The Day of Breast Lift Surgery

Breast lift surgery is performed with a general anesthetic. Our board-certified anesthesiologist feels that this method of anesthesia provides the greatest degree of patient satisfaction for this procedure. Mastopexy usually takes 2 to 3 hours. There are several techniques that Dr. Parson utilizes. When the amount of breast droopiness is small, only an incision around the areola may be necessary. With more droopiness, a vertical incision extending down from the areola may be necessary. For more severe forms of sagging breasts, a horizontal incision at the base of the breast may be necessary. If a breast implant is placed, that is done through these same incisions, and is usually placed below the breast and below the chest muscles.

The Post-Operative Period

At the conclusion of your procedure, you will be placed into a bra over tape and gauze dressings. The breasts become bruised, swollen, and tender for a week or so, but the pain should not be severe, and is usually well controlled with the pain medication that is prescribed.

After 2 to 3 days, Dr. Parson or his nurse removes the dressings, and the incisions are checked to ensure that there are no problems or complications such as infection. You will then be able to shower. You will be asked to wear a bra around the clock for 4 to 6 weeks for support of the incisions during the early stages of wound healing. Though the skin of the breast may feel numb for a while, usually the feeling returns in 6 to 8 weeks. It normally takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks for all of the initial swelling to subside, and it takes 1 to 2 years for the scars to mature and fade.