Pregnancy, breast-feeding, gravity, and decreased skin elasticity can affect the shape and firmness of the breasts. Women who are generally satisfied with the size of their breasts, but not the shape are best helped with a breast lift, also known as a mastopexy. The breast lift raises and firms the breasts, resulting in a more youthful breast contour. Our doctors can help patients who are unhappy about the sagging of their breasts with breast lift surgery. If there is too little or too much breast volume, a breast augmentation or breast reduction might be recommended in addition to a lift.

CONSULTATION

Patients are able to talk to our doctors about their concerns and what they are hoping to get from surgery during the consultation. Our doctors will listen carefully to the patient and perform a physical examination, including breast measurements, before we make recommendations. Patients will need to share their complete medical history and patients over 40 will need to bring a recent mammogram. After our doctors give their recommendations, the patient will be able to make informed decisions and then create a treatment plan with our doctors.

SURGERY DETAILS

The procedure usually takes about 2 – 3 hours to complete a standard breast lift and about 3 hours for a breast lift with augmentation under general anesthesia. Like most cosmetic procedures, this is an outpatient procedure, and the patient will be able to go home after surgery. During surgery, our doctors will make either a keyhole, anchor, or periareolar incision, raise the breast and nipple, and then suture everything into place. Our doctors use a special skin closure technique that leaves the thinnest, most inconspicuous scar possible with multiple layers of dissolvable stitches.

Provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons

RECOVERY & POST OPERATION

– Our doctors will apply surgical bandages to the breasts and the patient will go home with a special supportive bra, which must remain on for the first week after the surgery to encourage healing.
– Patients may be given pain medication for 5-7 days.
– It usually takes about 2 weeks for the bruising and swelling to subside.

– Patients can often resume light activities and work after 2 weeks, but need to wait at least 6 weeks for exercise and other strenuous actions.

FROM OUR DOCTORS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Final Results of Breast Lift?

Breast lifts are very effective, thus the breasts should not return to their preoperative droop for decades, assuming the patient doesn’t have significant weight fluctuations or go through pregnancy. Some settling may occur, but the new nipple position should remain intact.

Breast Lift Before or After Pregnancy?

Patients who are interested in breast lift surgery after pregnancy will need to delay surgery for several months after they are finished lactating to reduce the risk of infections and cysts. For patients who are not pregnant, but are planning to have more children, it may be best to hold off on breast lift surgery. Subsequent pregnancies are likely to change the shape of the breasts, even after breast lift surgery. By waiting, a more permanent result can be achieved, and touch-up surgeries can be avoided.

Incisions and Techniques to Breast Lift?

Our doctors may incorporate one of many breast lift incision techniques. The various types of incisions are explained below:
– The anchor incision is often used for a breast lift in conjunction with a breast reduction.
– The lollipop lift or keyhole incision is suitable for women with a moderate degree of sagging and who do not want breast implants.
– The donut lift or periareolar incision is suitable for women with a mild-to-moderate degree of sagging or if there is more severe sagging and implants are being added.
– The crescent lift is usually done in conjunction with breast augmentation in women with minor sagging. It cannot accomplish the same degree of lifting as the other incision techniques.