What is a Breast Lift?

Also known as mastopexy, a breast lift raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted.

A woman’s breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:

• Pregnancy

• Breastfeeding

• Weight fluctuations

• Aging

• Gravity

• Heredity

Is It Right for Me?

Breast lift surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. A breast lift is a good option for you if:

• You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight

• You do not smoke

• You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag or have lost shape and volume.

• Your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous

• When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease

• Your nipples and areolas point downward

• You have stretched skin and enlarged areolas

• One breast is lower than the other

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The Procedure:

Your breast lift surgery can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques. The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:

• Breast size and shape

• The size and position of your areolas

• The degree of breast sagging

• Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin

 

Step 1 – Anesthesia:
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

 

Step 2 – The Incision:

There are three common incision patterns:

Around the areola

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Around the areola and vertically down from the crease

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Around the areola, down from the areola to the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease

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Step 3 – Reshaping Your Breasts:
After your doctor makes the incisions:

• The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness.

• The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height.

• If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.

• Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.

 

Step 4 – Closing the Incisions:
After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed. Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.

Many women desire the smallest scar possible. However, your plastic surgeon will recommend the incisions that best suit your anatomy. Listen to your surgeon and do not diminish your result by demanding an incision that will not be appropriate for you.

Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.

Step 5 – See Results:
The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for breasts that have been restored to a more youthful and uplifted position.

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Click here to read safety information about this procedure.