Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
| Breast Lift Cost Approximate Cost : $4,000 – $6,000 Recovery: 1 – 2 weeks Possible complications: Bruising and numbness is common, rare risk of: infection, assymetry, permanent numbness, raised scarring. |
Mastopexy or breast lift surgery refers to a group of elective surgical operations designed to lift or change the shape of a person’s breasts. Mastopexy may involve repositioning the areola and nipple, as well as lifting the breast tissue and removing skin. Mastopexy may be performed alone, or in combination with placement of breast implants; when implants are used, the procedure is typically called breast augmentation. The change that a mastopexy affords to the position, shape and distribution of existing breast tissue is temporary, as the effects of gravity and aging continue, causing ptosis to recur over time.
Procedures
Full breast lift
The full breast lift involves an incision along the crease underneath the breast, incisions around the areola, and a vertical incision between the areola and the base of the breast. This incision is sometimes called an anchor incision or inverted T. This traditional technique is widely used because it consistently produces the desired shape and position of the breast on the chest wall. In this technique, excess skin is removed, the breast is elevated and frequently, the size of the areola is reduced. This approach allows maximal change to the breast.
The scar is in three distinct locations that each have a characteristic pattern of healing. In the peri-areolar area, scarring is partially concealed by the change in color at the transition from breast skin to the pigmented skin of the areola. The vertical incision from the areola to the crease may be hidden in shadow. The inframammary portion of the scar, along the fold created by the breast is often the thickest of the scars, but it may be hidden in the inframammary fold. The scars fade over time but remain visible in most cases.
Modified breast lifts
Modified or limited breast lifts were developed to produce the intended results with less scarring. These techniques use fewer incisions. The potential drawback is that there can be less change made to the breast’s shape. Modified mastopexies are frequently done together with breast augmentation.
A popular form of the modified breast lift is the Benelli breast lift, otherwise known as the concentric mastopexy or donut lift. In this procedure, a ring of skin is removed from around the areola, limiting the scar to this area. A modified version is the crescent lift. This technique also removes a ring of tissue from around the areola, but more tissue is taken from the area above the areola, raising the nipple and areola on the chest wall. Another technique, the lollipop lift involves an incision around the nipple and areola, with a vertical scar extending to the crease underneath the breast. Another variation involves the “donut lift” together with the removal of excess skin from underneath the breast.
The Best Candidates for Breast Lift :
The best candidates for mastopexy are healthy, emotionally-stable women who are realistic about what the surgery can accomplish. The best results are usually achieved in women with small, sagging breasts. Breasts of any size can be lifted, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts. Many women seek mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing have left them with stretched skin and less volume in their breasts. However, if you’re planning to have more children, it may be a good idea to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn’t interfere with breast-feeding), pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again and offset the results of the procedure.
The Surgery :
Mastopexy usually takes one and a half to three and a half hours.
Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast. The incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to reshape the breast. Stitches are usually located around the areola, in a vertical line extending downwards from the nipple area, and along the lower crease of the breast.
Some clients, especially those with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions. One such procedure is the “doughnut (or concentric) mastopexy,” in which circular incisions are made around the areola, and a doughnut-shaped area of skin is removed. If you’re having an implant inserted along with your breast lift, it will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue, or deeper, under the muscle of the chest wall.
After Your Surgery :
After surgery, you’ll wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn’t be severe. Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved with medications prescribed by your surgeon.
Within a few days, the bandages or surgical bra will be replaced by a soft support bra. You’ll need to wear this bra around the clock for three to four weeks, over a layer of gauze. The stitches will be removed after a week or two. If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day. Be careful not to tug at your skin in the process, and keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas.
You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by the swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. In some patients, however, it may last a year or more, and occasionally it may be permanent.
The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
Be careful :
Following your Doctors instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing.
Getting Back to Normal :
Healing is a gradual process. Although you may be up and about in a day or two, don’t plan on returning to work for a week or more, depending on how you feel. And avoid lifting anything over your head for three to four weeks. If you have any unusual symptoms, don’t hesitate to call Your offices. Doctor, they will give you detailed instructions for resuming your normal activities. You may be instructed to avoid sex for a week or more, and to avoid strenuous sports for about a month. After that, you can resume these activities slowly. If you become pregnant, the operation should not affect your ability to breast-feed, since your milk ducts and nipples will be left intact.
41 Responses to “Breast Lift (Mastopexy)”
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