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What is a Breast Lift?

Sagging breasts can often be caused by weight fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or simply genetics. Luckily, with a breast lift, you can improve your breast profile

Mastopexy, or breast lift surgery, is a cosmetic surgery procedure to lift the breasts. When the breast is low, the ligaments in the breast have been stretched. The skin of the breast is also stretched. There’s more skin than tissue.

A mastopexy raises the breasts, reduces the amount of excess breast skin, tightens the surrounding tissue and ligaments of the breast, and changes shape to enhance cleavage.

A breast lift procedure is often combined with a breast augmentation (with breast implants) or other surgical procedures, including reconstructive surgery, for a complete rejuvenation and more youthful breast contours. A breast lift and breast augmentation can be particularly beneficial for those looking to enhance smaller breasts.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift Procedure

Most patients looking to address sagging breasts or breast asymmetry are usually good candidates for a breast lift. That said, there are some criteria we look for to determine if a patient is eligible for this procedure. You should be in good overall health, be willing to share your medical history (including if you have a history of breast cancer), be a nonsmoker, and have realistic expectations of the surgical procedure. During your breast lift consultation, we’ll walk you through the entire process.

Benefits of a Breast Lift Surgery

With a mastopexy, you can look forward to a variety of benefits, including the following:

  • Boost in confidence: Most patients notice a significant change in their confidence after their breast lift surgery. With perkier, younger-looking breasts, you will love what you see when you look in the mirror.
  • Long-lasting results: The results of a breast lift can last for a decade or longer. It can depend on your genetics, lifestyle factors, skin quality, and weight fluctuations.
  • More youthful breast contour: One of the main benefits of a breast lift is that the procedure provides a more youthful breast contour, allowing you to enjoy perkier and more shapely breasts.
  • Can be combined with other surgical procedures: When patients with sagging breasts consider combining breast surgeries with their breast lift. Breast augmentation or breast reduction can be combined with a breast lift for a complete rejuvenation.

The Short Scar Mastopexy

The short scar mastopexy is a breast lift technique that I do most commonly. Short scar mastopexy is a lollipop-type scar with a scar around the nipple and a vertical scar down to the breast crease. I no longer use horizontal scars. The advantages of a short scar procedure are that it produces a more cone breast shape as opposed to a flat breast that is produced by a horizontal scar. And because scars are always weak, you have less weakening of the skin on the bottom of the breast and less bottoming out (falling) of the breast over time. The additional thing that I do to enhance longevity is to use the excess skin or surrounding tissue to create a sling under the breast to give additional support and shape.

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What is Done During Breast Lift Surgery?

What is physically done during the breast lift surgery is the lollipop incisions (sometimes known as a lollipop lift) are made, the skin is lifted away from the breast tissue, the breasts and nipple is moved back to the chest wall, sutures are used secure the tissue to the chest wall, and sutures are used to create cleavage. Dr. Perry will also reduce sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the ligaments.

A dermal sling is also placed, and the wound is closed.

Featured Procedure Video:

Video Transcript:

Okay, so today we’re going to do a breast lift or mastopexy. And the goal of the breast lift or mastopexy is to correct the weak ligaments and the stretched skin that’s allowed the breast to be too low. When the breast is low, the supporting ligaments have stretched. And the skin is stretched. So what we’re gonna do is make an incision like an upside-down V just to do a short scar breast reduction. And from the inside, we’re gonna support the breast tissue to the chest wall. So, we’re gonna use a suture from here to here to hold the breast tissue up. That’s gonna do our lift. And then we’re gonna tighten the skin below. And that’ll be our idea of the breast lift. So, this is what we’re doing for the breast lift using sutures to compensate for the weak ligaments and resecting skin to compensate for the excess skin. And our goal is to get a look like this and to move the breast tissue from here back to the chest. So, we’re gonna try to bring the breast tissue back up here by supporting from the inside like this.

What we’ve done is we have moved the breast tissue that was low and moved it up. And we secured the breast tissue to give the upper pull fullness. We’ve done a short scar, which is a scar around the nipple and a vertical scar. We did not do a horizontal scar. I think the advantage of a vertical scar is it makes a more projecting breast and makes a better side of the chest by pulling in and a better inframammary fold. So, this is our look. I think we got a pretty good similarity between the two breasts. And we created the cleavage instead of having the breast low. So, taking the skin away compensated for stretching of the skin. And our sutures on the inside compensated for the weak ligaments by holding the breast tissue to the chest wall. By using those sutures to hold the tissue chest wall, we should have longevity. We want this to stay lifted for 10 years, 15 years and be the last surgery she ever does.

 

Breast Lift Procedure Recovery

The recovery from this procedure has mild pain. Most patients require pain medicine for one or two days. Initially, the breasts are very swollen and shaped like torpedoes. You may also notice a loss of nipple or breast sensation, but those effects will dissipate relatively quickly. As the swelling goes down, the breast will obtain the normal shape with a natural slope. We’ll also provide a surgical bra to ensure the breasts are supported as you heal.

