You will wake up after surgery wearing a soft bra. You can expect to be sore and stiff for several days. You will have three prescriptions to minimize your discomfort: a pain medication, a muscle relaxer and an anti-inflammatory. You will need to take it easy for several days to optimize your recovery and allow yourself time to heal. You can go back to work within 5-7 days, and your results will continue to settle for the first 6 weeks. Patience is a must, as it takes time for your tissues to adjust to your new breast shape. Diminished sensation of your breast skin and/or nipple may also occur during this time and is normal. You will not be able to drive as long as you are on pain medication or muscle relaxers, and you can’t perform any heavy lifting in the first few weeks following surgery.

How long the discomfort last?

Most patients use the narcotic pain medication for the first 3 days after surgery. The soreness usually lasts for a week.

What kind of medication will I have to take after surgery?

You will be given 5 prescriptions at your pre-operative appointment: an antibiotic that you are required to take to prevent infection, an anti-nausea medicine if needed, a narcotic medication for pain, a muscle relaxer and Celebrex, a strong anti-inflammatory or NSAID medication. Celebrex is the only NSAID that can be used after surgery because it is the only one in its class that does not interfere with platelet function or increase your risk of bleeding. If you are prone to vaginal yeast infections while on antibiotics, please let us know so that we may prescribe oral Diflucan to prevent this. Also, please remember that some of these medications may interfere with the efficacy or oral contraceptive pills, so you must use another method of birth control during this time.

Are there any other medication or vitamins I should take or avoid after surgery?

The narcotic pain medication can cause constipation, so we recommend that you start Colace, an over the counter stool softener, when you start taking the pain medication. During your pre-op appointment, we will tell you what medications to avoid before surgery and you will want to avoid them for 2 weeks after surgery. We will recommend surgery vitamins and supplements, which will help to minimize bruising and swelling.

How soon can I shower after surgery?

You will be able to remove your dressings and shower 48 hours after surgery. Steristrips directly on your skin incisions will remain in place until your first post-operative appointment.

When is it safe to soak my incisions in water – take a bath, go swimming, sit in a hot tub?

Do not submerge your incisions in water for 3 weeks after surgery

When can I begin exercising after breast lift?

You should refrain from any strenuous activity or heavy lifting for 3 weeks following surgery. You may return to light exercise around 3 weeks after surgery depending on your progress. You should avoid any twisting, weight lifting or high impact exercises for at least 3 weeks.

Will I need to purchase a particular type of bra to wear after surgery?

You will be placed in a supportive, soft bra after surgery that will be provided. We ask that you avoid any type of push-up bra in the first 6 weeks and avoid underwire bras, which can aggravate your scars. We will let you know when you may get sized for a new bra, usually 6 weeks after surgery

What am I going to do with all of my old bras that no longer fit?

You can join us in our support of Breast Oasis. Breast Oasis was created following the realization that many breast surgery patients were throwing away their perfectly good bras following their procedures. It’s a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting communities by providing women who may not be able to afford them with clean, certified, gently used bras. Breast oasis is about women helping women and we give 100% support to that. Find out more but visiting their website at BreastOasis.org or by watching this How To Donate video.

Final Results

How long will it take before I’m completely healed?

Within 4-6 weeks, you will be fully recovered, but your breast shape and scars will continue to refine over the next several months. It can take up to 8 weeks for the swelling to completely subside. Nerves in the breast area also take 6-12 months to heal. As they do, increased or decreased sensation in the nipple will normalize.