FAQ Breast Lift Surgery Questions & Answers (Q&A) (FAQ Mastopexy) |
Here we compiled the answers to your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Breast Lift cosmetic surgeries by Dr. Fara Movagharnia.
If you could not find your answer, please email Dr. Fara or call up CCRS at
770-951-7595 to book a complimentary consultation.
Breast Lift Pre-surgery Q&A?
Who is the ideal candidate for Mastopexy (Breast Lift Plastic Surgery)?
In general, the best candidates for breast lift surgery are women:
- 18 years of age or older
- With stretched skin
- With less breast volume than they had in previous years
- Not intending to lose a great deal of weight, get pregnant, or breastfeed
- Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- In good health
- Wanting to improve their appearance
- Realistic in their expectations
The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your surgeon will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is
appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your surgeon if he/she considers you an ideal candidate for breast lift surgery.
How is breast lift plastic surgery (Mastopexy) done?
Several different techniques can be used during breast lift surgery, depending on the degree of sagging that you experience.
Breast lift surgery consists of removing excess skin from around the areola, and possibly also from the bottom of the breast,
and then tightening the skin. The insertion of breast implants for additional volume and smoothing of the skin may also be
required for an optimal outcome. With these surgical steps, the position of the nipple, areola, and breasts can be elevated
to a more youthful position.
The specific breast lift techniques may vary, but they generally fall into two categories: the concentric (or doughnut)
Mastopexy for women with smaller and less droopy breasts, and the more common anchor-shaped Mastopexy. In general, the
more tissue that is cut, the more shaping that is possible. For women who experience extensive sagging, the skin has
stretched so much that a smaller incision will not remove enough tissue to lift the breast. In these cases, the larger
incision is necessary.
The Concentric (doughnut) Breast Lift surgery:
For women with smaller and less severely drooping breasts, this procedure (which requires fewer incisions) may be possible.
In some instances, the physician may administer a local anesthesia with a sedative instead of general anesthesia.
Concentric circles (like a doughnut) around the areola are drawn and cut. The doughnut-shaped skin around the areola is
removed and the nipple and areola repositioned higher. Then, the outer skin is stitched around the areola. Sometimes the
skin that is sewn to the areola may wrinkle because there is more skin than needed. Often, the wrinkling will subside in
just a few weeks to months after surgery as the skin envelope adapts to the new shape and weight of the tissues.
If your surgeon does not think that this technique will produce the desired results, he/she may instead elect to make a cut
that descends from the areola down to the bottom fold of the breast where it meets the chest. A strip of skin is removed
along this cut and the two sides stitched together. Even with this additional vertical cut, these breast lift scars are
less extensive than the more common anchor-shaped breast lift.
Anchor-shaped Breast Lift surgery:
For women with larger or more severely drooping, sagging breasts, the anchor-shaped breast lift surgery is more effective.
The physician will draw a key-hole shape above the nipple and areola. At the bottom of the key-hole, he/she will draw an
anchor shape from the right to the left side of the breast.
The skin in the (upper cross-hatched) area of the "anchor" will be removed along with some excess breast tissue. The nipple
and areola are moved up to the (lower cross-hatched) "key-hole," then the skin is sutured around the areola, vertically down
to the chest, and side to side along the newly-created bottom fold of the breast.
What are the most common benefits of breast lift plastic surgery (Mastopexy)?
A breast lift can successfully reposition saggy, droopy breasts into firmer, shapelier ones that are located higher on a
woman's chest. As a result, a better-proportioned body is produced, enhancing the patient's appearance and potentially
elevating her self-esteem.
What can I expect after a breast lift cosmetic surgery (Mastopexy)?
After the operation, you will notice an immediate and dramatic change in the shape of your breasts. Most women are very pleased
with what they see after surgery. Some numbness is normal after surgery and may persist permanently.
What is the recovery period of Mastopexy like?
Your breasts will probably be sore for three to five days. The pain is greatest within the first 48 hours, but improves with
each day and can typically be relieved by pain medications.
The gauze dressing will be removed after a couple of days, and the stitches are removed about two weeks after breast lift
surgery, if any non absorbable sutures are used. Otherwise, all sutures are absorbable. Your breasts will be bruised, and
you may experience temporary numbness around the nipples as well as random shooting pains. These conditions generally subside
within several weeks.
