Breast Lift – After the procedure

The procedure itself will take approximately 3-4 hours.

AFTER SURGERY

1. Get plenty of rest and limit yourself to light activities the first 10 days after surgery. Sleep and rest with head slightly elevated for the first 3 days.
2. You may take a cool shower the day after surgery. Make sure you have someone helping you. Let water run gently over the drains exits. Dab dry. Place gauze over drain exit. Put your bra back on.
3. Do not drive for the first week or while on pain medications. Do not do heavy housework and do not work out at all for the first 3 weeks, no upper body workout for at least 8 weeks.
4. Avoid lifting anything heavier than 5 pounds for 2 weeks.
5. Wear a surgical bra 24 hours a day for 8 weeks unless Dr. Cruise instructs you differently.
6. Avoid exposing the incisions to direct sunlight for at least 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) to the area of the incision, if you will be in the sun for extended periods of time.
7. Do not smoke for at least 1 week after surgery.
8. Do not use aspirin-containing products for at least 1 week. You may take Tylenol or pain medication as prescribed.
9. You may apply ice or frozen peas or corn on the breast for the first 48 hours to decrease swelling. Do not apply it directly on your skin.
10. Be sure to use all you medications as directed.
11. It is not uncommon for a small part of incision to open up and look like a pimple at 4-8 weeks. This is called a Stitch Abscess – it is caused by a suture which is expelled by the body. Simply wash it with soap and water and apply Neosporin or Polysporin on it. If the redness is larger than a dime call the office.

WHAT TO EXPECT AS YOU RECOVER

1. Immediately after surgery, some patients feel groggy or nauseous. These feeling normally subside by the next day.
2. Many patients experience some pain for the first 3-4 days and soreness for the first 2 weeks
3. Most of the time the breasts are very swollen and tight for the six week. Do not be concerned as they will drop with time. At your follow up appointment Dr. Cruise will show you how to massage them to make sure you positioning is appropriate. The body heals asymmetrically. One breast might be swollen, hurt more and appear higher or lower than the other, this is completely natural.
4. Swelling and bruising usually clears up within 2 weeks.
5. Pink scars will eventually fade to an unnoticeable color. It may take up to a year for the scar to fade to its minimal color.
6. Some firmness may develop. Once the tenderness subsides, you may begin to massage the breasts to help soften them. After 3 months you should massage your breasts daily during your shower for 30 seconds for the rest of your life.
7. Your nipples might become hyper sensitive or lose sensation for the first 3 months. This usually goes away.

WHEN TO CALL US

Post surgical complications are rare and are often easily solved by the doctor if you notify us. Call us if you experience any of the following:

A temperature of 101 F or higher, increased local redness or warmth, chest pain, shortness of breath, legs swelling, calf pain, or if you feel that anything might be wrong. Please call the office during regular business hours @ 949-644-4808 . In addition, call if you have continuous discharge from the incision line, if one of the breasts appears significantly larger and more tender, if the pain increases instead of decreasing after 5 days or the breasts become red.

POST-OP VISITS AND CARE SUMMARY