Breast Uplift (Mastopexy) Aftercare
General recovery guidance for breast uplift (mastopexy) based on Waterfront Private Hospital's written aftercare information. This online guide should be used alongside the official leaflet and the specific instructions given to you by your surgical team.
When to get help — your traffic light guide
Call 999 or go to A&E now if you have:
These can be life-threatening. Do not wait to call the hospital first.
- •Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain
- •Leg swelling with breathing problems (possible blood clot)
- •Heavy bleeding that won't stop
- •High temperature (over 38°C) with confusion or unusual drowsiness
Contact us now — do not wait — if you have:
- •Temperature over 38°C with severe pain
- •One breast suddenly much larger than the other
Office hours (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm): 0131 376 3785
Evenings and weekends during your early recovery: Out-of-Hours Nurse Advice Line 07405322689 — our nurse can advise you, contact your surgeon, or direct you to NHS services.
After your early recovery period: call the hospital in office hours, or NHS 24 on 111.
Had your surgery at Spire Shawfair Park (overnight stay)? Contact Spire directly using the number on your discharge paperwork — not the Waterfront advice line.
Tell us at your next appointment:
Anything else that is niggling or worrying you — no concern is too small. Mention it at your next appointment, or call us during office hours.
Emergency Contacts
Life-threatening emergency
999Urgent medical advice
NHS 24: 111
Out-of-Hours Nurse Advice Line
For the first days after your surgery only
07405322689Our nurse can advise you, contact your surgeon, or direct you to NHS services. Waterfront is a day surgery hospital and is closed overnight. Once your early recovery period is over, please call the hospital during office hours instead. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.
Had your surgery at Spire Shawfair Park (overnight stay)? Contact Spire directly using the number on your discharge paperwork — not the Waterfront advice line.
| Contact Type | Contact |
|---|---|
| Life-threatening emergency | 999 |
| Urgent medical advice | NHS 24: 111 |
| Hospital Office Hours (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm) | 0131 376 3785 |
| Out-of-Hours Nurse Advice Line (for the first days after your surgery only) | 07405322689 Our nurse can advise you, contact your surgeon, or direct you to NHS services. Waterfront is a day surgery hospital and is closed overnight. Once your early recovery period is over, please call the hospital during office hours instead. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999. Had your surgery at Spire Shawfair Park (overnight stay)? Contact Spire directly using the number on your discharge paperwork — not the Waterfront advice line. |
| hello@waterfronthospital.co.uk |
Reviewed 4 July 2026 · v1.0
Your information leaflets
Related Information Leaflets
These are separate information leaflets about the procedure itself — not the aftercare instructions below.
How to Use This Information
The advice below is based on Waterfront Private Hospital's written breast uplift aftercare leaflet. It is general guidance for the average patient and may be adapted by your consultant for your individual circumstances.
Always follow the specific instructions given to you on the day of your surgery and in your printed leaflet. If there is ever a difference, follow your consultant's written or verbal instructions and contact us for clarification.
Before You Leave the Hospital
- Painkillers: Make sure you have your painkillers before you leave — the nurse looking after you will go through them with you.
- Support Bra: Your support bra will be fitted before you leave, or information provided on where to purchase one. It should be soft, seamless, with no underwire and adjustable straps.
- Follow-up appointment: You will be given a card with details of your first nurse appointment (end of week 1) and contact details for the ward if you have any concerns once you get home.
- Getting home safely: You must have someone to take you home and a responsible adult with you for the first night.
Support Bra Information
A well-fitting support bra is essential for comfort during recovery, especially in the first 3 months.
Must have:
- No underwire
- Front opening (not over-head style)
- Adjustable straps
- Soft, seamless fabric
- Where to buy:
- High Street: M&S, Tesco, Asda
- Specialist Online: Macom Signature Bra, Lipoelastic PI Ideal, Lipoelastic PI Relax (use code QUABA for discount)
Your Painkillers
Every medicine you go home with is clearly labelled with its dose and how often to take it, and your nurse will go through your painkillers with you before you leave.
Take them as directed on the label. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can safely be taken together. If your pain isn't controlled despite taking your painkillers as directed, contact us.
Return to Activities Timeline
- Driving: Weeks 1–2 — When off strong painkillers and can do emergency stop
- Office work: Week 2 — As comfortable
- Physical work: Weeks 2–3 — Start gradually
- Gentle exercise: Week 4 — Wear support bra
- Full exercise: Week 6 — Build up slowly
- Swimming: Weeks 4–6 — When wounds fully healed
- Flying (short): 1–2 weeks — Under 3 hours
- Flying (long): 2–3 weeks — Wear compression stockings
Do These Things
✓ Do These Things
- ✓ Walk regularly from day 1
- ✓ Wear your support bra — day and night for the first ~3 months, then during the day
- ✓ Sleep in any comfortable position
- ✓ Shower (can get dressings wet)
- ✓ Eat healthy foods with fibre
- ✓ Drink plenty of water
- ✓ Keep follow-up appointments
- ✓ Ask questions if worried
Avoid These Things
✗ Avoid These Things
- ✗ Smoking for at least 2 weeks
- ✗ Alcohol for 3 weeks
- ✗ Heavy lifting for 4 weeks
- ✗ Underwired bras for 3 months
- ✗ Soaking in bath for 2 weeks
- ✗ Swimming until wounds healed
- ✗ Strenuous exercise for 6 weeks
Scar Care Guide
When to Start: Week 5 (after 1 month) - Only if wounds are completely healed
Your Scar Care Routine
Step 1: Apply Micropore Tape — Use 3M micropore tape from pharmacy
Step 2: Remove and Moisturise — Use plain moisturiser like E45 or Aveeno
Step 3: Repeat — Continue cycle for 4+ months
- Step 1: Leave on for 3–5 days
- Step 1: Can shower with it on
- Step 2: Leave scars exposed 1–2 days
- Scar Timeline — 3 months: Scars still pink/red
- Scar Timeline — 6 months: Significant fading
- Scar Timeline — 12 months: Final appearance
Recovery Timeline
What's Normal
- •Pain and discomfort (often less than expected)
- •Swelling and tightness
- •Bruising
- •Some blood spotting on dressings
- •Numbness around nipples
- •Mood changes
Your Care Routine
- •Take painkillers as directed
- •Wear your support bra day and night
- •Sleep in any comfortable position
- •Walk around your home regularly
- •Shower carefully (it's OK if outer dressings get wet)
Pain Management
- •Take painkillers regularly as prescribed
- •Don't wait until pain is severe
- •One side may hurt more than the other - this is normal
- •Paracetamol and ibuprofen as directed
Follow-Up Appointments
Week 1 Nurse Appointment
Assessment of healing, outer dressings removed, and answers to questions.
