Breast Lift
Also known as a “mastopexy”, a breast lift is a surgical procedure that changes the shape of your breasts. During a breast lift, excess skin is removed and breast tissue is reshaped to raise the breasts.
Common reasons women choose breast lift surgery:
To restore a better breast shape following pregnancy. Pregnancy can bring some unwelcome changes to the breasts, such as sagging breasts, stretched abdominal muscles, and loose, excess skin. A breast lift, with or without implants, can help in restoring the appearance you desire.
To improve breast contour after weight fluctuations. Losing weight often means losing breast volume and may cause the skin to stretch and lose elasticity. A breast lift can help restore a more proportional, youthful breast shape by removing excess skin.
To enjoy a beautiful, perky breast shape for the first time. A small but growing number of breast lift patients have had drooping breasts since their teens. Breast lift surgery can help a woman feel more like herself, improving her comfort and self-confidence.
Consultation
At the very beginning of the process, you’ll meet with a plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns and explore your options. Your surgeon will come up with an evaluation and clarify what procedures may benefit you most. It is also important here to set realistic expectations for the outcome.
Preparation
In preparing for breast lift surgery, you may be asked to:
Schedule a mammogram. Your surgeon might recommend a baseline mammogram before the procedure and another mammogram a few months afterward. This will help your medical team see changes in your breast tissue and interpret future mammograms.
Stop smoking at least six weeks before undergoing surgery to promote better healing.
Avoid certain medications. You'll likely need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.
Arrange for help during recovery. Arrange for someone’s help, after the surgery and during the recovery period. Daily activities such as washing your hair may be difficult during the first week.
Be at a healthy weight. If you have gained weight in the past year, consider making dietary changes or exercising to assist with weight loss
Procedure
The techniques used to remove breast skin and reshape breast tissue vary. The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:
breast size and shape
the size and position of your areolas
the degree of breast sagging
the skin quality and elasticity
the amount of extra skin
Step 1: Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2: Incision
There are three common incision patterns:
around the areola — the darker area surrounding the nipples
extending downward from the areolae to the breast creases
horizontally along the breast creases
Step 3: Reshaping
After your doctor makes the incisions:
The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness.
The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height.
If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.
Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.
Step 4: Suturing
After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed. Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.
Note: There is also an option for a nonsurgical breast lift - wherein no cuts or incisions are involved nor do you have to be put under general anesthesia. These won’t provide the same dramatic results as a traditional mastopexy might, although they are a good alternative to perk up your breasts with less risk and expense.
Recovery
The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis and takes around two to three hours. You may choose to undergo a short observation period or go home the same day to continue post-operative breast lift recovery. Breast lift recovery usually takes one to two weeks, depending on your general health and whether you decide to combine any procedures with your breast lift. Recovery may also take longer or have different results, depending on the kind of breast lift you have.
After a breast lift, your breasts will likely be covered with gauze and a surgical support bra. Small tubes might be placed at the incision sites in your breasts to drain any excess blood or fluid. Your breasts will be swollen and bruised for about two weeks. You'll likely feel pain and soreness around the incisions, which will be red or pink for a few months. Numbness in your nipples, areolae and breast skin might last for about six weeks.
In the first few days after a breast lift, take pain medication as recommended by your doctor. Avoid straining, bending and lifting. Sleep on your back or your side to keep pressure off your breasts.
Non-surgical Breast Lift
What it is
Non-surgical breast are either non invasive - no cuts or incisions are involved - or minimally invasive - the only access points into the tissues are small punctures made with a needle. Although these breast lifts won’t provide the same dramatic results as a traditional mastopexy might, they’re still worth considering if you’re looking for a way to perk up your breasts with less risk and expense.
Who its for
The best candidates for this procedure are women seeking to correct wrinkles and loose skin, while attaining a minimal perk without having to change the size of their breasts. Individuals with larger chests are not good candidates because these patients would need repositioning and redistribution of breast volume. This procedure is a good option for those that need a little lift and those who may want to address one breast and not the other. conducive for
What to expect
Patients should be aware of the limited results and realistic expectations of the outcome. It is important to understand that there is always a trade-off in undergoing more minimally invasive procedures instead of more aggressive surgical operations
Regardless of what you decide, it’s important to work with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.
