Bandages
In order to heal properly, you will have to wear a special bandage on the treated area during approximately one week. It is uncomfortable and tight but, unfortunately, it is necessary. You will also have some flexible and thin drainage tubes applied, they will drain off excess fluids from the wounds to an airtight plastic bottle. These drainages help reduce the incidence of bruises.

Amount of pain
Moderate. Your physician will advice you to take analgesics every 6 or 8 hours; this will bring great relief to you.

Removal of the stitches
7 to 10 days after the surgery.

Bruises and swelling
The inflammation will reach its peak during the first three days, then it will diminish progressively during the following three or four weeks. Bear in mind that one breast may heal faster than the other, resulting in a temporary asymmetry.

Scars
The resulting scars will have a circular shape around the areola and an inverted T right below (also called anchor). The cross section of the T will coincide with the lower fold of the breast.

The circular scar will be the most discreet one, since it will be disguised by the outline of the areola.

The entire healing process may take between 6 and 9 months, during which the scars will turn from reddish to pink, and then to an almost imperceptible white.

Recovery
You will have to rest at the hotel during 48 hours. You will probably feel a burning sensation during the first days and discomfort when lifting your arms. From the fourth day onwards you may be able to return to your social life and job, only if does not require that you lift heavy objects. The surgeon will indicate you what kind of bra will you be able to use. You will be able to do physical exercise again 30 days after the surgery.

Some people may experience depression during the recovery period. This is very usual after any kind of surgery, regardless of its triviality. You may even feel that you made a terrible mistake in deciding to have a surgery. But you shouldn't worry. Most of the people who today are happy and satisfied with the results of a surgery have also gone through that phase.

Possible risks and complications
It is very unlikely for this procedure to present any complications when performed by a qualified surgeon. However, every surgical procedure, regardless of its triviality, has some risks and we should always think of them as a possibility.

Adverse reactions to anesthesia.
Infections, although they very unusual if you take the antibiotics your physician will prescribe.

Asymmetry. Even though the surgeon marks very carefully the areas he is going to treat, there may be asymmetries in 1% of the cases, the most common one being the location of the nipples. In approximately 3% of the cases, keloids or hypertrophic scars (excessive scar tissue) may develop.

Dehiscence (the edges of the wound separate for some few millimeters long, before the healing process is fully completed) Usually, it tends to heal by itself. It is necessary to keep the wound clean and disinfected until it heals completely.

Permanent or temporary loss of sensibility in the nipple.

Pulmonary thrombosis. It happens very rarely, but if a blood clot travels through the bloodstream and reaches the lungs, it may cause a cardiopulmonary arrest. In order to prevent this from happening you should try to move your legs and leave the bed as soon as you can.The areola and nipple may suffer necrosis due to a poor blood flow. Even though the surgeon takes all the necessary precautions to prevent this from happening, it may happen anyway.

If you get pregnant after the surgery, your breasts will suffer the same changes that every women's breasts suffer during pregnancy.