What is breast lift surgery?
Breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, raises and firms sagging breasts by surgically removing excess skin and tightening surrounding tissues. Over time, breasts can sag, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes can result from pregnancy, breast feeding, weight fluctuation and aging. Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size or contour of the breasts, and patients should consider breast augmentation in association with lift if they desire larger, fuller breasts.
Am I a good candidate for breast lift surgery?
Candidates for breast lift surgery are bothered by breast sagging loss of breast fullness and shape changes. Sagging breasts may appear flat and elongated, with nipples falling below the breast crease, or pointing downward. Patients electing breast lift surgery should be in good overall health, with no serious medical conditions or any active diseases. Ideally, patients should wait until they are finished having children, since skin can get stretched again with pregnancy.
Will I need to have breast implants also?
Women often notice volume loss in addition to sagging breast tissues. The use of breast implants can help overcome this problem, and are often indicated in addition to breast lift surgery. In some cases, sagging breasts can be improved with implants alone, allowing one to defer the decision to undergo breast lift surgery. The best way to determine whether or not implant use is ideal is during your consultation. If breast lift with augmentation is the preferred route, the two procedures can often be done at the same time, though they can be performed separately.
How is breast lift surgery performed?
Breast lift surgery is performed through incisions on your breast, allowing tissue reshaping to create a firmer, more youthful appearing breast. The breast lift procedure is performed using local tumescent anesthesia and oral medications for relaxation in our Redwood City cosmetic surgery office. Your surgeon will make the appropriate incision based on your pre-operative assessment. The most common incisions include peri-aerolar, key hole or inverted T style incisions, all of which are located in the lower half of the breasts. After making the incision, the breast tissue will be reshaped, the nipple-areola will be lifted, and the excess skin will be removed. Once the right proportions are achieved, the incisions are closed and dressings are placed over the breasts. Occasionally, a temporary drain will be placed and removed within a few days of your procedure. After the procedure is done and the recovery garment is placed, you will relax in the recovery area before returning home.
What should I expect after the procedure?
You should arrange for someone to drive you home after the breast lift procedure. Immediately afterwards, your breasts will be numb for several hours because of the tumescent anesthesia that was used. As the anesthesia wears off, most patients describe a mild achy pain. Post-procedure discomfort is typically well controlled with the medicine we prescribe for you. Patients often have some swelling and occasional bruising following the procedure, which usually resolves over several days to a week or two. At your first post-procedure visit, your bandages will be removed. You will be able to shower and return to light activity 2 days after your procedure and, and you should be able to return to work within a week of the procedure.
What are the risks of breast lift surgery?
Serious complications from breast lift surgery are uncommon. As with any procedure, bleeding, infection, fluid collections, and poor wound healing may occur. Breast contour irregularities, asymmetry, and changes in nipple sensation are other possible complications with breast lift surgery. One way to reduce the chance of complications is to carefully follow all post-procedure recommendations after surgery.
When will I see the results of my breast lift surgery?
You will notice a difference immediately after the procedure, with additional contour changes occurring over the next several months. If you have no significant weight gain or pregnancies, the changes from your breast lift should be relatively permanent. It’s important to realize, though, that tissue stretching and relaxation will continue with age.
Pre Procedure Post Procedure
To see more breast lift before and after photos visit our breast lift gallery.