For the first few days, you need to limit your activities and movement in order to prevent breaking the stitches and stretching
the breast lift scars. Most women can return to work about two weeks later, although overhead lifting and strenuous movements
should be avoided for several weeks to ensure proper healing. Your physician will provide you with a schedule for resuming your
normal routines.
You will wear a surgical bra that supplies support to your breasts for a few weeks to a couple of months after your breast lift
surgery (an under wire bra is not recommended for 3 months, as it may cause a blister on the delicate postoperative tissues).
Most bruising, swelling, pain, and loss of sensation should subside within three to six weeks. However, it may take up to a year
for your breasts to settle completely into their new look and feel. Over time, your breast lift scars will fade but may remain
red and bumpy for many months.
Finally, you should continue with monthly self-examinations for breast cancer as well as regular mammograms as advised by your
doctor.
What is the long-term outcome like for most people?
After the surgery, the breasts are fuller and shapelier. Breast lift surgery generally yields faint lines where the surgical
incisions were made. You may also notice slight size or shape differences between your breasts. It is important to keep in mind
that the body is never completely symmetrical.
A breast lift will not keep you firm forever. Your breasts, however, will be more youthful and full than they would have been
without the surgery. The effects of gravity, pregnancy, and weight changes will continue to affect your breasts over time.
Breast Lift surgery (Mastopexy) risks:
No surgical procedure is completely risk-free. There is the potential for complications associated with any surgery involving
anesthesia, including complications such as bleeding, and infection. The patient is also susceptible to:
- Permanent and noticeable scarring
- Unevenly aligned nipples, mismatched breasts
- Sores or numbness around the nipples
- Dead tissue around the nipple and areola (rare)
Perhaps the most common risks are the quality of healing and your acceptance of the resulting scars. With a breast lift, the
most significant tradeoff for better-positioned breasts is the appearance and permanence of the surgical scars that may take
some time before they flatten and become pale.
Be sure to:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements)
- Tell your doctor about all medications, herbal supplements or natural supplements you are taking (both prescription and
non-prescription)
- Carefully follow any instructions your surgeon gives you regarding eating and drinking, smoking, and vitamins
- Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines for two weeks prior to surgery
- Arrange for someone to drive you to and from the hospital
- Try to schedule surgery at a time other than during your menstrual period
Do I Still Need a Breast Lift surgery if I get Implants?
Breast implants replenish the lost volume of a sagging breast. Although implants fill the breasts, they result in
only a very minimal lift if any, depending on the extent of skin laxity. Therefore, the premise that by choosing a
bigger breast implant you can avoid the need for a breast lift is not correct.
Does a breast lift surgery affect the look of the nipple-areola complex?
As the breasts sag the nipple-areola complex (NAC) also stretches and gets larger. It is customary to reduce the
size of the areola during a breast lift or Mastopexy procedure to that of a normal sized areola which has a diameter
of approximately 1.5-2 inches.
Does wearing a bra prevent breast Ptosis or sagging?
Although the sagging of breasts depend on a multitude of factors, in women with large and heavy breasts who
wear bra support will prevent excessive stretching of the Cooper's Ligaments, thus diminishing the extend of
sagging.
Does breast feeding cause breast Ptosis or sagging?
Breast feeding by itself does not cause Ptosis, but the enlargement and heaviness of the breasts followed by the
drying of the milk causes stretching of the breasts which can cause them to sag.
How Will Mastopexy (Breast Lift surgery)Alter My Breast Size?
As a rule, a Breast Lift will reduce the size of your breasts significantly unless reduction is also done. This is due
to the removal of excess breast skin, which itself carries a certain volume. To compensate for the lost breast volume
you may then consider having an implant placed along with your Breast Lift. There are many factors to consider,
such as your original breast size, what you consider most attractive and your surgeon's suggestion of what size
breasts are most proportionate for your body.
Does Mastopexy affect a woman’s ability to Breast Feed?
