Breast Lift

Breast Lift

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Many women seek a breast lift, also known as mastopexy, to restore a more youthful appearance to their breasts. Over the years, breasts can lose their shape and firmness from aging, fluctuation in weight, pregnancy, and breast feeding. This may cause stretched skin and loss of volume in your breasts. A mastopexy will raise and reshape the breast, slowing the effects of aging and gravity, restoring the youthful appearance a woman’s breast had prior to pregnancy. This procedure can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker pigmented skin around the nipple. Mastopexy does not make your breasts larger or provide more fullness at the top of your breasts. Breast lifts are commonly performed in conjunction with augmentation to increase the fullness of the upper pole of the breast if volume was lost during pregnancy.

Mastopexy is a sophisticated breast procedure that should not be carried out by the casual breast surgeon. There are many variables involved in the decision making process that ultimately determine a successful outcome. The breast lift procedure may take between one to four hours. The type of incision needed for your mastopexy is determined by the amount of lifting that is required, whether the lifting is isolated to the nipple or breast gland (or both), as well as the skin quality and elasticity. Part of the goal of the expert breast surgeon is to minimize the scars necessary to achieve the desired shape. The scars must also be as thin as possible. The position, length, and quality of a scar results from the strategic plan formulated by a plastic surgeon with expertise in mastopexy. Not only are mastopexy incisions placed so that the scars will not be seen when wearing low cut clothing, but the scars should look good when viewed in the nude.

There are many different types of mastopexy designs depending upon what a patient’s breasts look like and her surgical goals. Most often, incisions are placed around the areola in an effort to slide the nipple into its proper position back up on the chest. This is followed by removal of excess sagging breast tissue and skin. For patients with relatively small breasts, a vertical (tennis racquet) or concentric (doughnut) mastopexy can be performed. The concentric technique limits the incision to just around the areola and is indicated in women who have isolated nipple sagging (the breast gland does not sag). In women who have a small but sagging breast gland, the vertical mastopexy is performed. This procedure requires that an incision be made around the areola, and extended down the front of the breast. In patients with larger breasts and a greater amount of breast gland sagging, the mastopexy procedure may require an incision in the shape of an upside down T or anchor, extending from the areola down the center portion of the breast and then into the natural crease in the fold beneath the breast. If breast augmentation is part of the surgical plan, then it can be performed through any of these incisions at the time of your mastopexy procedure.

Preparing for your surgery

Your initial consultation is extremely important. Every surgeon as well as every patient has a different idea of what the best size and shape for your breasts are, so it is important to discuss your expectations.

You should be able to speak freely with your surgeon about your goals and desired outcome. Be prepared to provide your medical history and inform your surgeon of any vitamins and medications, including over-the-counter, you are taking. Tell your surgeon if you smoke, have uncontrolled high blood pressure, allergies, blood clotting problems, or a tendency to form excessive scars because these problems can affect the outcome of your surgery.

During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will examine your breasts and take measurements of your breasts. He will evaluate the size and shape of your breasts, the quality of your skin, and the location of your nipples and breast gland. This will help to determine the type of mastopexy that he will recommend. There will also be a discussion about upper pole fullness and breast size to determine if a breast implant is warranted or not.

If you are having breast augmentation performed with your mastopexy, there are additional technical factors to consider. These include implant type, and location. Your surgeon will review what is best for you. You will still need to have routine mammograms after breast augmentation. Having breast implants does not make it more difficult to detect breast cancer. You must let your technician know of your breast augmentation surgery to assure that you will receive the appropriate views to obtain a reliable reading.

After your surgery

Most patients with office jobs are back to work within one week after surgery, depending on how they are feeling. If a high level of activity is required for your job, talk with Dr. Pinsky or Lickstein about a time frame that will be appropriate for you to return to work. Your breasts may be swollen and uncomfortable. This can last for approximately 2 to 3 weeks. The first menstruation after surgery may cause your breasts to swell and hurt. This is normal and to be expected. Scars are permanent and may remain red for months before gradually becoming less obvious. You may shower on the day following surgery, but you must put your support bra back on immediately.

Following surgery you will feel chest discomfort. Pain medication prescribed by your surgeon will help to keep it minimized. Within a day after surgery, you should be able to be up and walking around performing basic skills of daily living. You will be instructed to wear a surgical bra for about 6 weeks after surgery. Antibiotic ointment and a light dressing are recommended during the first week after surgery. Wearing an underwire bra is not allowed during recovery. The final results vary from woman to woman, but are usually best seen after 9 months.

Results of this procedure may last 8 to 20 years, but will be affected by the process of aging, pregnancies, weight change, and the size of your breasts.