Breast Lift

Preparation for Breast Lift Surgery

Proper preparation is key to ensure a safe procedure and smooth recovery after breast lift surgery.

Before Surgery:

• Inform your surgeon about any allergies, serious medical conditions, and all medications you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription).
• Stop taking aspirin at least 2 days before surgery.
• Stop using vitamin E oil 1 day before surgery.
• Stop smoking at least 2 days before surgery and continue to avoid for 1 month after surgery.
• Plan to fast (no food or water) from midnight before surgery.
• Wear a shirt with front buttons on the day of surgery for comfort during recovery.
• The surgeon will explain the procedure details, surgical technique, location of operation, and realistic outcomes.
• Plan to stay in Thailand for at least 10 days after surgery.

Prepare comfortable clothing to wear after hospital discharge. A medical gown will be provided before entering the operating theater.

What to Bring on Your Breast Lift Surgery Day

Please bring the following items with you:

• Your photo ID

• Loose, comfortable clothing, such as a zip-up or button-down top

• Your post-surgery bra (provided by the surgeon or bring your own if a specific brand is recommended)

Prepare at Home or at Your Hotel

• Have extra pillows ready, as you may need to sleep in an elevated position

• Keep your medications and water within easy reach

• Wear or pack loose, front-opening tops for comfort after surgery

• Avoid childcare or strenuous activities for at least seven days after surgery to allow proper recovery

There are a lot of available surgical techniques based on the degree of ptosis, the areola, nipple position, breast volume, and the volume of excessive skin.

During breast lift surgery, the surgeon makes an incision which is usually in a keyhole pattern ¦ a circle around the areola and two incisions down the breast which will be closed to make one line. The surgeon after that re-positions the nipple and areola to a higher placement and eliminates excessive skin from beneath the breast.

Closing the rest of the skin lifts the breast mound to a higher placement and reshapes the breast. No breast tissue is removed, which means you will remain the same size, although your breasts will look bigger as the skin is tightened.

Some patients, especially those, who have small breasts and minimal sagging may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions.

For example, one such procedure is the "doughnut (or concentric) breast lift," in which circular incisions are made around the areola, and a doughnut-shaped area of skin is removed. If patients having an implant inserted along with their breast lift, the surgeon will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue or deeper under the muscle of the chest wall.

In case you (the patient) choose, a breast implant can be positioned at the same time (see breast augmentation). Sutures close the incisions.

Post-Operative Care - Breast Lift Surgery

After your breast lift surgery, your breasts will be wrapped in an elastic bandage, gauze dressings, or a surgical bra to provide gentle support and help minimize swelling. A small drainage tube may be placed in each breast for the first night to remove excess blood or fluid.

The amount of post-operative swelling and bruising varies among patients and depends on individual healing tendencies. If you have undergone previous surgeries, your past recovery experience can serve as a helpful reference.

During the first few days, you may experience soreness or discomfort, which can be effectively managed with prescribed pain medication.

Swelling and skin discoloration around the incision areas usually subside within a few days. Temporary numbness or changes in nipple and breast skin sensation are also common and typically improve over time as healing continues.

Sutures are usually removed 7 to 10 days after surgery.

Scars will remain visible for several months and may appear more prominent during the first year. Over time, they will gradually fade and soften. Since the incisions are made around and below the nipples, the scars are generally not noticeable, even when wearing low-cut clothing.

It is also normal for there to be slight differences between the breasts after surgery, as no two breasts are naturally identical in size or shape.

Please keep in mind that final breast lift results take time. Some swelling, firmness, and minor asymmetry are completely normal in the early stages of healing, and your breasts will continue to settle into their natural shape over the next few months.

Breast lift surgery's recovery timeline.

• Day 1 - Consultation, medical health check ups and preparation
• Day 2 - Surgery and one night in hospital private room after surgery (Swelling, bruising, mild to moderate discomfort able to managed with pain meds)
• Day 3 - Discharge from hospital after your doctor visit
• Day 3 - Check in hotel afternoon
• Day 3 to Day 12 - Stay in hotel for recovery period and follow up by doctor appointments (stitches remove day 7 to day 10 after surgery date)
  Day 12 - Stitches removal and final check up
  Day 12 - Safe to fly

• You are required to stay in hospital private room one night and wear a compression bandage or a special surgical support bra. If a drain is introduced during the surgery. It is remove within 24 hours or before discharge from hospital. The stitches are remove in 7-10 days after the surgery.
• While you are recovery in hotel. Within a few days you can shower. Every two to three days, you will come for follow up by appointments at Preecha Aesthetic Institute. All transportation services are included from package breast lift. But hotels must be within driving distance or within 2 KM from PAI’s.
• You will be able to resume everyday activities after seven days but must avoid lifting objects over the head or making fast movements during the first 4 to 6 weeks. If you have small children who require a lot of lifting, you need to plan an additional help during the initial recovery period.

For local’s patient – You may resume to work after a few days but must avoid heavy lifting object over the head or fast movement during 4-8 weeks after surgery date.

For international patient – Please plan to be in Bangkok at least 10 days after breast lift. Stitches will remove within 7-10 days after surgery date. After departure from Thailand, you may resume to work within a few days but must avoid heavy lifting object over the head or fast movement during 4-8 weeks after surgery date.

◊ Any bruising and swelling will usually dissipate within 2–3 months.

General Guideline: Desk Job - Off work: 7 days

• You may feel tired, sore or swollen. But can usually return to light tasks within a week
• Avoid heavy lifting, reaching overhead or intense movement for several weeks.

Physically Job (Lifting, Bending, Movement) - Off work: 3 to 4 weeks

• Avoid straining your chest muscles to prevent complications like wound opening or delay healing
• Full movement usually after 5 to 7 weeks or depending on surgeon advice

Heavy Lifting and Exercise: avoid chest workouts, weight lifting and strenuous activity 5-6 weeks