Breast Lift

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy in medical terminology, is a procedure designed to lift the breast tissue and nipple to a higher, more youthful position. It is the removal of extra skin in the lower part of the breast and transfer of the nipple upward that achieves the lift. The nipple is not detached but repositioned where it belongs after the removal of excess skin surrounding it. The incisions are designed with every effort to keep the scars as unnoticeable as possible. In simplest terms, a breast lift removes extra skin, elevates the nipple, and encloses the same amount of breast tissue in a tighter, more shapely skin envelope.

Best Candidates

A woman may be a good candidate for breast lift when the following apply:

She is in good overall physical and psychological health
She is happy with the size of her breasts but not the position of them
She finds her breasts are acceptable in her bra but not when out of the bra

Circumstances that may cause a woman to consider breast lift include:

Pregnancies that have caused a loss of breast shape
Aging that has caused the breast skin to lose its elasticity
Fluctuations in weight that have caused the formation of excess skin
Hereditary predisposition to sagging breasts

If any of these circumstances apply to you and you are interested in this procedure, please call us today at 336-907-7980 or Contact Us to schedule a consultation.

Techniques

A breast lift can be performed through a variety of approaches depending upon the degree to which the breasts have sagged. The extent of sagging determines the amount of skin that needs to be removed. All of the techniques require some sort of incision on the breast in order to remove excess skin. A breast lift is designed to restore the height of the breasts in a more attractive position. The nipples are elevated to more youthful position as well.

The Surgery

The surgery is performed in an outpatient surgical facility. It usually requires general anesthesia and can often be completed in two hours or less. The incisions used are dependent upon the amount of skin that needs to be removed in order to achieve optimum results.

The lift may be accomplished with a limited incision that encircles the areola if the amount of droop is modest or less than one inch. When there is a medium amount of sagging, in which case the nipple is below the level of the breast fold but not pointing downward, an extension of the incision in a vertical direction down to the breast fold and possibly for a short distance in the fold will be needed. Severe sagging where the nipples point downward generally requires all of these incisions because a greater amount of skin must be removed to lift the breasts adequately.

After the removal of excess skin, the breasts are reshaped. The nipple complexes and breast tissue are tucked upward. The remaining skin is closed over the breast holding it in an elevated, more attractive position. The incisions are closed with sutures that are buried under the skin in order to minimize the appearance of the scars as much as possible.

Recovery

The recovery time for a breast lift is about four weeks. Most patients return to non-vigorous work in approximately one week. There will be swelling immediately following the surgery, but the new position and pleasing shape will be apparent right away. Some discomfort around the surgical incisions is normal for about 4 or 5 days with rapid improvement thereafter. Showering is usually permitted after a day or two. A sports bra should be worn for a few months for comfort and to avoid irritation of the scars.

Some discomfort and burning sensations for a few days, moderate swelling, itching, and areas of numbness are normal after surgery. You should call your doctor if you experience excessive, painful swelling in one of the breasts or fever greater than 101 degrees.

Risks

There are a number of risks associated with any surgery. These include bleeding, infection, scarring problems, healing problems, sensation loss, complications of anesthesia, and compromised blood flow to some of the breast tissues. Dr. Bowers will discuss these risks carefully and will make sure your questions are answered.

Costs

Costs for a breast lift vary slightly depending upon different factors. Our office manager will discuss costs and provide you with a written quote that includes the costs of surgery, anesthesia services, and surgical facility.

Combined Procedures

Breast lift can be combined safely with a number of procedures such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, face-lift, and eyelid surgery, but is most commonly performed in conjunction with breast augmentation. A breast lift does not increase the size of the breasts. If a woman desires improvement of both the position and size of her breasts, a combination of breast lift and breast augmentation may be appropriate.

Dr. Bowers will help you with this decision process at the time of your consultation. Please call us at 336-907-7980 or Contact Us today.

Get in Touch

Phone: 336-907-7980

1002 North Church Street, Suite 203

Greensboro, NC 27401

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