light training sessions and be guided by your body’s comfort levels.
• Consider the first four weeks after surgery as “recovery”, and beyond this time everything should be considered as “rehabilitation”. This is where you take it one week at a time and slowly wean yourself back to normal physical activity.

How long should I take off work after Breast Lift surgery?

You can return to light office-based work after one week. Heavy manual labour, or any employment that involves significant lifting or repetitive manual handling tasks should be avoided for the first four weeks.