Breast Lift

As you age, your skin becomes less elastic, making it less likely to return to its normal shape after giving birth or breastfeeding. Combine this with time and the effects of gravity and the result can be drooping breasts (Ptosis) that have lost their youthful shape. In an effort to reduce sagging and to achieve firmer and shapelier breasts, many women have turned to the cosmetic surgery procedure known as a Breast Lift, or Mastopexy. This procedure raises and reshapes a patient's sagging breasts. Patients who do not wish to enlarge their breasts can have a breast lift to raise and firm their breasts, resulting in a more youthful breast contour. This is a popular procedure for those women who wish to reclaim the look of their more youthful breasts, without receiving implants or otherwise increasing the overall size of their breasts. For those patients who may be unhappy that they have lost a significant amount of breast volume over time, implants inserted in conjunction with a breast lift can increase breast size at the same time as the shape and position of the breasts are enhanced.

What You Should Know About Breast Lift Surgery

A breast lift procedure is designed to reverse the effects of gravity on drooping breasts (Ptosis) that have lost their youthful shape. This procedure, also known as Mastopexy, may be performed by itself, or at the same time as a breast augmentation surgery. It is not unusual for women who are getting a breast lift surgery done to also have an augmentation because the breast lift reduces the size of the breast slightly.

Following a breast lift surgery a patients breasts are bandaged and they are fitted with a surgical bra (a compression garment that is designed to promote healing and reduce swelling of the breasts). Patients should wear this special bra for a month following surgery. Patients can expect to experience some swelling and bruising around the breasts that will last for one to two weeks. Ordinarily modest pain medications are sufficient to reduce this discomfort to a very tolerable level. Some patients also experience a temporary loss of sensation around their nipples.

How a Breast Lift Surgery is Performed

General anesthesia or I.V. sedation is administered to the patient by an anesthesiologist prior to this procedure being performed. Incisions are made to follow the natural contour of your breasts so that scarring is less conspicuous. Stretched and excess skin is then excised and the nipples are repositioned higher, in a more attractive position. A mammogram is sometimes required prior to breast surgery.

As with any cosmetic surgery, be sure to follow your plastic surgeons instructions regarding taking medications and vitamins, eating, drinking and ceasing smoking.