Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
What is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a procedure to improve sagging or drooping breasts. This is called breast ptosis. Women may experience sagging breasts as well as deflated breasts. This can include losing breast volume and may lead to just sagging “empty” skin. There are multiple factors contributing to this very common issue.
What are the Reasons a Breast Lift May Be Necessary?
Factors which may contribute to sagging breasts include:
Benefits of a Breast Lift
A breast lift will change the shape of your breasts to improve their appearance, making them fuller and higher on the chest. This properly positions the breasts on the chest. When the breasts begin to droop, the nipple and areolae tend to sag below the level of the breast crease and the nipples may point downward as well. This can be corrected by relocating the areolae and nipples higher on the breasts. It may also improve the firmness of the breasts.
Types of Breast Lifts
There are three common types of breast lift procedures. Each one requires the removal of some of the breast skin and the restoration and repositioning of the nipple and areolae. As with any plastic surgery, no single procedure is right for everyone. Your consultation with Dr. Fisher will determine which procedure is right for you.
The various types of breast lifts include:
What Our Patient Have to Say
“I had a consultation with Dr Fisher for a breast lift and augmentation. She exceeded my expectations in her consult with me…she took her time and listened to what I wanted. She did the surgery and everything turned out just as we had talked about. Perfect!!!”
Breast Lift With Breast Augmentation
If your breasts are very deflated in addition to sagging, a breast lift alone will not improve firmness and volume. Also, if you are looking for breast fullness or roundness high on the chest, or an “enhanced look”, a breast lift alone will not give you the result you seek. The actual volume of your breasts stays about the same, but the 3D shape changes. If you aren’t pleased with the overall size and volume of your breasts, breast augmentation might be the right procedure for you (using a breast implant). Sometimes these procedures can be performed at the same time. However, not everyone is a candidate for this because by doing both procedures at once, there is an increased rate of complications.
Mastopexy Procedure
This also depends on the degree of sagging and the amount of excess skin. After the incisions are made, Dr. Fisher removes the breast tissue and reshapes it to achieve the desired breast contour. The nipple and areola are usually moved to a higher position on the breast or resized.
Dr. Fisher trims any excess skin for a tighter, more defined appearance. Lastly, incisions are closed with stitches.
How Long Does a Breast Lift Procedure Take?
The procedure usually takes 1 to 3 hours depending on the size and shape of the breasts.
Does a Breast Lift Require Anesthesia?
Mastopexy is an outpatient procedure that requires general anesthesia.
Breast Lift Recovery
For a few days after breast lift surgery, patients are likely to have bruising, soreness, and swelling. The patient’s breasts will be in an elastic bandage or a surgical bra for about a week. A support bra is also worn continuously for a month after. Dr. Fisher removes stitches after 1 to 2 weeks. Patients typically return to work within a week. Patients should avoid exercise and other strenuous activity for about a month.
Mastopexy Before & After
Before & After of a real patient – Mastopexy with Breast Implants
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If you are interested in learning more about the Breast Lift (Mastopexy) procedure, contact our Palo Alto, CA office today at 650.460.7260. Our practice, Elite Transformations, is located in the San Francisco Bay Area.
