What is the Recovery and Aftercare like After Breast Lift Surgery?

Recovery is an important part of the breast lift journey, giving your body, skin, and breast tissue time to heal and settle into their new shape. While most people can expect an average recovery period of around six weeks, the final results continue to develop gradually over the months that follow.

In the first few days after surgery, it’s normal for your breasts to feel sore, tender, and swollen. This discomfort typically eases as the days go by. Scars may also appear red or slightly swollen at first, but this is a natural part of the healing process. It can take up to three months for swelling to fully subside and for the final results of your breast lift to become visible.

Understanding what to expect during recovery — including what activities to avoid and how to care for your body — can help ensure a smoother, more comfortable healing process.

The First Days After a Breast Lift

In most cases, you’ll be able to go home on the same day as your breast lift surgery. Before you’re discharged, checks are carried out to ensure everything is progressing as expected. Once approved by the surgeon, you can continue your recovery at home.

It’s completely normal for your breasts to feel sore, tight, and swollen during the first few days. This discomfort usually eases gradually. To support healing and achieve the best possible outcome, it’s important to carefully follow your aftercare instructions, unless your surgeon advises otherwise.

If your breast lift was combined with breast augmentation, you may also be given additional aftercare guidance specific to implants.

The First Days After a Breast Lift

If your breast lift was combined with breast augmentation, you may also be given additional aftercare guidance specific to implants.

Supportive Bra: Essential for Healing

You’ll need to wear a supportive sports or compression bra continuously for up to six weeks after surgery, removing it only for showering. Proper support is vital during recovery, so the bra should fit snugly without being too loose. You’ll usually be advised to bring the recommended bra with you on the day of surgery.

Pain Management and Medication

Some discomfort is expected after surgery. If needed, you can take paracetamol and any pain relief prescribed by your surgeon. If you experience severe pain, increasing swelling, or a feeling of pressure on one side, it’s important to seek medical advice promptly.

If you were taking regular medication before surgery, such as blood thinners, you should only resume these after discussing it with your surgeon.

Drains and Wound Care

In some cases, you may go home with surgical drains. These are usually removed the following day. While drains are in place, you must not shower. Once they’ve been removed, you can usually shower briefly after a few days, following your surgeon’s guidance.

Avoid Alcohol and Smoking

Smoking has a negative effect on blood circulation, which is essential for proper wound healing. For this reason, it’s strongly recommended to stop smoking before and after surgery. Continuing to smoke can slow recovery and negatively affect scar healing.

Alcohol should be avoided for at least the first week after surgery, as it increases the risk of bleeding.

Do Not Drive After Surgery

You should not drive yourself home after your breast lift. Arrange for someone to collect you and stay with you if possible. Driving is usually discouraged for around two weeks following surgery, or until you’re comfortable and cleared to do so.

Rest, But Keep Moving Gently

For the first 10 to 14 days, rest is crucial. Avoid heavy lifting, housework, and strenuous activity. Having someone nearby to help with daily tasks such as cooking or dressing can make recovery much easier.

That said, complete inactivity isn’t advised. Gentle movement, such as short walks, helps maintain circulation and reduces the risk of blood clots.

During early recovery, avoid lifting or bending forward, raising your arms above shoulder height, pushing yourself up using your arms, and running, cycling, or other sports.

Walking and light arm movements within your comfort range are encouraged.

Showering and Bathing Guidelines

If you do not have drains, you may usually shower 24 hours after surgery, provided you feel well enough. If drains were used, showering should be delayed for a few days.

Baths, steam rooms, and saunas should be avoided for at least six weeks, as soaking can interfere with wound healing.

Sleeping Position Matters

For the first few weeks after a breast lift, you should avoid sleeping on your stomach or side. Sleeping on your back in a slightly elevated position helps reduce swelling and protects the healing tissues. Using extra pillows behind your back can help you stay comfortable.

Sleeping on your side or stomach should be avoided for around six weeks to protect your results.

Two Weeks Into Your Breast Lift Recovery

Around two weeks after your breast lift, you’ll usually attend a follow-up appointment to check how your healing is progressing and to ensure everything is developing as expected.

Stitches and Scar Care

At this stage, any remaining sutures are typically removed. You’ll also receive guidance on ongoing aftercare, including how to care for your scars and whether gentle scar massage is recommended.

Increasing Activity — With Care

By the two-week mark, you may start to feel more comfortable and able to do a little more. However, full recovery is still underway, so it’s important not to overdo things.

You may usually resume:

Driving, provided you feel comfortable and confident
Returning to work, depending on the physical demands of your job
Walking and gentle arm movements
Flying, if your recovery is progressing well

You should still avoid:

Sports or strenuous exercise
Removing your supportive sports bra permanently without medical advice
Heavy lifting
Taking baths
Using saunas, steam rooms, or sunbeds

Following these guidelines helps protect your results and supports continued healing as your body adjusts.

Six Weeks Into Breast Lift Recovery

By around six weeks after surgery, most people are well on their way to recovery. Swelling has usually reduced significantly, scars are settling, and the breasts begin to feel more natural. At this stage, many people are able to fully resume their normal daily routines.

While healing is well advanced, scar maturation continues for up to 12 months. During this time, scars may gradually fade and soften. Protecting them from sun exposure is important, as UV light can permanently affect scar colour and thickness.

Returning to Exercise and Sports

After six weeks, you can usually begin exercising again. Physical activity supports overall health, and returning to movement can feel especially rewarding after a period of rest.

Activities such as gym workouts, swimming, cycling, and running are generally safe to resume, as long as they feel comfortable and do not cause pain. Start gradually, listen to your body, and increase intensity at a pace that feels right for you.

Final Results and Long-Term Healing

Around three months after a breast lift, healing is usually well advanced and the final results are becoming more apparent. Recovery timelines mentioned throughout the process are averages, and it’s important to remember that everyone heals at a different pace.

Many people notice the benefits of their breast lift relatively early on, including improved breast shape and position. Some also experience reduced strain on the neck, shoulders, and back as a result of better breast support and balance.

Scar healing continues long after the initial recovery period. Scars often change colour over time, gradually fading from red or purple to a lighter shade. This process can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months, and in some cases longer, before scars soften and become far less noticeable.

If at any point you’re unsure about your recovery or whether a particular activity is appropriate, it’s always best to seek professional advice for reassurance and guidance.