the recovery
After surgery our recovery specialists will given post-op instructions. It is important to follow carefully. You will be provided with a script for medication, which you will need to purchase after surgery and instructions on when to take the medication over the days ahead. You will be discharged from hospital when your companion picks you up from the hospital. All patients must have a companion to stay with them for 72hours following surgery.
The first week after surgery you should stick to gentle day-to-day activities. This includes minimal house duties, no lifting, staying home as much as possible and sleeping in an elevated position. Commence postoperative exercise (instructions given post surgery).
In the second week of recovery try not to raise your blood pressure too much and still sleep in an upright position. Patients will also be required to attend a postoperative appointment at our office in week 2. this will be scheduled prior to surgery.
In week 2 patients may:
Commence a light walk
Return to work in week 2 if you have an office job with little physical activity
Avoid sexual intercourse
Start driving provided they are not taking any pain medication. We also recommend waiting 3 days for the medication to be out of your system.
Weeks 3 – 5 patients with more physical jobs can return to work.
In weeks 3-5 patients may:
Start getting into a light exercise routine, using lower body
Start doing more physical household duties
In weeks 6-8 patients may:
Commence normal exercise routine and duties. Please note, do not push yourself into being back into your pre surgery routines.
Swimming, bathing running, yoga, stretching, spin class and Pilates
Stop wearing compression bra
At this stage patients are mostly fully recovered and sutures are absorbed. Patients should always wear a supportive bra when exercising or performing physical activity. For all patients with teardrop breast implants we recommend that you do not ever go back to using or exercising chest muscles heavily as teardrop implants can rotate.
In weeks 9-12 patients may:
Contact sport
Boxing and upper body exercise
What are the risks ?
Modern surgery is generally safe but does have the potential for risks and complications to occur.
Some possible complications and risks associated with breast lift surgery may include:
Surgical risks such as bleeding or infection
Fluid accumulation around the operation site(s)
Visible and prominent scars including keloid and hypertrophic scars. These are raised, red and thickened scars that may form over the healed incisions. They may be itchy, annoying and unsightly but are not a threat to health
Allergic reaction to suture materials, tape adhesive or other medical materials and lotions
Skin discoloration, permanent pigmentation changes, swelling and bruising
Fatty tissue deep in the skin could die (fat necrosis) leaving hard lumps
Changes in breast and nipple sensation
Temporary or permanent areas of numbness
Asymmetry (unevenness) of the breasts
Excessive firmness of the breast
Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola
Need for further surgery to treat complications
Risks of anaesthesia including allergic reaction or potentially fatal cardiovascular complications such as heart attack
A blood clot in the deep veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis), which can move to the lungs (pulmonary embolus) or to the brain and may be life threatening
