A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure which lifts the breasts to change the shape of them to a firmer and more beautiful shape.
| Breast lift at a glance | |
| Hospitalization | Yes |
| Length of stay in
hospital |
1 to 2 days |
| Anesthesia | General |
| Length of procedure | 2 to 3 hours |
| Recovery | 6 weeks |
| Cost | variable |
| Discomfort | Mild to moderate |
| Duration of results | The results are generally long-lasting(Depends on factors such as age, genetics, lifestyle, dietary habits, and surgical techniques) |
|
Potential risks |
Pain and soreness around the incisions. |
As people age, some changes may happen in breasts such as losing elasticity and firmness. There are many causes for these kinds of breast changes, including pregnancy, weight changes, gravity, breastfeeding, etc. This problem can be solved by a very easy solution which is a procedure called breast lift. During this surgery, the cosmetic surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes the breast surrounding tissue to raise the nipple & areola into a more forward position.
Breast lift surgery candidates
- Adults with good physical health and maintain a stable weight
- Non-smokers
- Older women with loose breasts that want their breasts to be lifted
Types of breast Lift
Breast lift has a range of different incision patterns, depending on the extent of sagging reported and desired results, but usually, one of the four techniques detailed below will be used:
- The ‘Anchor’ Lift : With this procedure, an anchor-shaped incision is made on the areola and breast crease. This method is suitable for patients who have a severe degree of sagging breasts which will not be helped sufficiently by other less invasive techniques.
- The ‘Lollipop’ Lift : In this method _ also known as a “keyhole” incision _the sagging skin of breasts will be pulled upwards, correcting droopiness. This procedure is suitable for women who have a reasonable degree of drooping skin and who do not want to have breast implants.
- The ‘Donut’ Lift : The surgeon will use this form of breast uplift for patients with moderate to a mild degree of sagging, although when used in conjunction with the placement of implants, it can produce a satisfactory result for patients who have more pronounced sagging.
- The Crescent Lift : The surgeons usually use this technique for those women with very mild sagging. The crescent lift requires only one crescent-shaped incision that runs halfway along the top edge of the areola, a piece of skin will be removed above the incision, and the surrounding skin will be reattached to the areola.
Breast lift pre-operative instructions
The surgeon would refer the patient to lab testing or medical evaluation and take a medical history of patients. The surgeon may mark the breasts before the breast lift surgery and take some photographs. Patients should be asked to take certain medications or adjust current medications. They should get a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one after surgery to help detect any future changes in their breast tissue. They should stop smoking for some weeks before and after the surgery. Patients should avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements a few days before surgery as they can increase bleeding.
Breast lift procedure
Patients usually would be under general anesthesia during breast lift surgery. Anesthesia puts you in a state of unconsciousness so that you don’t feel pain. This surgery usually lasts 1 to 3 hours. Patients need to stay at the hospital for 1 or 2 nights.
The surgeon makes 2 to 3 incisions in your breasts. During this surgery, the cosmetic surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes the breast surrounding tissue to raise the nipple & areola into a more forward position. Sometimes, women require breast augmentation surgery at the same time as breast lift surgery.
Breast lift post-operative instructions
Breast lift surgery recovery usually takes about 6 weeks. Swelling, bruising is common for about two weeks after the surgery. Numbness in nipples, areolae and breast skin might last for about six weeks. Patients may have drainage tubes near incisions to drain away any fluid or blood which typically removed within a few days. The surgeon may prescribe antibiotics and painkillers. Some stitches dissolve on their own which may take about six to eight weeks, others must be removed one or two weeks after the procedure. During recovery, patients should wear a surgical bra for the first few days and after that, the bra will be replaced with a support bandage or sports bra which is to be worn for several weeks.
Patients should avoid sexual activity for about one or two weeks after the breast lift surgery. They should ask their doctor when to resume daily activities, such as washing hair, showering or bathing. They should avoid straining, bending and lifting heavy things for a few weeks.
Schema:
Body Location
Breasts
How Performed
During this surgery, the cosmetic surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes the breast surrounding tissue to raise the nipple & areola into a more forward position.
Follow-up
Recovery usually takes about 6 weeks. Swelling, bruising is common for about two weeks after the surgery. Numbness in nipples, areolae and breast skin might last for about six weeks. Patients may have drainage tubes near incisions to drain away any fluid or blood which typically removed within a few days. Some stitches dissolve on their own which may take about six to eight weeks, others must be removed 1 or 2 weeks after the procedure.
Outcome
More beautiful and lifted breasts
Preparation
The surgeon would refer the patients to lab testing and take a medical history of patients. The surgeon may mark the breasts before the surgery and take some photographs. They should stop smoking for some weeks before and after the surgery. Patients should avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements a few days before surgery as they can increase bleeding.
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