New York City · Breast Lift
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New York City Breast Lift
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New York City Breast Lift

Breast Lift Patient Information -
Post-Operative Care

RECOVERY ROOM: You will feel sleepy or groggy when you awake from anesthesia. The length of your stay in the recovery room will depend on how quickly you feel ready to sit up and leave on your own. During this time, you will be monitored. You will spend at least 30 minutes to an hour in the recovery room. When Dr. Zevon thinks you are ready to depart, he will ask the OR nurse to help you get dressed. Your escort and our nurse will help you into your vehicle (car or taxi). Because you will be groggy, you should expect to move slowly and carefully. We will have a set of your Post-op Instructions at our reception desk for your escort.

REST: When you arrive home, be prepared to rest in bed for 2 hours. Since you fasted before your breast lift surgery, you will be dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids. When you awake from the 2 hour nap, begin to eat lightly. If you feel nauseated, lie on your back with your head down and remain still. Any sensation of nausea should pass by the morning after your breast lift surgery. If you feel okay, light activity is fine.

HOW TO SIT UP IN BED: The easiest way to sit up from lying on your back is to move your body parallel to the edge of the bed and swing your legs over the edge, bending your knees and placing your feet on the ground. Then use your abdominal muscles to sit up instead of pushing yourself up with your arms and chest muscles. If you have someone to help you, an easy way to sit up is to have someone else carefully support your back and to help you sit up.

PAIN: After breast lift surgery, the period of maximum discomfort varies from patient to patient from 2 or 3 days to a week. Almost all patients feel comfortable by the end of the first week. Many breast lift patients return to work on Monday or Tuesday after Friday surgery. Most patients take the prescribed oral pain medication. DON'T DRIVE WHILE TAKING PAIN PILLS! In addition, placing ice bags padded with a towel over the breasts may relieve discomfort significantly. The period of greatest discomfort usually does not last more than 12 to 14 hours.

MEDICATIONS: Take the antibiotics and pain medication prescribed by Dr. Zevon according to the pharmacy instructions. Don't take the pain medication on an empty stomach, as this may produce nausea and vomiting. Have another adult give you the pain medication at the correct time and/or keep written records of how much you take and when you take it. You do not have to take the pain medicine if you are not in pain, but you must take all of your antibiotics. Do not drive while taking pain medication.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Your breasts may be bruised (black and blue discoloration) and swollen after this surgery. The bruising may last for approximately 2 weeks. The swelling may diminish gradually during this time. Your breasts will be sensitive to direct stimulation, so you should avoid much physical contact. When your breasts are no longer sore, physical contact is fine. You may feel a burning sensation in your nipples; this will subside as the bruising fades. Sensory changes can result after breast lift surgery. Most of these changes resolve on their own over time. It is not unusual for the two sides to look different and feel different, but differences should be reported to Dr. Zevon during your post-op visits.

SCARS: Your scars may be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely. You should use sunscreen if you are in the sun in a bathing suit during the first year after your breast lift surgery. Ask us about hi-SPF sunscreens suitable for post-surgery patients.

CALL DR. ZEVON IF YOU HAVE:

  1. severe pain not responding to pain medication;
  2. significantly more swelling and/or pain on one side than the other, or
  3. if you have drains that are filling too rapidly (see DRAINS, below).

DON'T TAKE CHANCES! Call if you are concerned about anything you consider significant. During office hours, call (212) 496-6600. After hours, call (917) 612-3800.

DRESSINGS & WRAP: After breast lift surgery, Dr. Zevon will apply gauze dressings, usually covered in plastic, and a sports-type bra.

DRAINS: One drain may be placed in each breast at the time of breast lift surgery. Drains are used to promote fluid evacuation and speed healing if fluid accumulates during or after surgery. When the drain is inserted, the bulb at the end of each tube is compressed to create gentle suction. As the fluid accumulates, the bulb expands. Empty the drain by opening the plug at the top and pouring out the contents, twice a day or when the bulb is half full. After you empty the drain, squeeze the bulb to recompress it. Do not remove the bulb from the tubing. If the bulb fills rapidly after emptying, or you have to empty more than twice a day, call Dr. Zevon. You will be given a quick demonstration of drain care in the recovery room if you have drains.

HYGIENE: Dr. Zevon usually covers gauze dressings with plastic, to keep the dressings dry so you can shower at any time. You can remove the sports bra for showering.

SLEEP: Sleep on your back or on your side, but do not sleep on your stomach for 4 weeks.

DRIVING: For planning purposes, you can anticipate that you will not be able to drive for a week or so. You may find that you are ready to drive in less than a week, or that you are not ready at the end of the first week. Dr. Zevon usually tells breast lift patients not to drive until they are recovered sufficiently that if they were driving and had a car accident they could truthfully state that they did not suffer diminished capacity due to recent breast lift surgery. Make sure you are recovered enough to drive safely before you get back behind the wheel. It is not safe to drive while taking oral pain medication.

Continue reading breast lift patient information

Pre-operative Instructions  entire document for printing
Post-operative Instructions  entire document for printing
FAQs on Recovery From Plastic Surgery
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The Shape of Things to Come Breast Lift in New York City and Manhattan Copyright Dr. Scott J. Zevon, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon of New York City at Central Park Plastic Surgery
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The shape of THINGS to comeSM - Dr. Zevon is a board certified plastic surgeon practicing in New York City. At his plastic surgery office in Manhattan, he performs cosmetic surgery procedures such as liposuction, tummy tuck, face lift, and eyelid surgery. Dr. Zevon also specializes in breast surgery procedures such as breast augmentation, breast implants and breast lift. Visit Dr. Zevon's extensive archive of plastic surgery before and after photographs.

New York City · Breast Lift: Board-certified plastic surgeon Scott J. Zevon MD maintains this website to provide general health information to the public, not medical advice to individuals. If you are interested in a breast lift procedure, please contact us at our Manhattan plastic surgery office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zevon.