How Painful Is a Breast Lift?

Posted November 05, 2024 in Breast Lift

Over time, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, and aging can cause breasts to lose their shape and begin to droop. Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) can restore an ideal breast position and redefine contours. Many women choose to rejuvenate their breasts to boost both their cleavage and their confidence. This comprehensive blog explores common discomfort patterns experienced during recovery from breast lift surgery, as well as an overview of the procedure’s benefits.

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Levels of Pain After Breast Lift Surgery

Breast lift surgery typically involves some degree of pain, especially during the first few days after the procedure. Most patients describe this discomfort as tightness across the chest and tenderness in and under the breasts. However, these symptoms are usually easy to manage with medication prescribed by your surgeon.  

Pain levels following mastopexy generally correlate to the stage of recovery. While every patient’s recovery is unique, most women can expect some variation of the following:

Week 1–2 

Swelling, bruising, and mild-to-moderate pain are to be expected during the first few days to weeks after surgery, but prescription pain medication or over-the-counter pain relievers will help significantly with discomfort. It’s essential to limit physical activity, increase fluid intake, and rest as much as possible. Keeping your head and shoulders elevated should also help minimize pain and swelling. Most patients can return to light activities within a week.

Weeks 3–4

Swelling and pain should have decreased significantly, and you can expect to feel more comfortable and begin to appreciate your results. You may also be cleared by your surgeon for light exercise, but continue to avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and upper-body exercises.

Weeks 4–6

By the fourth to sixth week, a majority of swelling will have resolved, alleviating most if not all discomfort and your results will be more obvious. Your surgeon should clear you to resume normal activities, including upper-body workouts, if no complications have arisen. 

Months 2–3

Your final results will become clearer as your breasts settle into place, and scars will fade over time.

Breast Lift Surgery Overview

A breast lift is a surgical procedure to restore firmness to sagging breasts by reshaping the tissue and tightening the skin for a perkier, more youthful-looking bustline. Mastopexy won’t increase the size of your breasts, but it can be combined with breast augmentation for those who want larger breasts or breast reduction for those who desire smaller, lifted breasts.

How is breast lift surgery performed?

Breast lift surgery is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia and usually takes two to three hours, depending on complexity and if combined with other procedures.

Dr. Christopher Patronella performs breast lift surgery with an anchor incision to allow for the most extensive and comprehensive lift correction possible. In general, there are other incision techniques that can be used depending on the amount of sagging and the desired results:

• An anchor incision surrounds the areola, extending down to the bottom of the breast, then continues horizontally along the crease. This option provides the most access when lifts are combined with breast reduction.
• A crescent incision is made along the upper half of the areola, typically for minor sagging.
• A peri-areolar incision goes all the way around the areola to correct mild-to-moderate sagging.
• A vertical or “lollipop” incision is made around the areola and extends down the breast to the crease for moderate-to-severe sagging.

Once the incisions are made, the surgeon will lift and recontour the breast tissue, reposition the nipple and areola, and remove excess skin. 

Why Consider Breast Lift Surgery?

Mastopexy offers many physical and emotional benefits for women who want to enhance the appearance of their breasts. Some of these advantages include:

• Youthful Shape: One of the most obvious benefits is more youthful and lifted breast contours.
• Improved Symmetry: A breast lift can correct uneven breast size or position caused by aging, weight fluctuations, or pregnancy, 
• Better Nipple Placement: Mastopexy repositions nipples and areolas to a more natural, forward-facing position.
• Tighter Skin: By removing loose, excess skin, this surgery lifts and tightens the breasts for a more youthful appearance.
• Long-Lasting Results: The results of breast lift surgery can last ten or more years, especially when combined with healthy lifestyle habits.
• Boost in Confidence: A breast lift can make women feel more comfortable with their bodies and increase their confidence.

When contemplating breast lift surgery, having a clear understanding of the recovery process and associated discomfort can help you with your decision and prepare you for the procedure.

Your Top Breast Lift Surgeon in Houston, TX

Dr. Patronella is not only a Houston, Texas, board-certified plastic surgeon but is also highly esteemed among his peers and the medical community. 

Dr. Patronella developed True Form Aesthetic Breast Surgery® techniques to maximize the excellent results he is known for. Explore our before and after photo gallery to see real patient results and discover the possibilities.

Call (713) 702-2275 to reach our plastic surgery practice in Houston and schedule your breast lift consultation.