Breast Lift (Mastopexy) in Albany
Mastopexy (breast lift) is a surgical procedure for lifting and reshaping sagging breasts. Aging, pregnancy, weight loss and gravity can all cause breasts to sag. By trimming excess skin and tightening supporting tissue, breasts can be made to sit higher on the chest and be firmer to the touch. In addition, the nipple and areola can be repositioned or resized to further enhance breast appearance. Because a breast lift does not change breast size or volume, it is often combined with breast augmentation or breast reduction procedures.
Who is a candidate for a breast lift?
An eligible breast lift candidate is in good overall health, maintains a stable weight, and has realistic expectations about what breast lifts can do. A woman who chooses to undergo a breast lift has one or more of the following reasons:
- Breasts sag
- Breasts have lost shape or volume
- Breasts are flat or elongated
- Nipples or areolas point downward
- One breast is lower than the other
A woman planning to have (more) children might choose not to undergo a breast lift because pregnancy and nursing can counteract its benefits, leading them to want another operation later on.
How Is The Breast Lift Procedure Performed?
It is impossible to do a breast lift operation without leaving scars; however, after maturation of scars, they often are thin, flat, and may be difficult to see.
A breast lift is performed on an out-patient basis under general anesthesia, and usually takes 1 to 3 hours. Depending on the size and shape of the breasts, as well as the degree of sagging and amount of excess skin, one of the following types of incisions is often used:
- A circular scar around the areola
- A lollypop shape around the areola and down to the breast crease
- An anchor shape, beginning in the breast crease, and extending up to and around the areola
The first type of incision (above) is used for small breasts and leaves the least amount of scarring; the third type is used for breasts with significant sagging.
After the incisions are made, breast tissue is removed and reshaped to achieve the desired breast contour. The nipple and areola are usually moved higher on the breast or resized. Excess skin is trimmed to create a tighter, more defined appearance. Incisions are closed with stitches.
What Is Breast Lift Recovery Like?
During recovery from breast lift (mastopexy) women are usually encouraged to wear a bra continuously for about a week and then when not showering for several months. If there are stitches, they are removed after one to two weeks. Women usually return to light activities and work within a week and strenuous activities generally after approximately 4 weeks.
What Kind of Breast Lift Results Can I Expect?
Mastopexy produces immediate results. As swelling subsides and scars fade, breasts continue to improve in appearance. Patients who thoroughly discussed their goals prior to surgery, and had realistic expectations of what it could provide, report high satisfaction levels. Although the breasts are still subject to the effects of aging, breast lifts produce long-lasting results. Dr. Roth will spend time discussing your needs before any procedure.
What are the risks of a breast lift?
In addition to the usual risks associated with surgery and anesthesia, risks specific to breast lifts include the following:
- Temporary or permanent change in nipple/breast sensation
- Irregularities in breast contour/shape
- Asymmetry
- Partial or total loss of nipple/areola
Do breast lifts leave scarring?
Depending on the incision type used, a breast lift can produce visible scars. Although some incisions can be concealed in the natural breast contours, others cannot. In most cases, however, scars fade over time, becoming much less apparent.
Combining A Breast Augmentation With A Breast Lift
Mastopexy (breast lift) with breast augmentation is a combination procedure that lifts sagging breasts while increasing their size and enhancing their shape. Aging, pregnancy, weight loss and gravity can all cause breasts to sag. When sagging cannot be corrected by implants alone, augmentation mastopexy may be recommended. During mastopexy alone, excess skin is trimmed away, supporting tissue is tightened, the breasts are “lifted” to sit higher on the chest, and the nipple and areola are repositioned or resized. By adding augmentation with implants to the procedure, the breasts can also be made larger and firmer.
Recovery From Augmentation Mastopexy
For a few days following augmentation mastopexy, patients are likely to have bruising, soreness and swelling that may last for several weeks. Breasts are usually wrapped in an elastic bandage or a surgical bra for about a week; a support bra is then worn continuously for a month. Stitches are removed after 1 to 2 weeks. Most patients return to work within a week; exercise and other strenuous activity should be avoided until the surgeon believes the patient to be sufficiently healed
Risks Of Augmentation Mastopexy
In addition to the usual risks associated with surgery and anesthesia, risks specific to augmentation mastopexy include the following:
- Capsular contracture (hardening of scar tissue around implant)
- Implant leaks and ruptures
- Implant deflation or shifting
- Temporary or permanent change in nipple/breast sensation
- Irregularities in breast contour/shape
- Asymmetry
- Partial or total loss of nipple/areola
Depending on the incision type used, augmentation mastopexy can produce visible scars, although, in most cases, scars fade over time, becoming much less apparent.
Although there are instances in which they last much longer, breast implants have a risk of leaking, so women who want to maintain the size and shape of their breasts should expect to possibly undergo future surgeries to maintain results.
