Preparing for a Successful Breast Lift Recovery
Like most surgeries, the best way to ensure a smooth breast lift recovery is with good preparation and after-care. In order to make yours as efficient and comfortable as possible, Drs. Richard Bendor-Samuel and Louis Boileau provide thorough preparation before and after surgery at the Landings Surgical Centre in Halifax, NS. By laying the foundations for a successful recovery early, we aim to maximize every patient's results.
Preparation for Your Surgery
Proper preparation is the most important step in ensuring a successful breast recovery. Before patients are approved for surgery, they must meet with Dr. Bendor-Samuel or Dr. Boileau for a consultation to discuss their medical history and goals for the procedure. During this meeting, they will examine your breasts and may in some cases ask for a mammogram to establish a baseline of health before surgery.
With thorough preparation and after-care, we can lay the foundations for a successful breast lift and recovery.
If a breast lift seems appropriate for your goals, our team will go over a number of medical recommendations to help you prepare for surgery and recovery. Because smoking and alcohol consumption can interfere with the healing process, our doctors typically advise patients to avoid both activities in the weeks before their appointment. Similarly, certain vitamins, supplements, and anti-inflammatories can trigger post-operative complications that can undermine your results and health.
After Your Surgery
Surgery typically takes between one and a half to three and a half hours, although combining the procedure with an augmentation or reduction may take longer. Because breast lifts are usually an outpatient procedure, you can usually return home within a few hours of your surgery. However, because lifting your arms can cause complications, you will need to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home and help out around the house.
Patients should plan on taking at least a week off from work so that they can rest and avoid bending or heavy lifting. If you have drainage tubes placed around the incisions, you will need to clean them out once a day. After two to three days, your doctor will remove the tubes during your first follow-up appointment. If the doctor does not use dissolvable stitches, he will remove stitches in stages, starting about three weeks after surgery. When you return to work, you should avoid strenuous activities for several more weeks. Final follow-up visits are usually six to ten weeks after surgery.
Patients should expect some soreness, bruising, and swelling throughout recovery. While most of these symptoms will fade within a week or two of your procedure, it can take months for swelling to completely disappear. Wearing a compression garment can help to minimize this effect, but patients should avoid wearing underwire bras.
Scarring and Possible Complications
Although scars are unavoidable after surgery, Drs. Bendor-Samuel and Boileau can minimize their appearance by discreetly placing incisions where they are easy to conceal. Applying recommended ointments and gently massaging the breasts can improve blood flow and support the healing process. While scars are often most noticeable during the first few months after surgery, they usually fade within the first year with diligent care.
Of more concern are potential complications such as infection or bleeding. While these are rare, patients should keep a close eye on any changes around the incisions site. If you notice increased swelling or redness, you may have an infection and should contact us immediately.
Lay the Foundations for a Successful Recovery
With thorough preparation and after-care, we can lay the foundations for a successful breast lift and recovery. If you are interested in learning more about what to expect during recovery from a breast lift, call our office at (866) 928-0023 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.