Recovering from a breast lift will be a process that will involve a little patience, self-care, and closely following your surgeon’s personalised advice. Managing discomfort and supporting your body’s healing will be an important part of your recovery.
In particular, swelling and bruising are completely normal after surgery and are part of your body’s healing process. While they can be uncomfortable post-surgery experiences, there are some steps you can take to help reduce them sooner.
This blog will guide you through some practical ways to minimise swelling and bruising after your breast lift. Surgeons will always need to provide you with personalised instructions, and you will be able to receive these during your consultation with Dr Anh in Perth.
What causes swelling and bruising after a breast lift?
We know that swelling and bruising are both normal signs of your body’s healing process, but let’s explain the cause of each symptom in more detail.
Firstly, swelling occurs when fluid accumulates in the tissues after surgery. It’s part of the body’s natural response to trauma and can vary in severity, depending on the extensiveness of your breast lift procedure and how your body will naturally respond.
As for bruising, this occurs when the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in the area are disrupted during the procedure, causing blood to collect under the skin.
Both swelling and bruising after a breast lift are temporary, and will gradually subside over the weeks after your surgery. Importantly, the steps you can take during recovery can make a noticeable difference in how soon both swelling and bruising can subside.
Reduce swelling and bruising by following your surgeon’s specific guidelines
An experienced surgeon will provide you with personalised recovery instructions, which will be designed to align with your individual needs and the extensiveness of your breast lift.
Perth Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Anh will provide you with instructions and explain them in detail during your consultation, ensuring that you understand how to follow each step.
One of the important instructions that surgeons will give you is to wear a compression bra. After a breast lift, wearing this post-surgical garment helps to reduce swelling and support the breast tissue, by consistently applying gentle pressure on the breasts.
Make sure that you wear the bra as often as instructed. You’ll also need to avoid wearing underwire bras for your surgeon’s recommended amount of time after the procedure, as they can irritate the incision sites and interfere with healing.
Your surgeon will also need to give you instructions on how to take certain medications, such as prescribed pain medication or antibiotics. They may also instruct you to stop taking certain medications or supplements during your recovery. Following these instructions can help you sufficiently stay on top of any discomfort, and can contribute towards helping swelling and bruising subside by supporting your body’s overall healing.
Another specific guideline that your surgeon will likely provide will be to avoid excessive heat exposure for a particular length of time. Hot showers, saunas, and other common sources of excessive heat can increase swelling. Make sure that you avoid excessive heat for the amount of time that your surgeon advises.
Finally, your surgeon will need to provide instructions on managing your activity levels after a breast lift. Excessive physical activity, such as strenuous workouts or heavy lifting, can increase swelling, put you at risk of injury, which can lead to more bruising, and slow down your overall healing. You will typically be instructed to stick to light walking to promote circulation during your recovery.
To tailor instructions on physical activity levels to your needs, as well as how well your body is healing, your surgeon can give you a timeline to follow that will guide you on when you can begin to be more active.
Your surgeon’s instructions are designed to prioritise your wellbeing and your healing, which includes helping swelling subside.
Our additional tips to follow that can help swelling and bruising subside
In addition to your specific recovery instructions, there are more steps you can take to encourage swelling and bruising to subside sooner.
Our first tip is to rest with your upper body slightly elevated. Keeping your upper body elevated, even while you sleep, is one of the most effective ways to reduce swelling. Elevating your chest allows gravity to help move excess fluid away from the breasts, reducing swelling over time.
This position is particularly important during the first week after surgery when swelling tends to be at its peak. Try to avoid lying flat on your back or on your side, as this can worsen swelling or put pressure on your breasts.
Another helpful tip is to use a gentle cold compress. However, make sure that your surgeon recommends doing this first, and that you wrap the cold compress in a clean cloth to avoid direct contact with the skin. You can apply the cold compress to the area around your breasts for 10 minutes at a time, then give your skin a break before reapplying.
Staying hydrated will also help swelling subside, as drinking enough water helps your body flush out excess fluid and prevent water retention. You should aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day and reduce your intake of caffeine, as it can be dehydrating.
Excess salt in your diet can cause your body to retain fluid, which may worsen swelling. Following a low-sodium diet after your breast lift by eating nutritious, unprocessed and home-cooked food can help.
Overall, taking good care of your body and general health after a breast lift can greatly help to encourage swelling and bruising to subside.
Organise a breast lift consultation with Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Anh in Perth
To help you prepare for your breast lift and get organised for your recovery, a consultation with Dr Anh will provide you with the personalised, in-depth information you need.
Breast lift procedures are not one-size-fits-all and should always be carefully planned – for effective results and for an efficient recovery.
Please get in touch with our team to schedule your consultation!