Recovering from Breast Lift in Las Vegas
Dr. Cambeiro is a board-certified plastic surgeon performing breast lift surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada. If you live outside of the Las Vegas area, please contact us to learn more about our fly-in program.
- After the breast lift procedure, you will be asked to wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings.
- Your breasts will be swollen, bruised, and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain should not be severe (medications will help any discomfort you may be experiencing).
- Dr. Cambeiro or his nurse will remove the dressings, and the incisions are checked to ensure that there are no problems or complications with infection.
- Within a few days, the bandages or surgical bra will be replaced by a soft support bra. You will need to wear this bra around the clock for three to four weeks, over a layer of gauze.
- Dissolvable sutures are used so no sutures will need to be removed.
- You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by swelling from the breast lift procedure.
- This numbness will most likely fade as the swelling subsides over the next 6 weeks; however, it is possible that in some patients it will last a year or more and occasionally it may be permanent.
- You should not drive until you have normal return of daily activity and are off all narcotic medications.
- You should avoid strenuous activities such as bending, lifting, and sports for about three weeks. Drinking alcohol can lead to fluid retention and delays recovery.
- During the first 24 hours your assigned caretaker will assist you in getting up to the bathroom, taking medications, and eating and drinking. During the first 12-24 hours you will stay on a liquid diet and advance yourself as tolerated.
- You will probably feel tired and sore for a few days following your breast surgery, but you will be up and about in 24-48 hours. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication.
- Antibiotics are continued for five days after the procedure to lower the risk of infection.
- You should be up and walking on the morning following your breast lift surgery, and a light solid diet begun to the point of tolerance.
- If you have a temperature over 99.5 degrees, chills or sweats, a markedly different degree of swelling between side, and/or increasing rather than decreasing pain—call the office immediately!
- You should be able to return to work within a few days to week, depending on the level of activity required for your job.
- Dr. Cambeiro will let you know when a good time is to start up your exercises and normal activities.
- You are allowed to bathe 48 to 72 hours after the procedure. Showering is then permitted but the incisions should not be submerged, as in a tub or pool.
- Note that the recovery steps described above will be different for patients who have had other surgeries in addition to their breast lifts, such as liposuction or breast augmentation in Las Vegas.
Breast Lift Final Result
- After the breast lift procedure, do not plan on returning to work for a week or more, even if you are feeling like you can be up and about.
- Avoid lifting anything over your head for 3 to 4 weeks.
- If you become pregnant the procedure should not affect your ability to breast-feed, since your milk ducts and nipples will be left intact.
- It may take 1 to 2 years for the scars to mature and fade.
- Remember that a breast lift will not keep you firm forever, the effects of gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight fluctuations will eventually take their toll again. Usually women who have a breast lift with implants will have longer lasting results.
If you are considering breast lift, Las Vegas plastic surgeon Dr. Cambeiro invites you to request a complimentary consultation or give our office a call at (702) 566-8300 for confidential and informative answers to all your questions. If you prefer, you can send us an email using our discreet online form.
