Swelling and bruising are a normal part of the recovery process after a breast lift (mastopexy), and while they can be quite noticeable at first, there are steps you can take that may help reduce their severity and support your body as it heals.
During a breast lift (mastopexy), the skin and breast tissue are adjusted, which naturally leads to some degree of trauma within the tissues. Your body responds to this by sending extra fluid and blood to the area, which is what causes the swelling and bruising to develop.
While these symptoms are to be expected, it’s still helpful to understand what can influence them and what you can do in the early stages of recovery to help manage them as effectively as possible.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what to expect and what you can do during your recovery period to support the healing process.
Swelling and bruising in the early days after your surgery
During the first few days after a breast lift (mastopexy), it’s completely normal for swelling and bruising to be at their most noticeable. The breasts may feel firm, tender, and quite swollen during this time, and there may be a degree of tightness across the chest area as your body adjusts to the surgical changes.
Bruising can vary quite a bit from one patient to another. Some patients experience quite visible bruising across the lower or side parts of the breasts, while others might only notice minimal discolouration. The extent and location of bruising often depend on the surgical technique used, the natural response of your body, and even small factors like how your blood vessels react to the surgery.
Typically, swelling tends to peak around the second or third day after surgery and then gradually starts to reduce. It’s important to understand that some level of residual swelling can linger for a number of weeks, and in some cases, even a few months, as the deeper layers of tissue continue to heal.
How getting sufficient rest can help
Getting enough rest after your surgery will help support your body’s recovery and help minimise swelling and bruising.
Resting doesn’t mean you need to be completely inactive, but it does mean giving your body the downtime it needs to repair.
In the first week or two, it’s important that you avoid any activities that could strain your chest area. Movements that involve reaching your arms high overhead, lifting anything heavy, or putting pressure on your chest should be avoided during this early phase.
After a breast lift, you’ll usually be advised to sleep on your back with your upper body slightly elevated. Using a couple of pillows to gently lift yourself up can help encourage fluid drainage away from the chest, which may help reduce swelling more quickly. Sleeping completely flat or on your side can increase pressure on the surgical area and may worsen swelling, so it’s a good idea to stick to the back-sleeping position for at least the first few weeks, or as advised by your surgeon.
Managing swelling with a cold compress
In the very early stages, particularly within the first 48 hours after surgery, a cold compress can be useful for managing swelling, as well as minimising discomfort.
Applying a cold pack gently to the sides of the breasts (never directly onto the skin, always with a thin cloth or towel) can help to constrict the blood vessels and reduce the amount of fluid accumulating in the tissues. It’s best to apply cold packs
for short intervals, around 15 to 20 minutes at a time, taking some breaks in between.
It’s important that you don’t apply ice directly onto your incisions or the nipple area, as these areas will be more sensitive after surgery and could be at risk of cold injury. Cold therapy should generally only be used in the initial couple of days and not continued beyond that point, unless specifically advised by your surgeon.
Why you should manage your activity levels during recovery
While rest is important, so is gentle movement. Once you feel ready, light walking around the house can help to promote circulation and reduce the risk of complications like blood clots. Gentle movement also helps your lymphatic system function more effectively, which helps to clear excess fluid from the body.
Light walking is beneficial, but it is still important that you don’t overdo it. Activities that cause your heart rate to increase or blood pressure to spike can potentially increase swelling and bruising, so anything strenuous should be avoided early in recovery.
When you receive your breast lift recovery instructions, your surgeon will normally give you an outline of when you can expect to increase your activity levels. Your follow-up appointments will also let your surgeon assess your healing process and make recommendations.
The importance of wearing your compression garment
Wearing your post-surgical bra as instructed will be a highly helpful and important part of managing swelling and bruising. These specially designed bras apply gentle, even compression across the breast area, which can help to prevent excessive fluid buildup and encourage swelling to subside.
Compression garments also help to support the tissues while they heal, keeping them in a more stable position. It’s important that you wear the compression bra as directed. Your surgeon will discuss how often and when you’ll need to wear the bra during your consultation.
How taking care of your general health can help reduce swelling and bruising
Apart from following specific breast lift recovery instructions, taking care of your general health can also help swelling and bruising subside sooner.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet and staying hydrated can help you give your body the energy it needs to heal, as well as flush out excess fluids more efficiently.
Quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol are also important steps, as these can impair circulation and slow the healing process. Smoking can especially impact the way your tissues repair themselves and can lead to prolonged swelling or complications.
Overall, ensuring that you follow your recovery instructions and take care of yourself can help you support your body as it heals after your surgery.
Book a breast lift consultation at Vie at Fraser-Kirk, Sunshine Coast QLD
Taking a patient-focused approach, Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Grant Fraser-Kirk performs various breast and body procedures in the Sunshine Coast, QLD.
A Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and a qualified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr Fraser-Kirk has completed years of intensive study in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
He has a particular interest in breast reconstruction procedures, having performed over 300 breast reconstructions at one of the world’s leading breast units.
Please get in touch with our team at Vie at Fraser-Kirk to book your breast lift consultation.