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Breast Lift

Just as the facial structures are victims to the force of gravity, so too are a woman's breasts. Over the years with aging, the skin loses elasticity and the breasts often lose their firmness causing them to sag. Pregnancy and breast feeding may contribute to this process resulting in a less youthful appearance of the female breast. Mastopexy, or Breast Lift surgery, is designed to reshape the sagging breast. In addition to the loss in breast firmness, the nipple and areola (pigmented area around the nipple), are subject to stretching with loss of elasticity and descent of the breasts. The areola expansion is also addressed during the Breast Lift procedure.

If you have concerns about the changes occurring in your breasts as you age, you may be a candidate for Mastopexy surgery. This type of surgery can enhance your youthful appearance and improve your overall self confidence and self esteem. The best candidates for Mastopexy surgery are healthy women who are realistic about what the surgery can afford after a complete consultation. Breast Lift surgery can be performed for all breast sizes. The best results are usually achieved in patients with small to moderate sagging breasts. Results in larger breasts may not be as long lasting, due to the continued effects of gravity. Although planned future pregnancies are not a specific contraindication to having Breast Lift surgery, you may wish to consider postponing your surgery until childbearing is completed. Pregnancy, may stretch the breasts again after surgery offsetting the results of the procedure.

At your consultation, we realistically discuss and describe the procedure in great detail regarding the risks and the limitations as well as the expected scarring from the operation. There are many techniques available for lifting the female breast. The most common procedure involves an inverted ëT' shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast. Modifications of this technique have reduced incisions where possible. These newer techniques decrease the size of the scars, but do not apply to all patients. Our doctors are well-versed in all of the techniques, and will assist the patient with her decision as to which technique will afford the best possible result.

If your breasts have lost volume, the procedure is sometimes coupled with placement of an implant to restore breast volume. (See Breast Augmentation). This operation, called Augmentation Mastopexy, is more complicated than mastopexy alone and requires deft expertise and careful surgical planning. Our surgeons have a great deal of experience with all aspects of Breast Surgery, and comfortably possess the required expertise. In extreme cases, it is sometimes necessary to perform this operation in two separate stages to obtain the best result.
Surgical Details

The procedure may take anywhere from two to three hours depending on the extent of the work required to restore your breasts to their youthful appearance. The surgery is usually performed on an out patient basis in our fully accredited office surgical suite with a certified physician anesthesiologist. General or sedation anesthesia may be utilized. The post operative recovery is usually very smooth as this operation is primarily an operation of the skin. As with most breast surgical procedures, however, you may experience some nausea afterwards.

After a few hours in recovery, you will be able to go home. Your post operative care may require wearing a surgical bra for extra support during the healing time. Showering may be allowed 48 hours following the procedure. The incisions are usually healed well enough to begin removing stitches at about one week. Some sutures may remain in place for up to two weeks depending on the tightness of the lift.

Breast lift surgery undoubtedly returns your breasts to a more youthful appearance. However, just as with facelift surgery, the aging process and effects of gravity can never be permanently reversed. The aging clock is merely set back ten to fifteen years with breast lift surgery. Speak to us about the multitude of available options for enhancing your appearance and returning a more youthful look to your breasts.

 

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