How to Reduce Swelling After a Breast Lift

Women commonly experience changes in breast tissue with age, weight loss, and after childbirth. Sagging or loose skin, stretch marks, and drooping breasts can be annoying to live with and reduce confidence in body image. Breast lift surgery is designed to reconstruct the fullness and shape of the breasts that have diminished with time to achieve a youthful silhouette. Dr. Omar Ahmed is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgical specialist who assists patients throughout Pasadena, CA in accomplishing their desired cosmetic needs at Omar Ahmed, M.D.

What is a breast lift?

A breast lift is a reconstructive cosmetic surgical procedure that provides breast tissue with a natural-looking lift. Dr. Ahmed implements body contouring treatment techniques to shape tissue or trim away loose skin to provide patients with firmer breasts. While patients can opt for implants to enlarge the breasts, some patients may want to retain their current size while raising the breasts to a higher position.

Am I an ideal candidate for a breast lift?

Patients are excellent candidates for breast lift surgery if they:

are physically healthy and are at a good weight
Have sagging, loose, or excessive skin around the breasts
Have breast changes due to weight loss, age, or childbirth
Have diminished breast firmness, shape, and symmetry

Certain patients may not qualify for a breast lift based on their current physical condition or their medical history. Dr. Ahmed conducts initial examinations, collects your personal history, and listens to your goals to help you develop a customized breast lift surgical plan and to help you determine if a breast lift is right for you.

How is a breast lift performed?

A breast lift is an invasive procedure that is performed using general anesthesia, which means the patient will be unconscious during the procedure. Surgery usually takes approximately two hours to complete, but the duration can vary depending on the patient’s goals and the amount of tissue that needs to be contoured or removed. Small incisions are made to trim excessive or drooping skin, and the breasts are pulled upward into a natural position. In many cases, the areola surrounding each nipple is resized and reshaped to match the repositioned breasts.

What is the recovery period like?

Patients can return home the same day of surgery but are expected to rest for at least the first week. For the next few weeks, patients can slowly resume normal daily activities while avoiding strenuous tasks, such as intense physical exercise. Dr. Ahmed sends each patient home with specific aftercare instructions to promote healing and to maximize results. Within a few weeks, the breasts will settle into their new position and appear fuller and younger.

How can patients help reduce swelling after a breast lift?

Patients will be sent home wearing a compression garment after surgery to minimize swelling. A thin tube is placed near the incision to collect and drain any excess fluid. To prevent further tissue swelling at home, patients should adhere to Dr. Ahmed’s care instructions and perform certain activities, including:

Using cold compresses
Getting up and walking around to promote circulation
Avoiding hot showers
Avoiding heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling during the resting period

Are results long-lasting?

Breast lift surgical results can last for many years as long as patients take great care during the recovery period. If patients experience extreme weight changes or childbirth after breast lift surgery, this could potentially skew results.

Learn more about breast lift surgery in Pasadena, CA

If you are dissatisfied with natural changes to your breast, live near or around Pasadena, CA, and would like to achieve a youthful, contoured silhouette, contact our team at Omar Ahmed, M.D. and schedule an appointment today. Dr. Omar Ahmed will introduce you to the benefits of breast lift surgery and help you design a customized surgical plan that meets your cosmetic desires.