Breast lift surgery and recovery

• An incision is made to outline the area from which breast skin will be removed.
• A new location for the nipple will be defined.
• Excess skin is removed.
• The nipple and areola are moved to a higher position.
• Skin surrounding the areola is brought down and together to reshape the breast.
• Stitches are added around the areola in a vertical line down toward the nipple area and along the lower crease of the breast.

You may be a candidate for a procedure with less extensive incisions. If you are having implants along with a breast lift, the implants will be placed under the breast tissue or under the muscle of the chest wall.

Following surgery you will wear an elastic bandage or surgical bra over a gauze dressing. For one day to two days, your breasts will be swollen, bruised and uncomfortable. Pain can be controlled by medications prescribed by your surgeon.

After a few days, your bandages or surgical bra will be replaced by a soft support bra.

Swelling may cause some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin. Numbness will fade as swelling goes down within six weeks. Numbness may last a year or more, or become permanent for some patients.

Healing takes time. Do not return to work until you feel well enough. Avoid lifting anything over your head for three weeks to four weeks. Call your surgeon if you experience any unusual symptoms.

Your surgeon will give you instructions on resuming normal activities. A breast lift should not affect your ability to breastfeed, since milk ducts and nipples are left intact.

Your breast lift scars are extensive and permanent. They may remain lumpy and red for months, then become less obvious. Sometimes scars fade to thin white lines. Your surgeon will make sure your scars are as invisible as possible. Remember that with gravity and aging, your breast lift will not last forever. Make sure you have realistic expectations as you make a decision about a breast lift.