Having a baby, age and the effects of rapid weight loss can all cause a woman’s breasts to change position and size over time. As we age our skin loses some of its elasticity and this looser skin can cause the tissue that makes up the breast to settle lower on a woman’s chest than when she was younger. The effects of childbirth and nursing can also impact the size and position of a woman’s breast and may leave them positioned lower and less full than before. A simple breast lift procedure is designed to remove some of this excess skin and reposition the breast tissue and the breasts themselves to a slightly higher and more normal position on the chest.
Unlike a breast augmentation, a breast lift doesn’t always involve the use of implants; the surgeon simple adjusts the position of the breast slightly higher. A woman does have the option of combining a breast lift with an augmentation procedure if needed and both of these together can produce an amazing transformation for most patients. A breast lift can be done at almost any age but most women wait until after they have given birth to have the procedure.
Dr. Sadati has been doing both breast lifts and breast augmentation for some time in Orange County and has many satisfied patients in Newport Beach. He also offers several options for the procedure which allows him to vary the technique he uses to match the patient. This thoughtful approach to helping his patients ensures that they receive the best of care and has made Dr. Sadati one of the premiere cosmetic surgeons in Orange County. Since every patient’s needs and body type are different, Dr. Sadati will take the time required to help a patient decide what type of breast lift or breast augmentation might be right for them. This helps them achieve the look they desire that also compliments their body style.
Most breast lift procedures take less than three hours if an implant is used and are done under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The recovery period varies based on the amount and type of surgery but you can start to return to normal activities in a few days. The total healing process may take a few weeks during which you can start to engage in more strenuous activities as your doctor advises.
What to Expect during recovery:
As you heal:
Healing: How quickly and easily you will heal depends on a number of factors such as your genetic background, your overall state of health and lifestyle (exercise, diet, smoking, drinking, etc…). Many people believe your doctor is solely responsible for the healing process, but no one person can make another heal. Dr. Sadati can facilitate (but not accelerate) your healing but you must also take an active role in that process. Your cooperation and close attention is extremely important when it comes to your post-operative healing.
Another important factor in the course of healing is how well you follow the instructions that are given to you by Dr. Sadati. You will receive verbal instructions as well as written instructions after surgery and it is imperative that you follow those instructions. We set those guidelines for you to promote your healing process and to prevent the occurrence of any complications that can interfere with your recovery. It is crucial that you recognize that you are a partner in this process and have a responsibility to follow instructions carefully. The instructions we give you are designed to give you the best opportunity for healing without delay or surprise.
Your first 48 hours:
Bra: You will be sent home wearing a support bra and you will need to wear that bra for 4 weeks following your surgery. Your bra should be washed and dried daily to avoid infection. You may buy your own sports bra and wear that as well as long as it is snug-fitting or we have bras available for purchase for $20. It is imperative that you do not wear under wire bras during this time.
Dressing: There are self-dissolving sutures in your incisions that do not need to be removed. You should shower daily, but DO NOT SOAK IN THE BATHTUB, fully submerging your incisions in water will greatly increase your risk of infection. There will be skin glue on top of your incisions, it is purple and should not be scrubbed off or picked at, it will come off on its own in approximately 2 weeks.
If you are going home, a family member or friend must drive you because you have been sedated. If you choose to stay overnight in our guest suite you must have an adult caregiver to stay with you or a caregiver can be provided for an additional fee.
Activity: Take it easy and pamper yourself. Try to avoid any straining. You may go to the bathroom, try to get up and move a little every hour, but take it easy. No matter how good you feel please do not do any strenuous activities or lifting. We do not want you to bleed and cause any more swelling and bruising that is unavoidable. Do not lift anything more than 10 lbs for the first two weeks.
Ice packs: We recommend using cold or ice packs for the first 48 hours to help reduce swelling, bruising, and pain. Use frozen peas in the package or crush ice cubes and the ice into a zip-lock bag. Using ice after your procedure should help, not hurt so if the ice feels too uncomfortable don’t use it as often. Leave the ice in place no longer than 20 minutes per area.
Diet: If you have any post-operative nausea, carbonated sodas and dry crackers may help settle your stomach. If nausea is severe, use the Zofran sublingual you were prescribed. If you feel normal, start with liquids and bland foods, and if those are well tolerated, progress slowly back to your regular diet.
