Mastopexy, or breast lift surgery, restores a more youthful appearance to a woman’s breast. Breasts can lose their shape and firmness as a result of gravity, weight loss, pregnancy, nursing, all of which can cause them to sag. A breast lift will raise and reshape the breasts, slowing the effects of aging and gravity. This procedure can also reduce the size of the areola which is the darker skin surrounding the nipple if the patient desires.
Breast lifts alone will only remove the sagging breast tissue and reposition the nipple. For this reason, breast lifts are commonly performed in conjunction with breast augmentation (implants) to increase the fullness in the upper pole of the breast and provide cleavage. If you are planning a future pregnancy, it is advisable to postpone your breast lift as pregnancy will likely cause further stretching and drooping of the breast.
As with all cosmetic surgery, realistic expectations and emotional stability are important. Although breasts of any size can be lifted, women with smaller breasts enjoy longer lasting results.
Who is a good candidate for breast lift surgery?
- Women
- Age 18 to 65
- Generally in good health
- Non-smokers
- Desire aesthetic enhancement of the breast
- Desires augmentation and/or lift of the breast
- Don’t mind scars around areola or vertical from areola to inframammary fold when breast lifts are performed
What are the risks of breast lift surgery in Fall River, MA?
As with any surgery, there are possible complications. Although rare, there are adverse effects from anesthesia as well as the possibility of bleeding and infection that can cause the scars to widen. You should be in excellent health eating a healthy diet and participating in an exercise regimen before undergoing any elective surgery. Diabetics and smokers are especially at risk for wound breakdown, infection, and possible loss of the skin of the nipple and areola regions. You will need to quit smoking for a minimum of 6 weeks before surgery to minimize the risk of complications.
Breast lift surgery can also leave you unevenly positioned nipples, or a permanent loss of feeling in your nipples or breasts.
How is breast lift surgery performed?
At Advanced Body Sculpting of New England, breast lift surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure in a AAAHC accredited facility under intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. The surgery may take 1.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the size of the breast and if concomitant augmentation is being performed. There are incisions around the areola and vertically beneath the areola (the so-called “lollipop” incision) and sometimes in the horizontal crease (inframammary fold) area. Dr. Mark X. Lowney utilizes the “Staple Shape” technique in which the excess skin is tailor-tacked prior to removal with small staples in order to remove the appropriate amount of sagging skin. Usually some breast tissue is removed also, then the nipple and areola are repositioned and the skin closed with absorbable suture. Breast lift surgery will actually make the breasts smaller on account of the excess skin and breast tissue that is removed. Because of this, most patients proceed to have implants placed at the same time.
After surgery, your sutures will be covered with steri-strips and a surgical bra will hold the breasts in place. Drains are usually not placed after breast lift surgery. Your breasts will be swollen and bruised and you may experience mild discomfort for a couple of days. This discomfort is generally well controlled with oral pain medication. After 1 week the steri-strips will be removed. The scars may be red and lumpy for a few months eventually fading and becoming less obvious. There are scar creams available that may help the final appearance of the scars.
How much time should you take off after breast lift surgery?
To ensure proper healing, appropriate post-operative rest and recovery time is needed. If you have a sit down job, you should plan on staying home for at least 1 week. If your job entails physical activity, you should plan on staying home for 2 to 3 weeks. You should refrain from any jogging or activity which will cause the breasts to bounce for at least 1 month.
Breastfeeding after breast lift surgery.
Statistically, 30% of all women are unable to breast feed even if they have had no breast surgery. However, because some milk ducts are disrupted during the surgery you may not be able to breastfeed following any breast surgery. Some women successfully breastfeed after having the surgery but it is difficult to who will be able to. Most women delay breast lift surgery until childbearing is complete to avoid any potential breast feeding issues.
Schedule An Appointment for A Breast Lift in Fall River
If you are considering breast lift in the Fall River area and would like to learn whether you are a good candidate, schedule a consultation with Dr. Mark Lowney. Schedule a consultation or an appointment for breast lift surgery by sending us an email form or contact our office directly at (877) 577 5476.