Breast Lift Surgery (Mastopexy)
Thomas Lois, MD Atlanta Ga Plastic Surgeon
Breast Lift with implants Before and After Photos
Breast Lift without implants Before and After Photos
After Breast Lift Surgery
What is a breast lift?
Breast lift surgery is designed to lift up sagging breast tissue rejuvenating the appearance of the breast. Ideally, your nipples should rest half way between the tops of your shoulders and the crease near your elbows. You may be a good candidate for breast lift surgery if you have any of the following: breasts lack substance or firmness, or your nipples and areolas point downward. In many cases, women seek breast lift surgery to correct inherited traits or asymmetry-one breast may be firm and well-developed while the other is not. This procedure may be performed alone or in conjunction with breast implant surgery or breast reduction surgery.
Why does this happen? How do breast sagging or drooping develop?
With time, age, pregnancy, and hereditary factors – to name a few – a woman’s breasts begin to sag. Excess skin develops with the sagging causing the areola to enlarge. Form is lost as firmness decreases and sagging takes place.
Do my breasts have to be a certain size to be lifted?
No. Breasts of any size can be lifted; however, the results last longer in women whose breasts are smaller and lighter.
Can you get a breast lift with only a circular scar around the areola?
Yes. The periareolar lift, also commonly referred to as the doughnut lift or Benelli lift, is not a shaping lift alone. It is designed to accompany breast implant surgery. However, the Crescent Breast Lift, in which a crescent shaped incision is made along the top of the nipple raises the nipple position if your nipple position is only slightly low or pointing downward.
Should I have breast implant surgery with breast lift surgery?
Some women may benefit from a breast implant. If your breasts have gotten smaller after pregnancy and lost firmness, breast implant surgery will restore breast shape and firmness. On the other hand, if your breasts have begun to sag without any significant decrease in size or support, then breast lift surgery alone may be a good option for you.
Why would I need a standard inverted-T type breast lift?
Making the incision along the fold at the bottom of the breast is necessary in some women to maintain the proper distance from the breast fold to the nipple.
What type of incisions does Dr. Lois make when performing breast lift surgery?
Depending on the extent of drooping in the breast, Dr. Lois can use different incisions to minimize the length of incisions and scarring. The most standard incision is the inverted-T or anchor type incision. This is an incision that follows the natural contour of the breast to the nipple. V-Shaped Mastopexy or vertical lollipop incision is used for patients requiring a “moderate lift “ or skin resurrection. Using a smaller incision around the areola and straight down the breast crease but not in the crease itself. The Doughnut Lift, Benelli Lift, or Periareolar Lift is used when there is minimal sagging. The small incisions are made around the areola and this procedure is most commonly done in conjunction with breast augmentation. Finally, the Crescent Lift Mastopexy is performed in order to reposition the nipple upward. A small crescent shaped area of skin is removed from just over the top of the areola, allowing Dr. Lois to lift the nipple. This procedure will correct small discrepancies in the position of the nipples as to make them appear evenly positioned.
One of my nipples is higher than the other and one of my nipples is smaller than the other; can this be corrected with breast lift surgery?
Yes. This sort of surgery is considered corrective breast surgery.
How long will breast lift surgery take?
Breast lift surgery takes 1 ½ to 3 ½ hours depending on the extent of surgery.
What are the fees for a breast lift?
The fees range form $8,200 to $11,000 depending upon the size of the breast. This fee includes the surgery, anesthesia, O.R. supplies (this includes the facility costs, medical and surgical supplies and surgical personnel) and care for 3 months following surgery. You will be responsible for your labs and medications.
Will insurance pay for a breast lift?
No. Breast lift surgery is not covered by insurance, as this is cosmetic surgery.
After Breast Lift Surgery
What is the recovery time for a breast lift?
You would need to allow three to six weeks for recovery depending on the type of work you do. Obviously, if you have to perform tasks that require heavy lifting, or strenuous activity, you would need to allow the longest time period for recovery.
What kind of dressing does a breast lift require?
You will have dissolvable sutures, steri strips (tapes) and a fluff dressing covering your breasts. The dressing will be removed after one week. We will snip the knots on the sutures which will then dissolve. You will keep the steri strips for an additional week before removing them.
How long after a breast lift before I can shower?
You will have to sponge bathe until the dressings are removed. Usually one week.
How long can I expect to maintain my shape after a breast lift?
You can expect to maintain your new breast shape, unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight or become pregnant. If, over time, you again become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breast, you may choose to undergo a second breast lift procedure.
Breast Lift with implants Before and After Photos
Breast Lift without implants Before and After Photos
After Breast Lift Surgery
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