- Outer dressings removed
- Wounds checked
- Questions answered
- Paper tape (steri-strips) usually left on
Further nurse reviews — as needed
You are likely to have further nurse reviews — wound healing after this procedure often benefits from more than one visit. The nurses will arrange these with you and will discharge you from nurse-led care once they are happy your wounds have healed.
Around 6 months — surgeon review (final follow-up)
Your surgeon will usually see you at around 6 months to assess your final result. Your surgeon is always available to review you sooner if required, and in some circumstances may wish to see you before your final follow-up.
Note: Your appointment schedule may vary. Always follow the specific dates and times given in your appointment card. Contact us if you need to reschedule.
Source: hospital aftercare leaflet · Last reviewed: 4 July 2026 · Version 1.0
Your emotional recovery
How you feel matters too
An emotional dip in the first weeks after surgery is common and usually passes. We've written honestly about what to expect, what helps, and where to find support.
Post-Operative Checklist
- Make sure you have your painkillers — the nurse looking after you will go through them with you
- Support bra fitted or information provided
- Follow-up nurse appointment booked (end of week 1)
- Transport home arranged
- Responsible adult staying with you first night
- Emergency contact numbers saved in phone
- Understand wound care instructions
Wound Care Instructions
- Shower carefully (it's OK if outer dressings get wet)
- Outer dressings removed at Week 1 nurse appointment
- Paper tape (steri-strips) usually left on
- Remove paper tape by end of week 2 (if stuck, apply Vaseline, wait 30 minutes, then remove)
- Can moisturise scars if wounds dry (Week 5+) with plain moisturiser
- Watch for signs of infection
- Do not soak in bath for 2 weeks
Pain Management
- Take your painkillers as directed on their labels — every medicine you go home with is labelled with its dose and frequency, and your nurse will go through them with you before you leave. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can safely be taken together
- Take painkillers regularly as prescribed - don't wait until pain is severe
- Avoid alcohol with painkillers
- One side may hurt more than the other - this is normal
- Swelling typically peaks at 48–72 hours then gradually improves
- Supportive bra helps reduce discomfort
Activity Restrictions
- No heavy lifting for 4 weeks
- No driving for first week or until off strong painkillers and can perform emergency stop comfortably
- Walk regularly from day 1
- Light household activities OK after day 1
- Light physical work: Weeks 2–3
- Gentle exercise: Week 4 (wear support bra)
- Full exercise: Week 6 (build up slowly)
- Swimming: Weeks 4–6 (when wounds fully healed)
- Smoking: Avoid for at least 2 weeks
- Alcohol: Avoid for 3 weeks
- No strenuous exercise for 6 weeks
FAQs
Is it normal for one breast to hurt more?
Yes, this is very common. Each side heals at its own pace and pain levels can vary between the two sides.
When will my breasts look normal?
Most swelling goes by 4 weeks. Final shape takes 6 months. They will drop and soften gradually. Most swelling is gone within the first 3–4 weeks.
Can I sleep on my side?
Yes, sleep however is comfortable from day one. There are no restrictions on sleeping position.
What are shooting pains?
These are nerves reconnecting - completely normal and a good sign of healing. They typically occur around weeks 3–4 and are a positive indicator of recovery.
When can I go braless?
Short periods after 3 months. As a guide: day and night for the first 3 months, then during the day up to about 6 months. These are typical timings rather than strict rules — your team will tailor them to you.
Is delayed healing serious?
Usually not. It's common at T-junctions (where incisions meet). Contact your nurse for different dressings if needed. Most delayed areas catch up with time.
When can I return to work?
Office-based work: Week 2. Physical work: Weeks 2–3, starting gradually. Your surgeon will confirm the timeline for your specific situation.
How long should I wear the support bra?
First 3 months: Day and night. 3–6 months: During the day. After 6 months: As comfortable. Look for soft, seamless, no underwire styles.
What should I do about scars?
Week 5+: Start scar care with micropore tape (3–5 days) followed by moisturiser. Repeat for 4+ months. Scars continue fading over 12 months.
When can I drive?
Weeks 1–2 is safe when you're off strong painkillers and can comfortably perform an emergency stop. Check with your insurance company about your coverage.
Download Guide
Download Breast Uplift PDFPDF, 63 KB
Need Help?
Emergency Contact
Life-threatening emergencies:
999After-Hours Advice Line (Post-Surgery Patients Only):
07405322689For advice only. Day surgery hospital - closed overnight. For emergencies, call 999.
General inquiries:
0131 376 3785For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 immediately. For urgent medical advice, call NHS 24 on 111.