Breast Lift (mastopexy)

Your Procedure

You have had a breast lift, also called a “mastopexy”.

Pre-operatively

Visit your family doctor and discuss any medications that you are currently taking, including vitamins. Some medications increase bleeding and should be avoided for at least 10 days before surgery (i.e. Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, Ginger or Gingko supplements). Have nothing to eat or drink after midnight on the night before surgery. Plan to shower the night prior and morning of your surgery using a chlorhexidine sponge. As this is daycare surgery, you will need a responsible adult to take you home and stay with you that night.

What to Expect

A bit of bleeding on the dressing is normal. Most swelling is resolved within 2 weeks. You may tire easily for the first few weeks after surgery. In order to protect incisions and promote healing, vigorous activity must be limited for four to six weeks after surgery. Avoid heavy lifting, stretching and strenuous exercise. You may need to prepare to have assistance with duties around the house (i.e. lifting children/groceries or vacuuming). Time off work varies between one and six weeks, depending on occupation. Nipples may be numb immediately after surgery and then may become more or less sensitive than preoperatively. Depending on the style of incisions, you may notice puckering at the suture lines. Occasionally the dissolving sutures form a little pimple in the skin and come out and can be treated by applying Polysporin and having your surgeon remove them. Puckering should resolve within three to four weeks. Approximately two weeks after surgery, when incisions have healed completely, scar management will be discussed and an information sheet will be provided at your postoperative appointment.

Surgical Site Care

You have been provided with a front closing supportive bra. Please wear it at all times until seen in follow up. Avoid other bras especially underwire bras for 6 weeks.
Starting the day after your surgery you may need to apply clean 4x4 gauze dressings to your incisions (i.e. after showering/bathing). This dressing will absorb small amounts of blood and/or clear fluid discharged from the incisions for the first few days. Replace wet/soiled gauze as needed.
Small gaps/openings in the incision lines may occur; keep these areas clean and dry. The sutures are under the skin surface and will dissolve themselves. You may remove your dressings and shower three days after surgery. Steri-strips (thin tapes) or Prineo (a light purple colored mesh) will remain in place 2-3 weeks and are designed to get wet in the shower. You may use soap and water, rinse, and use a soft towel to pat dry.

Activity and Care at Home

The surgery will be performed under general anaesthetic therefore must not operate motor vehicles, boats, power tools or machinery for the first 24 hours. You may drive after three days or when you are no longer taking narcotic pain medication. Your bra should be worn both day and night, for the initial two weeks then be worn daytime only for the next three weeks. Supporting your breasts with the bra minimizes tenderness and scarring. After three months you may wear a bra with underwire. Generally, you may resume full activities at 4 weeks some people may require 6 weeks. Do not use your arms in a way that will engage your chest muscles too much, for three to six weeks, depending on comfort (i.e. pushing, pulling or reaching activities).

Medications and Pain Management

Your breasts will be firm, swollen and bruised for several days. To manage pain, take Ibuprofen (Advil) and plain Tylenol every 6 hours for the first 48 hours. If that is not sufficient, then take the prescription medication. Do not take more Tylenol or ibuprofen than is recommended on the bottle in 24 hours. Sleeping with your arms elevated on pillows minimizes tugging on incisions and may, therefore, ease discomfort. Ice or cool compresses may help in the first couple of days, but do not leave ice on for longer than 10 minutes at a time.

What to watch for / when to call / who to call

If any of the following occur, please call the office:

Increasing pain rather than decreasing pain.
Increased swelling or redness around the wound, especially if only on one side.
Fever and chills.
Foul odour and/or increased drainage from incisions.
Excessive bleeding that is not controlled with pressure.
Swelling or excessive bruising that occurs only on one side.
Shortness of breath or pain in your calf.

Even if you plan to go to the emergency please call the surgeon as this may save you considerable time.

Follow-up

Your post-operative visits should be pre-scheduled at the time of surgical booking. If you are unsure of your follow up dates, please contact our office. Patients are usually seen for their first post-operative appointment about 7- 10 days after surgery.