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A breast lift or breast mastopexy is an operation where a plastic surgeon raises and reshapes the breasts.
Women who choose to have this procedure are those who want to improve the appearance of their breasts. Breasts tend to sag after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, and age.
If you are considering breast lift surgery, you want to speak with a professional and board-certified plastic surgeon who promotes patient safety and comfort.
At Emmett Plastic Surgery, Dr. Emmett and her team are skilled and experienced in breast augmentation and enhancement surgeries, including breast lifts.
As one of the top surgeons in the Colorado area, she can help you decide if a breast lift is the right choice for you, and guarantee that your surgery is done correctly.
Learn more about how breast lift surgery is done, what to expect, how to prepare for the procedure, and common questions you may want to ask during your consultation.
The procedure
Before your surgery, you will be placed into a relaxed and pain-free state, with twilight intravenous sedation with a lidocaine injection.
Dr. Emmett does not use general anesthesia in her office because of its risks, complications, and undesirable side effects.
The surgery will typically take 3 hours to perform, and then you can go home that same day to rest and begin your healing process.
During breast lift surgery, Dr. Emmett will mark the proper position where your nipple will go, remove extra skin, and lift your breast tissue into the proper location. Once she is finished, she will close your incisions.
A breast lift will not increase or reduce the size of your breasts. If you are interested in changing the size of your breasts, you may have an augmentation or breast reduction done simultaneously.
Types of breast lifts
Plastic surgeons use four main incision techniques for breast lift surgery. After a consultation and examination, Dr. Emmett can tell you which method is best for you.
Crescent lift
This technique is for women who have a minimal amount of sagging. In making one crescent-shaped incision, a surgeon will remove a small piece of breast tissue just above the areola, allowing them to move the nipple upwards.
Donut lift
This procedure is a more common and modified version of the crescent lift. Women who are experiencing mild sagging and would like to reduce the size of their areolas will benefit from this technique.
Rather than a crescent-shaped incision around the areola, a donut lift involves a circular incision.
Vertical lift
A vertical mastopexy is the most commonly used breast lift technique for moderate breast sagging. A surgeon will remove excess skin and shape the entire breast by making two incisions.
Full lift
For severe sagging, a full lift, also called an anchor lift, is the best option.
During this procedure, a surgeon will make three incisions and remove a significant amount of excess skin and sagging tissues before lifting, reshaping, and closing incisions.
The benefits of breast lifting
There are various physical and emotional benefits to having a breast lift surgery. Most patients are delighted with their new breasts and report client satisfaction.
Here are some of the most common benefits of a breast lift:
- A perkier placement and shape
- Firmer breast appearance
- Makes your breasts look younger
- Reduces excess weight on your chest
- Reduces chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Gets rid of skin irritation beneath your breasts
- Improves poster
- Improved nipple projection
- Increased self-esteem and confidence
Combining a breast lift with augmentation
Having a breast lift with implant augmentation can reverse the damage of pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight gain or loss, and other life events that have taken a toll on your body.
While a breast lift can give you perkier breasts and lift your nipples upward, improving the appearance of your breasts, it doesn’t increase their size.
Perhaps, you have always been unsatisfied with your smaller breasts, and your breast lift surgery creates the perfect opportunity to add implants.
How you look plays a significant role in how you feel. So why not combine procedures and increase your self-esteem and self-confidence?
Preparing for breast lift
During your consultation, Dr. Emmett will advise you of any preparations you need to make before your surgery. These may depend on your current health and lifestyle.
If you smoke, you should try quitting to lessen complications during surgery and improve your general health.
Being obese also increases risks and recovery time, so you may consider shedding a few pounds before your breast lift procedure.
Certain medications, such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements, may need to be discontinued.
You will also want to make a recovery plan. Get things you need together, and ask family members or friends if they can help you with driving or daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, and washing your hair.
What you can expect after surgery
After surgery, your breasts will be bandaged in gauze, and you can go home to recover.
You will be prescribed pain medication for the first week of recovery and can then transition to non-prescription medications if needed.
For the first couple of weeks after your procedure, you will want to rest, avoid strenuous physical activities, and avoid lifting your arms above your head.
Bruising, swelling, and discomfort are normal and expected while you recover.
If your pain increases or you have concerns, Dr. Emmett is always a phone call away.
