cOSMETIC PROCEDURES > BREAST > BREAST Lift

Enhance
breast Lift

Over time, factors such as aging, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, or  breastfeeding can lead to sagging or drooping of women’s breasts. A breast lift procedure is designed to restore the youthful appearance of your breasts, rejuvenating their contour and firmness.

Contents

What is Breast Lift?

Also known as mastopexy, a breast lift raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted.

A woman's breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:

  • Pregnancy

  • Breastfeeding

  • Weight fluctuations

  • Aging

  • Gravity

  • Heredity

Is it right for me?

Breast lift surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else's desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. A breast lift is a good option for you if:

  • You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight

  • You do not smoke

  • You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag or have lost shape and volume

  • Your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous

  • When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease

  • Your nipples and areolas point downward

  • You have stretched skin and enlarged areolas

Consultation and Preparing for Surgery

    • Your surgical goals

    • Medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments

    • Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use

    • Previous surgeries

    • If you have a family history of breast cancer

    • The results of any mammograms or previous biopsies

    • Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors

    • Examine your breasts and may take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, and placement of your nipples and areolas

    • Take photographs

    • Discuss your options

    • Recommend a course of treatment

    • Discuss likely outcomes of breast lift surgery and any risks or potential complications

    • Discuss the use of anesthesia during your breast lift

    • Get lab testing or a medical evaluation

    • Take certain medications or adjust your current medications

    • Get a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one 6-12 months after surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue

    • Stop smoking

    • Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

The Procedure

Your breast lift surgery can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques. 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

  • Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin

STEP 1: Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Your anesthesiologist will make recommendations on the type of anesthesia based on your history and general health.

Step 2: The Incision

There are three common incision patterns. Dr. Abedi will evaluate which procedure you are a candidate for based on the size of your breasts and the amount of excess tissue/skin that may need to be removed.

Around the areola: Suitable for smaller breasts that need minimum lift.

Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease: Suitable for most breast sizes and shape

Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease: Suitable for larger or saggier breasts that have significant excess skin and/or very low nipples

Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease

STEP 3: Reshaping your breasts

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: Closing the incisions

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.Many women desire the smallest scar possible. However, your plastic surgeon will recommend the incisions which best suit your anatomy. Listen to your surgeon and do not diminish your result by demanding an incision that will not be appropriate for you.Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.

STEP 5:  See the results

The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for breasts which have been restored to a more youthful and uplifted position.

risks and safety

The decision to have breast lift surgery is extremely personal, and you'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.

Possible risks include:

  • Anesthesia risks

  • Bleeding or hematoma formation

  • Infection

  • Poor healing of incisions

  • Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent

  • Breast contour and shape irregularities

  • Breast asymmetry

  • Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)

  • Fluid accumulation or seroma

  • Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola

  • Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications

  • Possibility of revisional surgery

  • Potential inability to breastfeed in the future

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all of your questions directly with Dr. Abedi prior to your surgery.

Some women may want to consider placement of a breast implant in addition to the breast lift. An implant can provide improved upper breast fullness or cleavage. Implants can be placed at the same time or as a second procedure, depending on your tissue quality and anatomy.

RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY

After your breast lift procedure is completed, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. You'll need to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect. This is only done if significant liposuction is performed with your procedure.

Before leaving the surgical facility, you will be given specific instructions by Dr. Abedi that includes how to care for your breasts following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with Dr. Abedi. You will be instructed to wear a support bra around the clock for the first 4 weeks depending on your healing. There are tapes on your incision which stay on for 2 weeks or until they fall. You will be instructed to continue taping your incisions with silicone tapes for the first 3 months to optimize the appearance of your scars.

After a post-surgical recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of a few days, you will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks. Exercise and normal activity can resume at 2-4 weeks depending on your recovery. Dr. Abedi will let you know at your post op visit when you can resume normal activities.

results

The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. The final results of your breast lift will appear over the next few months as breast shape and position continue to settle. Incision lines are permanent but will continue to fade over time.

The results of your breast lift surgery will be long lasting. However, your breasts can continue to change due to aging and gravity. You'll be able to retain your new look longer if you:

  • Maintain your weight

  • Keep a healthy lifestyle

  • Wear a firm supportive bra at all times

Note: Breast surgery should be entertained after child bearing is completed. Changes that occur in the breasts during pregnancy can minimize or reverse the improvement a breast lift provides. Likewise, significant weight loss after breast surgery can negatively impact breast appearance.

Prices for a breast lift can vary. A surgeon's cost may be based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used, and the geographic location of the office.  Dr. Abedi’s office offers patient financing plans through Beautifi, so be sure to ask.

Costs include:

  • Anesthesia fees

  • Surgical facility costs

  • Medical tests

  • Post-surgery garments

  • Breast implant fees (if used)

  • Prescriptions for medication

  • Surgeon's fee

  • Follow up fees for up to 6 months

Medical Services Plan or extended health benefits do not cover the cost of breast lift surgery unless it is done with breast reconstruction for cancer treatment.

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