Breast Lift

Patients who desire a breast lift may have noticed loss of skin elasticity, gravity and other factors such as weight loss, pregnancy and breast-feeding ultimately affect the shape and firmness of your breasts. Patients who are generally satisfied with the size of their breasts can have a breast lift to raise and firm them, resulting in a more youthful breast contaour. Such factors may boost an individual’s confidence, leading them to seek a Breast Lift.

Breast lift surgery or Mastopexy is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola. If the breasts are small and have lost volume breast implants inserted along with Mastopexy can increase both firmness and their size. A breast lift can be performed at any age, but one has to wait until breast development has stopped. Since milk ducts and nipples are left intact, surgery will not affect your ability to breast feed. Breasts that are large and heavy can be lifted, but the results may not be as long lasting as when it is done on smaller breasts.

Reasons for undergoing a breast lift:

• Breasts that lack substance or firmness.
• Some of the candidates have breasts that are pendulous, but of satisfactory size.
• Nipples and areolas that point downwards, especially if they are positioned below the breast crease.
• Loss of elasticity, weight loss, pregnancy and breast-feeding affect the shape and firmness of the breasts.

Personal consultation:

During your visit, you will be asked about your desired breast shape and size. Dr. Perry Jr. will tell you how nipples and areolas will be repositioned. Mention your expectations about your breasts.

Evaluation by plastic surgeon:

Dr. Perry Jr. will examine your breasts and take measurements. The size and shape of your breasts and the placements of nipples and areolas will be carefully evaluated. Medical history will be discussed as well as any health conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments received, previous surgeries and more.

Risks involved:

A breast lift is normally safe when performed by a qualified surgeon. Significant complications from breast lifts are not frequent. Thousands of women go through surgery, without experiencing major problems and are pleased with the results. Following breast lift surgery, sometimes the breasts may not be perfectly symmetrical or the nipple may vary slightly. Permanent loss of sensation in the nipples is rare. Revisional surgery may be helpful where incisions have healed poorly. Bleeding and infection following a breast lift are not common, bs to widen. You can reduce the risks by clearly following your Dr. Perry Jr.’s advice before and after surgery.

Types of anesthesia:

Breasts lifts are usually performed under general anesthesia. In patients where a smaller incision is being made the surgeon may use conscious sedation.

Surgical procedure:

Full breast lift:

Mastopexy usually takes one and half to three and half hours. The most common procedure involves an anchor shaped incision across the base of the breast as well as incisions around the areolas and an incision between the areola and the base of the breast. The incision outlines the area from which the breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. The nipple and areola are moved to the higher position with the removal of excess skin. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down to reshape the breast. Maximal correction of the breast shape is possible with this but at the cost of more scarring.

Modified breast lift:

Patients with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging are candidates for a modified breast lift. This requires fewer incisions. One such procedure is the “doughnut mastopexy,” in which circular incisions are made around the areola, and a doughnut shaped section of skin is removed.

After your surgery:

After surgery you will wear a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Your breasts will be bruised and swollen. Pain will not be severe, which will be relieved with medications. The stitches will be removed after a week or two. If the breast skin is dry, use moisturizer several times a day. The numbness you feel in that area usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks.

Healing is a gradual process. Take it easy for a week or two. Lifting weight for three or four weeks should be avoided. Avoid strenuous sports for about a month.

Dr. Perry Jr. is a board certified plastic surgeon in Glendale Ca. All aspects of cosmetic surgery offered including breast augmentation, breast lifts, breast reduction and breast reconstruction. Dr. Perry Jr. sees patients from Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank and Southern California.