Department of Surgery

Strong Health's Specialists in Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic Surgery

Recovery After Breast Lift Surgery

Immediately After Surgery

After the surgery, your breasts will be covered and protected by gauze bandages and either an elastic bandage or a surgical bra. The bandages and drainage tubes will be removed during the first week after surgery, but you’ll continue to wear a soft support bra for several weeks. Your breasts will be swollen and bruised for a few weeks after surgery. During the first few days you’ll probably have some pain, and for a week or more you may feel discomfort when you move around. Medicines will control this.

After A Few Weeks

Your stitches will be removed within one to two weeks. You should be able to return to non-physical work about a week or two after surgery, though it will be several weeks before you feel completely up to speed. You’ll need to limit your exercise and activities during this time. You’ll also want to avoid sex for a week or so because arousal can cause your breasts to hurt. You may find that your breasts and nipples are less sensitive, or have no feeling at all. Sensation usually returns after several weeks or months.

This surgery does leave permanent scars. But they will fade in time and are easily hidden by clothing.

A breast lift offsets the natural effects of age and gravity only temporarily. Eventually, those forces will again affect the way your breasts look and feel.

Healing Is Slow -- But Results Are Great

Many people feel depressed for a while after plastic surgery, especially in the early days when your breasts are swollen and bruised. This is normal and will pass. Healing is slow and gradual and sometimes the final results of the surgery aren’t apparent for many months or more. But remember why you chose to have the surgery. If you've met your goals, then your surgery is a success.