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Plastic Surgery
Procedures
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Breast Lift
Breast Lift
Often, pregnancy or nursing stretches breast
skin, causing breasts to sag or become
pendulous. Excessive weight gain or loss or
the natural aging process can also take its
toll. But there is no reason for a woman to
hide behind a droopy bust line. Breast lift,
or mastopexy, can take years off a woman's
body by creating a firmer, and tighter bust
line and more voluminous breasts.
During breast lift surgery Dr. Berardi trims
away excess tissue and skin, and remaining
tissue and skin are tightened and lifted. In
some cases, the areola is reduced in size,
making it more proportionate to the reshaped
breasts. Breast lift, which is often
performed in conjunction with breast
augmentation, is not permanent; gravity, age,
and additional pregnancies can affect results
over time, but effects are still very
satisfying for the vast majority of patients.
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Frequently Asked Questions |
Am I a good
candidate for a breast lift?
You may be a
good candidate for breast lift surgery if you
have one or more of the following conditions:
-
breasts that are pendulous, but of
satisfactory size
-
breasts that lack substance or firmness
-
nipples and areolas that point downward,
especially if they are positioned below
the breast crease
A breast lift can be performed at any age,
but plastic surgeons usually recommend
waiting until breast development has stopped.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding may have
significant and unpredictable effects on the
size and shape of your breasts. Nevertheless,
many women decide to undergo breast lift
surgery before having children and feel that
they can address any subsequent changes
later. Since the milk ducts and nipples are
left intact, breast lift surgery usually will
not affect your ability to breast-feed;
however, you should discuss this with your
plastic surgeon.
Will my insurance
help cover the cost of surgery?
Breast lift
surgery, as an aesthetic (cosmetic)
procedure, generally is not covered by
insurance. Under
certain circumstances, however, insurance
coverage may be available. For example, if a
breast reconstruction after mastectomy is
performed, the opposite breast may need to be
modified for symmetry. Many factors determine
your eligibility for coverage, including the
specific terms of your insurance policy. A
letter of predetermination may be required by
your insurance company prior to surgery. Your
plastic surgeon or a staff member in your
surgeon's office will discuss these matters
with you.
Where
are the incisions placed?
A common method
of lifting the breasts involves three
incisions. One incision is made around the
areola. Another runs vertically from the
bottom edge of the areola to the crease
underneath the breast. The third incision is
horizontal beneath the breast and follows the
natural curve of the breast crease.
After the plastic surgeon has removed excess
breast skin, the nipple and areola are
shifted to a higher position. The areola,
which in a sagging breast may have been
stretched, can be reduced in size. Skin that
was formerly located above the areola is
brought down and together beneath it to
reshape the breast. The nipples and areolas
remain attached to underlying mounds of
tissue, and this usually allows for the
preservation of sensation and the ability to
breast-feed.
What are some variations to the common breast
lifting technique?
There are many variations to the design of
the incisions for breast lift surgery. The
size and shape of your breasts, size of your
areolas, and extent of sagging are factors
that will help your plastic surgeon determine
the best technique for you.
In some instances, it may be possible to
avoid the horizontal incision beneath the
breast. Sometimes a technique may be used
that avoids this horizontal incision as well
as the vertical incision that runs from the
bottom edge of the areola to the breast
crease.
If you and your plastic surgeon have decided
that it is desirable to enlarge your breasts
at the same time as they are lifted, this
will require insertion of breast implants. If
this is an option that you wish to consider,
your surgeon will review the necessary
information with you and may provide you with
a brochure on breast augmentation.
How will I look and
feel initially?
The day after
surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of
bed for short periods of time. After several
days, you should be able to move about more
comfortably. Straining, bending and lifting
must be avoided, however, since these
activities might cause increased swelling or
even bleeding. You may be instructed to sleep
on your back to avoid pressure on your
breasts.
Any surgical drains will be removed within a
few days of surgery, at which time your
dressings may also be changed or removed. You
may be instructed to wear a support bra for a
few weeks, until the swelling and
discoloration of your breasts diminish.
Generally, stitches will be removed in stages
over a period of approximately three weeks,
beginning about one week after surgery.
You may notice that you feel less sensation
in the nipple and areola areas. This is
usually temporary. It may, however, take
weeks, months or even more than a year before
sensation returns to normal. Your breasts may
also require some time to assume a more
natural shape. Incisions will initially be
red or pink in color. They will remain this
way for many months following surgery.
When can I resume my
normal activities?
After breast
lift surgery, it is often possible to return
to work within a week or so, depending on
your job. In many instances, you can resume
most of your normal activities, including
some form of mild exercise, after several
weeks. You may continue to experience some
mild, periodic discomfort during this time,
but such feelings are normal. Severe pain
should be reported to your doctor.
Any sexual activity should be avoided for a
minimum of one or two weeks, and your plastic
surgeon may advise you to wait longer. After
that, care must be taken to be extremely
gentle with your breasts for at least the
next several weeks.
How long will the results last?
Unless you gain or lose a significant amount
of weight or become pregnant, your new breast
shape should remain fairly constant. However,
gravity and the effects of aging will
eventually alter the size and shape of
virtually every woman's breasts. If, after a
period of years, you again become
dissatisfied with the appearance of your
breasts, you may choose to undergo a second
breast lift procedure to restore their more
youthful contour and appearance.
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