Recovering From Breast Lift Surgery Takes Time
After you've met with your doctor, gone through all the initial testing, and have arrived promptly for your surgery appointment, it's time for your surgeon to take control.
But that's not the end of your responsibility - recovering from surgery can be demanding simply because you need to take it easy and let yourself heal.
Breast lift surgery takes from one to three hours to complete.
But don't make a lunch date for right after surgery.
You'll be in recovery for at least an hour, more if your body processes the anesthesia more slowly.
Medication used during the surgery will stay in your body for another day or two, depending on what's used.
Because the anesthesia takes so long to wear off, you'll need someone to drive you home.
Your breasts will be covered with a sterile dressing and will be uncomfortable for several days.
You can expect to be on pain medication and possibly antibiotics for about a week.
Your doctor knows exactly what you need to do during the recovery period and will send home a list of instructions for you to follow.
Follow them! The surgical bra you wear home from the hospital will need to remain in place for a few days, until your doctor tells you it's not needed any more.
If you had drainage tubes inserted to remove any accumulated fluids, you'll need to empty them regularly.
Also, no showers or baths, wash using only a sponge bath until the danger of infection passes.
Even though you might feel great, you need to refrain from doing anything strenuous.
The incision sites will be tender, so you'll want to sleep on your back.
Anything that causes stress on the area should be avoided while your body mends so there's no pulling on the sutures.
Any stress on the sutures, besides being uncomfortable, could result in unnecessary scarring.
The swelling and bruising from surgery will last about a week or two and your doctor will tell you not to even think about underwire bras for a while.
You won't want to wear them - think about the additional pressure put on the surgery area from the wires.
Ouch! The sutures used will vary, depending on the doctor.
Typically internal sutures will dissolve, but those on the surface will likely need to be removed in about ten days.
Your doctor will let you know.
Depending on your job and your rate of healing, you'll need to take off about two weeks from work.
If you have a strenuous job, it will be longer than that for your body to recover some of its strength.
You'll love your follow-up visits with your doctor! Drainage tubes and sutures are removed, you switch to a sports bra from a surgical bra, and your doctor confirms that you are well on the way to complete recovery and will be able to return to work soon.
Welcome to the new you! Please remember this article is just for informational purposes.
Any medical advice can only be given by a licensed physician.
But that's not the end of your responsibility - recovering from surgery can be demanding simply because you need to take it easy and let yourself heal.
Breast lift surgery takes from one to three hours to complete.
But don't make a lunch date for right after surgery.
You'll be in recovery for at least an hour, more if your body processes the anesthesia more slowly.
Medication used during the surgery will stay in your body for another day or two, depending on what's used.
Because the anesthesia takes so long to wear off, you'll need someone to drive you home.
Your breasts will be covered with a sterile dressing and will be uncomfortable for several days.
You can expect to be on pain medication and possibly antibiotics for about a week.
Your doctor knows exactly what you need to do during the recovery period and will send home a list of instructions for you to follow.
Follow them! The surgical bra you wear home from the hospital will need to remain in place for a few days, until your doctor tells you it's not needed any more.
If you had drainage tubes inserted to remove any accumulated fluids, you'll need to empty them regularly.
Also, no showers or baths, wash using only a sponge bath until the danger of infection passes.
Even though you might feel great, you need to refrain from doing anything strenuous.
The incision sites will be tender, so you'll want to sleep on your back.
Anything that causes stress on the area should be avoided while your body mends so there's no pulling on the sutures.
Any stress on the sutures, besides being uncomfortable, could result in unnecessary scarring.
The swelling and bruising from surgery will last about a week or two and your doctor will tell you not to even think about underwire bras for a while.
You won't want to wear them - think about the additional pressure put on the surgery area from the wires.
Ouch! The sutures used will vary, depending on the doctor.
Typically internal sutures will dissolve, but those on the surface will likely need to be removed in about ten days.
Your doctor will let you know.
Depending on your job and your rate of healing, you'll need to take off about two weeks from work.
If you have a strenuous job, it will be longer than that for your body to recover some of its strength.
You'll love your follow-up visits with your doctor! Drainage tubes and sutures are removed, you switch to a sports bra from a surgical bra, and your doctor confirms that you are well on the way to complete recovery and will be able to return to work soon.
Welcome to the new you! Please remember this article is just for informational purposes.
Any medical advice can only be given by a licensed physician.