Breast Lift

Generally, most of the women opt for a mastopexy, when they experience sagging of the breasts due to pregnancy, breast feeding, obesity, and massive weight loss. Mastopexy, also known as breast lift, is a cosmetic surgical option, performed to raise and improve the shape of the breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the nipple higher.

Different Techniques for Breast Lift Surgery

During a breast lift surgery, the diameter of the areola can also be reduced to match the size of the reduced breasts. The scars from breast lift surgery heal quickly and this procedure ensures better shaped breasts. There are many different techniques offered for breast lift surgery. The technique used depends on the patient's needs and goals. Generally in mastopexy, the skin is removed from the lower part of the breast, leaving incisions that encircle the areola; expanding downwards as a vertical line to the crease underneath the breast.

The traditional mastopexy surgery leaves behind a long scar in the crease of the breast. Whereas the vertical mastopexy, or LeJour, leaves fewer scars and gives improved breast shape and contour. This is the procedure preferred by most women because, while raising the breast tissue, it brings up the nipples to a more youthful position, leaving only fewer scars. If desired, one can make their wide breasts narrower or slightly smaller through mastopexy.

But this surgical procedure would not be an adequate solution if a woman's breasts are naturally positioned too low on the chest even if they have good shape and are not sagging. Besides, this procedure cannot successfully restore missing volume to the upper breast nor can it remove the stretch marks found on the breasts.

Breast Lift with Implants

Breast lift surgery can be performed as a standalone procedure or simultaneously with augmentation if your breasts are small or underdeveloped. The upper breasts may assume a curved in shape following mastopexy in women who have greatly stretched breast skin or who might have lost considerable breast volume following postpartum atrophy, or both. In such cases, to restore upper breast fullness it would be better to consider a breast implant placement together with mastopexy. Depending upon the needs and preferences of the patients, the breast implants will be placed in a pocket directly behind or in front of the chest muscles or behind the breast tissue.

Women with severely deflated breasts with downward pointing nipples require the most thorough approach as regards this procedure. The problem is more common in women who have undergone gastric bypass and other weight reducing procedures. In such cases, a breast lift combined with an implant is the best treatment option. The other, and most traditional, the 'anchor' or 'inverted-T' mastopexy might be required in some cases.

A combination of breast augmentation and mastopexy is now a most commonly requested breast contouring procedure. Breast implant options can not only increase the size of the breast, but also provide a lift at the same time to give the patients a smooth, firm and shapely bust line. It is quite a challenging task and involves more surgical complications than when these procedures are performed alone. Breast implants carry risks of rupture, leakage, and capsular contracture, which may require removal or replacement after time. So it is better to carefully consider these points before undergoing this combined breast contouring surgery.

During the surgery, excess skin is removed, leaving the underlying gland containing the small sensory nerves intact. Some women may in rare cases experience temporary or permanent loss of nipple sensation following a breast lift or the combined procedure approach. The surgery does not harm or pose a risk to adequately breastfeed the baby, if the excess skin is removed without disturbing the gland tissue.

Service Provided with Honest and Dedicated Approach

At our center, the breast lift surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure. The procedure is performed at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital by Dr. Spero J Theodorou. The surgery would take about three to four hours to complete and is performed under general anesthesia. Additional time is needed if multiple procedures are being performed at once. The patients might be asked to wear the surgical bra with wires at the time of the operation and thereafter for a week. After one week, you will need to wear wired bras, which provide the most comfortable support for your breasts.

On the day of surgery and for a few days thereafter, you may feel some pain or discomfort. Mild discomfort along the incision lines is likely to occur, which can be controlled by the intake of oral medication. Delayed healing and excessive scarring, bleeding, infection, decreased nipple sensation, loss of nipple or skin tissue are some of the other possible side effects, although rare. The stitches placed at the incision dissolve and do not require removal. Most patients would be able to take up their normal activities quickly. Limited exercise involving the lower body can be done after two weeks. But intense exercise such as jogging involving the chest and arms can be done after six weeks.

Ensures an Improved Breast Appearance

Eventually, your breasts can continue to change due to several reasons such as poor skin elasticity, pregnancy, large breast size, and weight gain. If these problems occur, you can bring back your natural contour by tightening the skin again, using the original scar pattern. Mastopexy can bring about significant improvement in appearance within a few months. Results are long lasting and thus further treatment need not be undertaken in most cases.