The breasts are the symbol of feminine sensuality, but the passing of time affects their shape and consistency. This is why more and more women are interested in the breast lift procedure. The specialists in the field have proven over the time through numerous examples what aesthetic results can be achieved when performing this intervention.
What is the mammary lift?
This procedure is also called a mastopexy which remodels the breasts. It helps restore the shape of the breasts and can even improve their contour. The firmness and beauty of the breasts are threatened by many factors such as hormonal changes, weight fluctuations, aging, genetics, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Creams, massages and physical exercises are not able to eliminate the excess skin that can be noticed when the breasts start to sag.
What should you know before undergoing a breast lift surgery?
Before anything else, you will need to discuss with your plastic surgeon about your medical history and to honestly answer all his questions. This type of procedure needs to be scheduled well in advance and it requires a series of tests to be performed. If you are on anti-depressive medication or birth control pills, you will need to stop the treatments for a period of time. The procedure should also not be performed during the menstrual cycle. If you have given birth recently, the plastic surgeon will advise you to postpone the procedure for at least a year after discontinuing breastfeeding.
How is the breast lift performed? What is expected during recovery?
Depending on the size of the breasts and the level of sagginess, the plastic surgeon will decide what the most suitable operative technique is. Commonly used nowadays are the periareolar technique, the vertical technique, and the anchor technique. Another technique that I designed and perform with spectacular results is the Wonder Breast lift.
The basic steps of the intervention are the lift of the glandular tissue, removing the excess skin, and repositioning the areola. The intervention lasts approximately 2-3 hours and is usually performed under general anesthesia. It is important to be aware of the fact that the post-operative discomfort is different from patient to patient. Permanent scars will be left behind after the surgery.
After the surgery, you will see your plastic surgeon for the checkups, especially during the first weeks when the wound dressing is changed and the sutures cleaned. The complete recovery is a progressive process and can take up to three months. During this period, you will need to wear a girdle, avoid sports and excessive sun exposure, as well as sleeping on your tummy.
The breast lift procedure can remodel your breasts beautifully and offer them the much-needed firmness, but it won’t stop the aging process.
What NOT to do after a breast lift surgery
1. Postpone or avoid wearing the girdle
After the breast lift surgery, it is required for the patient to wear an elastic bandage (supportive bra) to minimize the edema and to support the breasts during the recovery process.
Even from the initial consultation, the plastic surgeon should explain to you the necessity of wearing a girdle and what its role during healing. Failing to wear the girdle can result in unwanted complications, as well as unsatisfactory results after the intervention. The compressive bra should be worn according to your plastic surgeon’s advice, as failure to do so can have a significant impact on the results of the surgery. It is important to keep in mind that all the surgeon’s recommendations are based on his expertise and experience, hence it is not advisable to make your own decisions.
2. Smoking or drinking alcohol in excessive quantities
Smoking has a tremendous impact on a person’s health. If a patient continues smoking before and immediately after a plastic surgery intervention, he is more at risk of developing specific complications such as tissue necrosis, wound opening, and delayed wound healing. All these are caused by the lack of proper oxygenation to the blood that irrigates the surgical wound. Drinking alcohol in large quantities before and after the procedure can also cause excessive bleeding.
3. Removing the sutures by yourself
Ten days to two weeks from the surgery, the sutures will need to be removed by the plastic surgeon. Do not do this on your own. Before removing the sutures, the plastic surgeon will make sure that the wound is completely closed and there is no danger of infection. Attempting to do so yourself can trigger an infection or trigger a reopening of the wound.
4. Avoiding checkups
The relationship with the plastic surgeon should, by no means, be over when the surgery is finished. The plastic surgeon has to monitor you during the recovery process, make sure everything is fine, and complications are kept at bay. Even if you are feeling good and are satisfied with the result of the procedure, you should go for the regular checkups with the plastic surgeon.
5. Exercising too soon
Some patients feel great a few days after the procedure and are able to resume their day-to-day activities. Your plastic surgeon will strongly advise you to walk and be active shortly after the procedure is performed, but he will also tell you to avoid strenuous physical exercises and excessive arm movement for at least six weeks after the procedure.
Even if you feel great, you should still avoid difficult physical exercises until you have a green light from the plastic surgeon. Your body needs time to heal for the damaged tissues to recuperate.
Recovery
Generally speaking, the breast lift procedure is a simple and easy intervention when performed by an experienced surgeon. The recovery after mastopexy is usually shorter and less painful than recovering from a breast reduction or breast augmentation surgery. If we combine more procedures in one sitting, the procedure becomes more complex and can also be accompanied by difficulties during the recovery period.
For the first days of the recovery period, the patient might experience pain and swelling on the operated area. To alleviate these symptoms, medication can help. After the procedure, the skin in the area can become very dry. A moisturizing cream can be very helpful in this case. Just make sure you ask your doctor’s permission before applying any cream or gel to the surgical wounds.
The post-operative scars are often prominent and red, but in time they will improve in their appearance. The patient is advised to avoid exposing the scars to the sun as this can affect the normal healing process.
Conclusion
A responsible plastic surgeon will discuss with you even from the initial consultation about what you should and should not do after a breast lift procedure.
Daily activities can be resumed within a few days from the surgical intervention, but it is not recommended to resume work sooner than a week after the procedure and exercise sooner than a month to six weeks.
After the breast lift procedure, you should avoid strenuous body movements and sleeping on their stomach for at least a month. Sexual intercourse is to be avoided to prevent unnecessary pressure, stimulation, and rubbing on the breasts. Smoking and drinking alcohol are also not advised as they might lead to unwanted and severe complications.
Keep in mind that the compressive bra is mandatory after the mastopexy procedure and should be worn for as long as the plastic surgeon deems it necessary. Failing to do so can negatively impact the results of your intervention, as well as delay the recovery process.