You should not exercise for one month. Patients usually take 10 days to two weeks off work. It takes about 2 to 3 months for the swelling to resolve and for the breasts to take their natural shape.

Breast Lift Complications

The complications associated with mastopexy may be pulmonary embolism, infection, hemorrhage, decrease nipple sensation, nipple loss, keloid formation and the complications associated with anesthesia.

Mastopexy is a great procedure. Cleavage and shape can be created with your own tissue. Implants are not needed to create shape! A breast lift can play a role in reducing shoulder pain due to a broad strap. A lot of patients are able to go without a bra when they want to.

Contact Dr. Perry for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Breast Lift FAQs

Is a breast lift covered by insurance?

Generally speaking, breast lift surgery is classified as a cosmetic procedure and is not usually covered by insurance policies. Insurance companies typically do not cover cosmetic surgeries because they are considered elective and not medically necessary.

Do I need a breast lift or just implants?

Deciding between a breast lift and breast implants depends on your aesthetic goals and the current state of your breast tissue. A breast lift is generally recommended if you are looking to address sagging breasts and improve their position and shape without adding volume. On the other hand, breast implants are used primarily to increase the size and enhance the fullness of the breasts. If volume and size are your primary concerns, implants may be the appropriate choice.

Does a breast lift leave scars?

Yes, a breast lift can leave scars. This is because the procedure involves removing excess skin and reshaping the breast tissue to achieve a lifted appearance, which requires incisions. Dr. Perry will place the incisions in as inconspicuous place as possible to ensure any scarring is hidden.

Does a breast lift make your nipples less sensitive?

One common concern among individuals considering a breast lift is whether the procedure can affect nipple sensitivity. The outcome varies from person to person. Some may experience temporary changes in nipple sensation, including reduced sensitivity, immediately after the surgery due to swelling and the healing process. In many cases, normal sensation returns gradually as the nerves recover over time.

How do you shower after a breast lift?

Showering after a breast lift requires special care to ensure proper healing and maintain the results of the surgery. Typically, it's advised to wait at least 48 hours post-surgery before taking a shower. Once you are cleared to shower, make sure to use lukewarm water and a gentle flow to avoid irritating the incisions. Avoid scrubbing the incision area directly and instead, let the water softly rinse over it. You can clean around the breast area gently with mild soap, but it's important not to apply soap directly to the incision sites. Pat the area dry carefully with a soft, clean towel and avoid vigorous rubbing. Additionally, ensure the incisions are completely dry before reapplying any dressings or medical supports.

How long do breast lift results last?

The longevity of breast lift results can vary from person to person. It typically lasts anywhere from 5 to 15 years. Factors such as skin elasticity, age, lifestyle habits, and genetic predispositions all play a role in determining how long the effects of a breast lift will last.

How long does a breast lift last?

A breast lift lasts varying lengths of time, depending on a number of factors. For some, they experience long-lasting results, while others may want to perform some slight revisions only after a few years. To say how long results last from a typical breast lift surgery is dependent upon many factors such as age, genetics, health and eating habits, as well as surgical techniques.

How much does breast lift cost?

The cost of a breast lift, also known as mastopexy, can vary significantly based on numerous factors, such as the complexity of the procedure and the specific requirements of the patient. On average, the cost of a breast lift can range from $4,000 to $8,000. This estimate usually includes surgeon fees, anesthesia, medical tests, and hospital or facility fees.

How painful is a breast lift?

Due to the use of general anesthesia, you will not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. Afterward, you may feel some discomfort, but Dr. Perry will prescribe pain medication to ensure you're comfortable throughout your recovery process.

How soon after breast lift can I exercise?

If you've recently undergone a breast lift surgery and are eager to get back to your exercise routine, it's important to follow a gradual and carefully planned approach. Generally, it's advisable to refrain from any strenuous exercises or heavy lifting for at least four to six weeks after surgery to facilitate optimal healing. During the initial two weeks, focus on resting and avoiding movements that could strain your chest area. Light activities, like walking, can usually be resumed after the first week, provided they don't cause discomfort.

Will a breast lift reduce cup size?

A breast lift typically focuses on raising and reshaping the breasts to achieve a more youthful appearance. Although the primary goal of a breast lift is not to change the cup size, some patients may experience a slight reduction in cup size post-surgery. This change occurs because the procedure often involves removing excess skin to create a firmer and more lifted appearance.

Will a breast lift reduce my cup size?

Many women are concerned that lifting the breasts will decrease size and volume. Studies have shown that while some women move to wear a smaller bra, this is largely due to the breasts being reshapen rather than a true reduction in size.

What happens during a breast lift?

During the procedure, excess skin is removed and breast tissue is reshaped to restore firmness and raise the breasts and nipples on the chest. Incisions can be made around the darker area surrounding the nipples (areolae), downward to the breast creases and horizontally along the creases.

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