What side effects can I expect after breast lift surgery?

Following breast lift surgery, a range of physical changes and side effects are to be expected as the body begins to heal. These are usually temporary and form a normal part of the recovery process. However, knowing what is typical can help you feel more prepared and identify when something may require further medical attention.
Common side effects include:

• Swelling: it’s normal for the breasts to swell after surgery, particularly during the first few weeks. Swelling usually peaks within the first few days and then begins to gradually reduce over time.
• Bruising: some discolouration around the chest and incision areas is to be expected and should fade within two to three weeks.
• Mild to moderate discomfort: you may feel soreness or tenderness in the breasts. This can often be managed with over-the-counter or prescribed pain relief.
• Tightness in the chest: as the skin and tissues adjust to their new position, a feeling of tightness is common and typically eases over time.
• Temporary changes in sensation: some people notice numbness, tingling or reduced sensitivity in the nipples or surrounding skin. These changes in nipple sensation often improve within a few months, but in some cases, they may be long-lasting.
• Scarring: some scarring is expected after a breast lift, although the extent and appearance will vary depending on the technique used and how your body heals. Scars usually fade and flatten over several months, but they may remain visible to some extent.

What is the typical aftercare process?

After a breast lift surgical procedure, proper aftercare will support the healing process, reduce the risk of complications and help you achieve the best possible outcome. The surgeon should provide detailed guidance tailored to your needs, particularly during the initial recovery period, which usually spans the first few weeks following surgery.

Typical aftercare steps include:

• Wearing a supportive surgical bra: this helps to reduce swelling, support the breast tissue as it heals and maintain the new shape. You may be advised to wear this continuously for several weeks.
• Taking prescribed medication: pain medication may be needed to manage discomfort in the early stages. You may be prescribed medication or advised on over-the-counter options depending on the level of pain.
• Avoiding strenuous activity: activities that involve heavy lifting, bending or vigorous movement should be avoided for several weeks. These can strain the incision sites and interfere with healing.
• Caring for the incision areas: you’ll be instructed on how to keep the incision sites clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection. Dressing changes may also be required in some cases.
• Attending follow-up appointments: these are part of your surgeon’s duty of care and allow them to assess your healing progress, identify any early signs of complications and adjust your aftercare plan if needed.
• Monitoring for signs of infection or unusual changes: your surgeon should advise you to look out for symptoms of infection or unexpected outcomes and to report these promptly.
• Maintain a healthy weight: staying at a steady weight during the healing process helps reduce strain on the healing tissue, supports even scar formation and protects the final breast lift results from being affected by sudden changes in breast volume.

The surgeon performing the procedure must support your recovery by monitoring healing, offering appropriate advice, and being available to respond to concerns. You should also be informed about when and how to safely return to everyday activities, including exercise and work, based on how your body responds during the initial recovery period.

What are the signs something went wrong?

While some discomfort is normal after breast lift surgery, certain symptoms may indicate that something has gone wrong. It’s important to know what to watch for so that you can contact your surgeon immediately if anything seems unusual. Early intervention may help prevent more serious complications.

Signs that may suggest a problem include:

• Swelling that worsens instead of improving: swelling should gradually reduce over time. If it becomes more pronounced or spreads, this could be a sign of infection or fluid build-up.
• Redness, warmth or increased sensitivity around the incision sites: these symptoms may indicate infection, especially if accompanied by fever or general unwellness.
• Unusual discharge or a foul smell from the wound: any pus-like discharge or odour coming from the incisions should be reported to your surgeon immediately.
• Severe pain that doesn’t ease with medication: while some discomfort is expected, pain that worsens or fails to improve over time may signal an issue that needs investigation.
• Asymmetry in the breasts: noticeable differences in size, shape or nipple position might suggest poor surgical planning, complications during healing, or implant movement if implants were involved.
• Unexpected or inappropriate scarring: if the scarring is more extensive than described before surgery or appears in unexpected locations, this could indicate that the wound has not healed properly.
• Breasts healing in a distorted shape: a misshapen appearance may suggest a surgical error or complications like tissue damage or fluid accumulation.
• Rashes, itching or difficulty breathing: these could point to an allergic reaction, possibly to medication, dressings or anaesthetics used during the procedure.

How can I tell if something went wrong because of negligence?

Not all complications following breast lift surgery are the result of negligence. Some risks are known and accepted as part of the surgical procedure. However, negligence may be present if your surgeon failed to meet their duty of care at any stage - before, during or after surgery.

Examples of negligence may include:

• Failing to assess your suitability for surgery: if the surgeon did not properly evaluate your health, skin condition or breast tissue, and you were not a suitable candidate, any resulting complications may be due to poor judgement.
• Not explaining the risks or realistic outcomes beforehand: patients must be fully informed of potential complications, likely scarring and what to realistically expect from the results. If these were not discussed, the consent process may have been inadequate.
• Using improper surgical techniques: mistakes made during the procedure, such as poor implant placement or inappropriate use of sutures, may lead to deformities or uneven results.
• Failing to identify or act on complications during follow-up: if signs of infection, implant shifting or tissue damage were present but ignored or not escalated for medical attention, this may be considered negligent.