Expectations after surgery:

After breast lift surgery, a bulky gauze dressing will be wrapped around your breasts and chest, or you might wear a surgical bra. You can control your pain with medication. It should subside in 2 - 4 days.

After a breast reduction, you'll probably need to stay in the hospital overnight to control pain and nausea. Within the first week, the dressing will be replaced by a soft bra, which you must wear for several weeks.

Generally, within a few days, the swelling and discoloration around the incisions will disappear. You may have a temporary loss of sensation in the breast skin and nipples after surgery. This condition will improve with time. Within 2 weeks of surgery, sutures will be removed.

You are likely to have a very good outcome from breast reduction surgery. Your appearance and lifestyle activities can be significantly enhanced. Also, the pain or skin symptoms (such as striation) disappear. You may need to wear a special supporting bra for a few months to reshape your breasts.

Convalescence:

While you are healing, limit physical activities to prevent the scars from stretching. You might be able to do some activity within 1 - 2 days after surgery. The plastic surgeon will recommend a schedule for resuming your usual routine (usually about 8 weeks). To permit proper healing, avoid overhead lifting for 3 - 4 weeks.

Scars are permanent and often remain highly visible for a year following surgery, then fade to some degree. The doctor will make every effort to place the incisions so that scars are as hidden as possible. The scars should not be noticeable, even in low-cut clothing (incisions are usually made on the underside of the breast).