The surgeon will make 1 to 3 surgical cuts (incision) in your breast. Extra skin, and sometimes some breast tissue, will be removed and your nipple and areola may be moved.
The truth is that the nipples are kept on what we call a pedicle – a blood supply with an artery and a vein to allow the nipple and areola to get blood and oxygen. So, the nipple and areola are moved upward with breast tissue and soft tissue surrounding it. The entire mound gets elevated. There is no “cutting off”!
How Common Are Nipple Sensitivity Changes After Breast Lift? While it's unlikely that you'll experience a loss of feeling or sensitivity in your nipple after breast lift surgery, it can still happen in rare cases. As mentioned, any numbness is usually temporary and will return over time.
It's not until 21-23 cm we that we even start to discuss detaching the nipple. So, for 99% of women considering a lift or a reduction, detaching the nipples isn't even remotely a consideration. It just never happens.
It usually takes 6 to 12 weeks for the breasts to achieve their final shape.
The women reported an average decrease of approximately one cup size, for instance going from a D to a C. All of the women were wearing the same brand of bra, so there were no variations based upon manufacturer sizing differences.
It's worth noting that most patients do not lose any nipple sensation after breast lifts. 15% lose some, but it's only temporary. For the remaining 5%, the permanent loss can be partial or complete.
Your breast lift incisions should begin to close and heal within the first 1 – 2 weeks after surgery, during which time it is important to keep the area clean and not submerge the incisions. Once they have fully closed, the scar should begin to fade from red to pink and ultimately to flesh or white tone.
Some patients find that their breast lift results last for well over 15 years while others may seek minor cosmetic alterations sooner. On average, breast lift results last for 10 to 15 years.
Much of the swelling and bruising disappears in the first few weeks following the surgery. Breasts may appear slightly mismatched, or have unevenly positioned nipples. Their new shape will be apparent within 6 months to a year, and will depend on hormonal fluctuations, weight changes and pregnancy.
Remember that a breast lift does not slow the aging process. Eventually, the breasts will drop years after a breast lift simply because the aging process has continued.
A breast lift will enhance the appearance of your breasts but is considered major surgery.
Swelling and general fluid accumulation post surgery will alter the appearance of your breasts. But after a few weeks of recovery, your breasts will begin to take on their final shape. This usually happens six to 12 weeks after surgery.
It's essential to keep in mind that, unlike breast augmentation, a breast lift won't increase the size of your breasts. In fact, after your operation, you may notice that your breasts appear smaller than they had before surgery due to the removal of excess skin.
It is critical that patients wear their supportive unwired medical bra at all times for the first 1 – 2 weeks after breast lift surgery. At this point, you may be able to sleep without a bra, though most patients find it more comfortable to continue wearing an unwired bra around the clock for several more weeks.
Don't lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk (including your children), as you could strain your healing breasts and cause swelling. Along the same lines, don't push anything heavy, like a stroller or a large grocery cart. Don't smoke after surgery, as it can interfere with your body's ability to heal.
While discomfort or pain after surgery is to be expected, women usually mention that breast reduction or breast lift surgery is a lot less painful than what they expected. Generally people comment that it's more 'discomfort or pain limited to the incisions', rather than pain within the breasts or over the chest.
How Long After Surgery Will My Nipples Point Down? If you have breast augmentation, you can expect your nipples to point downward for three or four weeks after surgery. This is how long your new implants generally take to settle in, so your nipples will correct themselves naturally soon after surgery.
You only lose about two pounds of breast tissue in the procedure, though the effect on your appearance is often dramatic.
Most women report feeling much more capable of exercising and maintaining their weight after the operation. It's common for women to lose between 10 and 20 pounds in the months following surgery.
While a breast lift does remove excess skin, fat and tissue to achieve a lifted and perkier breast appearance, the possibility of having smaller breasts after their procedure is one that most women need not worry about.
Two Weeks Post-Surgery
At this stage of the breast lift recovery, patients are generally cleared to engage in moderate physical activities. You may be able to perform light, low-impact cardio and other lower body exercises. Gentle arm exercises may also be appropriate.
However, a natural breast lift is safer than a breast lift with implants as you do not have the risks associated with implants. Have more questions on the cosmetic breast surgery procedures we offer? Call us on 0207 432 8727 to arrange a consultation.
Typically, most patients will be required to wear a compression bra during their initial part of recovery (two weeks after surgery). At that point, you can switch to a compression sports bra but make sure to avoid anything with an underwire. This can be worn for another two weeks, day and night.