Many patients presenting for cosmetic breast augmentation desire enhancement in the shape and size of their breasts. Frequently due to weight loss, pregnancy or hereditary influences, they may have various degrees of breast shapes. Patients who desire only breast lift and reshaping may not require the addition of a breast implant. Until recently breast lift without augmentation has not always provided the best long-term improvement. Some surgeons have tried many procedures over the years to reshape the breast. Most of the older procedures depended on various patterns of skin removal to maintain breast shape.
Over the years, it became apparent that in order to maintain breast shape the breast tissue itself required remodeling and the skin had little to do with maintaining shape. Now excellent long-term results can be produced with breast lift alone without implant placement. This procedure is called Brazilian Breast Lift.
Surprisingly, this operation is not very painful, your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn’t be severe. Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved with pain medications. Expect to have some wrinkling around the areola especially if the minimal scar breast lift is performed, this should improve and will take about 3 months. Although you will be up and walking the next day, most patient are able to return to work in about one week, some patients recover outstandingly well and have been able to return earlier, however the average is about a week. In order to resume any exercise programs or any heavy lifting, it may take 3-4 weeks, depending on how well you heal as an individual; the average is about 4 weeks.
After surgery, you’ll wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Within a few days, a soft support bra will replace the bandages or surgical bra. You’ll need to wear this bra around the clock for three to four weeks. The stitches will be removed after about 7-10 days. If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day. Be careful to keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas. There are some creams that can be used to help with healing (i.e. Scarguard, silicone strips, Vitamin E,& Reconstructive Cream); these you can start using after the sutures are removed.
If you would like to know more about this procedure, call our plastic surgery office. We look forward to your call.