Case #1402
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
36-year-old female 3 months after breast lift with Galaflex.
Pre-op preparation
What to do before surgery. Specific to this case.
- Stop NSAIDs, aspirin, and high-dose fish oil two weeks before surgery; the surgical team provides a full medication list at the pre-op visit.
- Nicotine in any form — cigarettes, vapes, patches, gum — paused six weeks before and six weeks after surgery. Nicotine narrows blood vessels and slows wound healing.
- Front-closing clothing only for 3 weeks. Drain holders and supportive surgical bras are issued at discharge.
- Day-of transport and an overnight companion (24 hours minimum) are required for discharge.
Recovery timeline
Milestones specific to this case. Individual recovery varies.
- Day 1–7
Light activity, hydration, and elevation. Expect peak swelling between days 3 and 5, then a gradual easing through the end of the week.
- Week 2
Patients off prescription pain medication, walking 1–2 miles daily, and back to most light household activity.
- Week 4
Most patients back to gym cardio at 50 percent intensity. Scar massage protocol begins. Driving restored if not already.
- Week 6
Standard clearance milestone. Patients return to most exercise, gym work, and sleeping in any position.
- Month 3
Shape is 80–90 percent of final. Scars are still pink and will continue to lighten through month 12.
Continued care
Recommended aftercare, skincare, and MedSpa services for Breast Lift (Mastopexy).
- Compression bra continuously for 6 weeks
- Sleep elevated on your back for the first 2 weeks
- No upper-body resistance training for 6 weeks
- Scar management protocol at 3 weeks (anchor or lollipop pattern)
- Medical-grade silicone sheeting on the full incision pattern
- SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic for scar healing
- SPF 50+ on incisions for 12 months
- Fractional laser along the vertical and inframammary scars after 3 months
- LED light therapy weekly for the first 8 weeks
- Lymphatic massage starting week 2
- Skincare
Sun avoidance and SPF protocol extended through month 12 to minimize scar hyperpigmentation.
Younger skin pigments scars more reliably under sun exposure.