Alcohol: Alcohol dilates the blood vessels and could increase post-operative bleeding. Please do not drink until you have stopped taking the prescription pain pills, as the combination of pain pills and alcohol can be dangerous.
Smoking: Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict and may interfere with normal wound healing. When blood vessels constrict there is less blood supply that can get to the wound which means less oxygen for normal healing to take place. Smoking may adversely affect wound healing and cause loss of skin and tissue death. Smoking reduces arterial (blood) oxygen supply which is necessary for normal wound healing. Exposure to second hand smoke has also been implicated in delayed or abnormal wound healing. It is best to avoid smoking and/or exposure to second hand smoke in the post-operative period while your incisions are healing. You should also avoid cigarette replacements such as nicotine gum, patches or the inhaler during your post-operative period as these have similar effects as smoking and second hand smoke.
Driving: Please do not drive while taking prescription pain pills. Please be advised that all medications may impair judgment and the ability to drive or operate heavy machinery
How to Care for Your Scars After Surgery
Our practice is dedicated to making your entire surgical experience enjoyable. Healing is the great variable! The same procedure can be performed on a thousand different patients using the same surgeon, tools, and approach. Even with these constants, some scars will heal better than others. Incision care post-operatively can increase the appearance of your scar. We are dedicated to utilizing evidence based practice in providing you with the most up-to-date information, to ensure you get the results you are looking for.
What can you do to improve the appearance of your scars? In the initial stage post-operatively, do not pick at the area, or rub abrasively. There may be skin glue along your incision. This can last for two to several weeks post-operatively. It will begin to slowly come off on its own. Nearly all sutures are self dissolving. Keeping the self dissolving sutures moist with Vaseline will help them dissolve faster. After the skin glue is off and the area is fully closed, a scar cream needs to be applied to improve the color and appearance of the incision. Maintaining a well balanced diet with an emphasis of Vitamin E and C will prepare your body for healing.
What scar cream to use? We recommend over the counter scar creams (Kelocote, Dermatix, etc.). Kelocote is a good product for scars on the hands or face. Dermatix is recommended for larger incisions on the body, such as those from breast augmentations, breast lifts/reductions, tummy tucks, and brachioplasties. Dermatix, from Valeant Pharmaceuticals is a transparent, self-drying silicone gel that will significantly reduce the appearance of scars. Dermatix flattens, softens and smoothes scars, relieving the itching and discomfort, as well as reducing discoloration.
Variation in healing? There are many factors that go into how a person will scar. A few examples include age, location, genetics, and lifestyle. Exercising, eating a well-balanced diet, and abstaining from smoking all assist in healthy blood flow, which ultimately plays a significant role in scar healing. Our practice would like to give you the information and products that you need to have the very best results possible.
Family and Friends: Support from your family and friends is very helpful during your recovery. But because they may not understand what is normal in your post-operative care, their comments may unintentionally create emotional turmoil for you. You can trust that we will tell you honestly how your progress is and what we expect your results to be. Please trust in our knowledge and experience when we evaluate your progress. We know it is difficult not to compare your recovery with other people you may know who also had cosmetic surgery, but it’s imperative to remember progress varies greatly patient to patient and everyone has a different recovery experience.
Cosmetic surgery has certainly become less taboo in the past decade, but your friends may still be reluctant to bring it up and discuss it because they think it may be a private matter to you. Patients occasionally feel upset that “no one noticed” or “said anything.” If you are comfortable discussing your cosmetic procedure then you should do so openly. When people ask how you are, respond saying “I feel wonderful. I just had cosmetic surgery and I’m recovering.” This lets people know that they may talk freely with you. Often if you will open up about your procedure you will find that your friends and acquaintances are very interested in discussing it with you.
One potential drawback after surgery that can take places is that quite frequently patients experience a very brief period of “let down” or depression after cosmetic surgery. Some may subconsciously have expected to instantly look and feel better, even though they rationally understand that this will not be the case. You will be told what to expect during your recovery but the incisions can still come as a shock sometimes to see the initial results. Patients commonly question their decision to have surgery during the first few days after surgery because it’s hard to imagine the incisions once they are healed and everything has settled into place. As the healing occurs, these thoughts usually disappear quickly. If you feel depressed, understanding that this is a “natural” phase of the healing process and that the final outcome will be much different than what it looks like right after your procedure may help you to cope with any emotional “let down” you may feel initially.
