After your surgery, you will have drains in place to drain fluid from the surgical site.  The drains will be removed when drainage has slowed or stopped.  For the first one to two weeks, your abdomen will likely be swollen.  Discomfort will be controlled by medication.  You will have a gauze dressing on your abdomen, covered by an abdominal compression garment.  Patients typically wear this for 6 weeks.  Sutures are removed at approximately ten days.

You may expect to go back to work within one to two weeks, depending on the level of activity required for your job.  During the first three to six months your incision will be pink and raised.  It may take up to one year before your scars flatten and fade.

A mastopexy or breast lift is also performed under general anaesthesia, and the procedure usually takes three hours.  Dr. Niessen uses an anchor-shaped incision following the contour of the breast, or an incision around the edge of the areola.   A mastopexy does leave scars, although they are usually covered by your bra or bathing suit.

Post-operatively, you will have a supportive dressing.  Your breasts will be swollen for 5-7 days.  You will be given a prescription for a pain medication.  Within 7-10 days, your dressing will be removed and you will be able to wear a bra.

Although you may be active in a day or two, you may be off work for a week, depending on the level of activity required for your job. Patients should avoid lifting anything over their head and playing strenuous sports for two weeks.  After that, you may resume your normal activities.