Considering that most types of breast lift or Mastopexy do not disconnect the nipple from its roots, a woman
should be able to maintain her breast feeding ability after a lift. Never the less, a Mastopexy can alter a woman’s
breast feeding ability and sensation if the surgery requires cutting into or manipulating the tissue located directly
under the nipple-areola complex.
Mammogram and Breast Self-Examination
Mastopexy does neither alter your ability for breast self-examination, nor is it a hindrance to have a
mammogram. Most surgeons recommend that you get a mammogram before or six months after your Mastopexy in
order to establish a baseline.
Can the areola size be reduced with a Mastopexy (Breast Lift surgery)?
Most definitely. The diameter and size of a stretched-out areola can be reduced via a Periareola or an inverted–
T Mastopexy.
Breast Lift Post-surgery Q&A?
Can a Breast Lift Be Performed with Other Procedures?
Yes. Often, your cosmetic surgeon will determine that the optimal effect will be achieved when the lift is
combined with the placement of a breast implant — Augmentopexy. This combination will give you the lift and
the fullness needed for a more proportional figure and can minimizes your scar also.
Mastopexy can be combined with other procedures, as well. It is not uncommon for women who had breast
implants at an early age, and now need to have their breast lifted, want to change the size or type of their breast
implant to better fit their current figure and life style. In this situation a breast implant exchange can be performed
simultaneously with a breast lift. Some plastic surgeons recommend performing these two procedures at a separate
time, for fear of scar getting wide due to the pressure of the implant, but both are done together by me many times.
There are some women who have developed Capsular Contracture or tight scarring around their implants which
makes their implants hard and painful. When performing a Capsulectomy in order to remove the hard capsule it is
sometime necessary to further shape and lift the breast, thus requiring a Mastopexy at the same setting.
Finally, there are women who have had gained and lost much weight with their pregnancy, resulting in sagging
breasts and abdominal folds. These women often opt to undergo a tummy tuck or Abdominoplasty at the same
time of a Mastopexy or Augmentopexy.
What Is a Nipple Lift?
A Nipple lift is nothing other than a crescent Mastopexy. In this procedure a crescent shaped section of excess
breast Skin is removed above the areola. The nipple-areola complex is then pulled upward to a new position and
sutured into place. One disadvantage of this procedure is that the areola may become somewhat elongated and scar
can become distorted.
what is the best Breast lift plastic surgery in Atlanta GA Marietta? CCRS Atlanta
who is the best Breast lift plastic surgeon in atlanta GA marietta? Dr. Fara Movagharnia
Breast Lift without implants
Breast lift or Mastopexy can be performed without having to also have breast implants. But you have to be
aware that a breast lift can reduce the size of the breast by about a cup size. If your breasts are just a little too big,
then a breast lift will also reduce their volume to an ideal size. On the other hand, if your breasts are currently just a
little too small, a Mastopexy will make them even smaller. You might then consider having an Augmentopexy.
Is the Effect of A Breast Lift Permanent?
No. As with any other body part, gravity, pregnancy and aging take their effect, even on breasts that have been
lifted. In some cases, women may opt for another procedure some years hence. A Breast Lift combined with an
implant is generally sagging faster due to heaviness.
How long does a Mastopexy (Breast Lift cosmetic surgery) last?
Any surgery can not be considered permanent as far as gravity goes. Gravity will prevail and you will sag.
Although, patients can attempt to slow the process by wearing support bras, staying out of the sun and healthy
eating. Whatever the case, a woman's breast tissue, in 95% of cases, will sag eventually. Regardless of having
had Mastopexy, a breast will sag again. It may be years from now, but you may need an additional Mastopexy,
depending on your habits of bra wearing, this may be slower. The type of a breast lift also affects the longevity of
your lift. Usually, an Inverted–T Mastopexy will have a more lasting result than a Benelli Periareola Mastopexy.
The size and weight of your breasts also affect the natural progression of sagging. The heavier your breasts are, or
the larger the implants, the faster your breasts can sag, if you don’t wear adequate breast support. Finally, the
elasticity of your skin and breast tissue impacts the rate of their sagging. Women who have thin and sun damaged
breast skin with many stretch marks have very poor skin and breast elasticity and will need a revision breast lift
sooner.
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