A mastopexy, or breast lift surgery, is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. The breast lift procedure normally takes one to three hours. The patient is discharged home after one or two hours in the recovery room. Patients are advised to relax, but bed rest is not required.
We actually prefer that you move around a little. You are free to eat whatever you want immediately following surgery. Shower either that day or the next. There is little need for wound care.
Strips of paper tape cover the incisions. The lower half of the breast is covered by a large thin plastic dressing. Everything will be removed about 10 days after surgery. Typically, only one or a few sutures need to be removed. The remainder are buried beneath the skin and will dissolve over time.
Drains are usually unnecessary. For four weeks, a minimally invasive bra is worn continuously. Patients are usually absent from work for five to seven days. After three weeks postoperatively, there are no restrictions. The breasts usually take 6 to 12 weeks to reach their final shape.
We have a special protocol for breast scars because one of the major concerns with mastopexy is scar quality. We will remove the paper tape that was placed on the incisions there in operating room whenever you are seen 10 to 14 days after surgery.
The scars will then be treated with Tegaderm, a clear plastic dressing. You will be told to keep this on for as long as possible. We would like you to use the Tegaderm for three months in total. Typically, it will need to be changed every three or four weeks.
Tegaderm applied to the scar beneath the breast fold may need to be changed more frequently than Tegaderm applied around the nipple. We discovered that using Tegaderm for three months after procedure improves scar quality significantly.
Pain after breast lift procedure is usually mild. Non-narcotic analgesics are frequently sufficient. This allows for a quicker recovery and diminishes the side effects associated with narcotics like Demerol and codeine.
Outcome
The breast skin will be tight immediately following surgery. The top of the breast will be full and possibly rounded. The breast’s bottom portion will be flattened. This shape is only temporary; over time, the top portion will demolish and the bottom portion will fill out.
As it does so, it will achieve a more desirable shape. Unfortunately, the skin and breast may continue to stretch and sag beyond the desired endpoint. It will not, however, return to the shape or position it was in prior to surgery.
Tightening the breast skin compresses the tissue, causing it to shrink. It thickens or becomes firmer. This firmness is caused by external compression by the skin rather than an increase in internal team cohesion by the breast tissue. Because the skin is already weak, the initial tightness is only temporary.
If an implant is used, the tightness of the breast will be determined by how much of the final breast is made up of natural tissue and how much is made up of the implant.
If you smoke, it is critical that you maintain the cigarette fast that you began a few weeks before surgery. Ways of reducing blood flow to the skin, slowing and complicating healing. Avoid smoking for at least the first two weeks of recovery.
This is not the time to journey to distant lands to see long lost relatives. Stay close to our offices by at least the first few days in case you develop a problem that requires attention immediately.
What are the Do’s and Don’ts After a Breast Lift?
It’s essential to adhere to the recommended aftercare guidelines after having a breast lift procedure in order to enhance recovery and get the best results. The following are some crucial dos and don’ts to remember after surgery:
Do’s:
- Observe your surgeon’s instructions to the letter: It’s crucial to properly follow your surgeon’s post-operative recommendations. This involves taking prescription drugs as directed, donning bras, and going to follow-up appointments.
- Take proper care of the incision sites: Take good care of the incision sites by keeping them dry and clean as directed by your surgeon. To reduce the risk of infection and accelerate healing, adhere to the recommended wound care regimen.
- Rest well: Give your body enough time to heal by obtaining enough sleep and rest. Avoid strenuous activities that can tax your chest muscles and slow down your recovery.
- Wear a supportive bra: Choose a bra that is supportive and made with post-breast lift healing in mind. This will contribute to the support and aid in preserving the new breast shape.
Don’ts:
- Avoid heavy lifting: Avoid activities that create stress on your chest muscles, such as lifting large objects. This can impact the outcome and jeopardize the healing of the wounds.
- Avoid smoking and using nicotine-containing products since they can slow recovery and raise the possibility of problems. During the healing process, it’s imperative to avoid utilizing nicotine products or smoking.
- Avoid overexposure to the sun and protect the areas where you had surgery from direct sunlight. The damaging rays from the sun might alter pigmentation and postpone the healing process.
I graduated from Ankara University Medical School in 2005. The same year, i began to attend to six-year Plastic Surgery specialty training in İzmir at Ege University Medical School, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. In 2011, I completed my specialty training. After that, i worked as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon for many hospitals such as Kars Government Hospital (2011-2013), Kocaeli Darıca Farabi Government Hospital (2014). I’ve done a lot of surgeries, which helped to improve myself. Afterwards in accordance with my personal characteristics and willing to finding a wider workspace, i began to work in Special Hospitals (Ankara Kudret International Special Hospital and Ankara Keçiören Special Hospital (2014-2015). Between 2015-2018 I worked as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon in Bodrum Acıbadem Special Hospital, which is biggest hospital group of Turkey. While working in Bodrum Acıbadem Special Hospital I had the opportunity operated both national and international patients. Dr. Candan Mezili is now working in private practice in his own office.
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