Also known as mastopexy, breast lift surgery restores the shape and firmness of droopy breasts. As women age, skin and breast tissue begin to sag, making breasts appear deflated. Breast lift surgery removes excess skin and breast tissue, giving breasts a firmer texture and lifting them higher on the body to restore youthful perkiness. A breast lift procedure may be performed in conjunction with breast augmentation in order to lift the breasts and increase breast volume simultaneously.
Consultation
There are different types of breast lift procedures that may be utilized in breast lift surgery. Dr. Graivier will explain what procedure will work best with your breast shape and body type. Most breast lift patients will undergo the standard breast lift surgery technique, which can correct sagging breasts of all sizes. This technique will leave an anchor-shaped scar on the breast, around the areola, descending from the nipple and across the breast crease. If you have small breasts and only moderate sagging, you may be a candidate for a less invasive form of breast lift surgery called a doughnut mastopexy. Contact Dr. Graivier’s office to discuss whether you may be a candidate for this procedure.
During the consultation, Dr. Graivier will also discuss the possible risks and complications of breast lift surgery. Breast lift risks include the loss of sensation around the nipple and breast, difficulty breastfeeding, and the possibility of significant scarring. The degree of scarring will depend on how your body and skin heals; however, most women find that scars decrease significantly over time regardless of their initial severity. Complications after breast lift surgery are generally rare, and most patients are pleased with the more youthful appearance of their breasts after surgery despite scarring.
Before Surgery
As with other surgeries, Dr. Graivier asks that breast lift patients stop taking aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications 10 days prior to surgery. Patients should also stop smoking for three weeks before and after surgery.
On the day of your surgery, a companion should drive you to your appointment. Because breast lift surgery requires the use of general anesthesia, you will not be able to drive yourself home after the procedure.
The Procedure
Breast lift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis while the patient is under general anesthesia. During a standard breast lift surgery, three separate incisions are made: around the nipple, vertically from the nipple to the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast crease. Skin and tissue below the nipple is removed, and the nipple is repositioned higher on the breast. After reshaping the breast with the remaining skin, Dr. Graivier will carefully close the incision with sutures.
Recovery
After breast lift surgery, you may experience initial discomfort and swelling during the first two weeks. Dr. Graivier will prescribe pain medication and antibiotics for you during this time to make sure you are comfortable and to decrease the risk of infection. After surgery, you will wear a surgical bra for several weeks to protect your sutures and support your newly lifted breasts.
Over the next weeks and months, you will return to our office several times so we can make sure your recovery goes smoothly. Most patients return to work after about a week, and sutures are removed between one and two weeks. It is important to remember that scars will fade more and more after surgery; however, they will be permanent. If you do not experience major weight fluctuations or pregnancy, a breast lift procedure should create breasts that maintain their youthful perkiness for many years to come. Occasionally, breasts will begin to sag again as gravity and aging take their toll; however, it is possible to have more than one breast lift procedure to maintain the youthful results you desire.
