Breast Lift

What is breast lift (mastopexy) surgery?

Breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, is done to raise and reshape sagging breast and nipples, restoring their youthful shape and appearance. Breast lift surgery does not usually reduce the size of the breast, but breast tissue can be removed when performing mastopexy. Breast lift surgery can also be combined with breast augmentation with implants as well. There are several different techniques in performing breast lift surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Glick and you will discuss which mastopexy technique is the right one for you.

What causes breasts to sag?

Various natural factors such as aging, pregnancy, nursing, weight gain or loss, and gravity produce changes in the appearance of a woman’s breasts. Depending on your genetic make-up and lifestyle, these factors will affect different women in different ways throughout their lifetimes. As the skin and breast tissues lose their tone and elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and volume, and begin to sag.

Am I the right candidate for breast lift surgery?

The best candidates for breast lift surgery are relatively healthy women whose breasts have begun to sag. Many healthy women experience this dramatic loss of shape and volume due to their pregnancy and nursing. Dr. Glick will carefully consult with you on how to optimize your results, giving your breasts the most natural, elegant, and youthful look. After careful evaluation of your breasts, Dr. Glick will consult with you on which technique is best for you.

THE BREAST LIFT SURGERY PROCEDURE

Initial Consultation Prior to Breast Lift Surgery

At your initial consultation, Dr. Glick and you will carefully discuss your aesthetic concerns with regard to your breasts, and define a tailored plan to improve their shape, size, and overall appearance. Your goals and expectations will be carefully considered and clarified. Your medical and surgical history will be reviewed in detail, and a physical examination will be conducted. Depending on your aesthetic concerns and anatomy, Dr. Glick will advise you which type of mastopexy surgery technique is best for you.

Preparation for Breast Lift Surgery

Breast Lift surgery is major surgery and appropriate preparation is needed accordingly. Dr. Glick may request that you visit your private medical doctor for a check-up and for any necessary lab work, x-rays, and mammogram or other breast imaging.

Precise preoperative instructions will be reviewed, and all necessary prescriptions will be given to you in advance of your breast lift surgery. You will be instructed to avoid smoking, blood thinning medications, and all aspirin, aspirin-containing products, and anti-inflammatory products (Advil® or ibuprofen, and Aleve®) at least ten days before surgery. In order to promote optimal healing, a complete and comprehensive preoperative instructions will be provided for you, detailing which medications to avoid, and which vitamins , minerals, and homeopathic preparations are ok to take prior to and after breast lift surgery. For your own safety and comfort you will need to designate a chaperon/care taker that can escort you home after the procedure. You should plan to have some help with house-hold chores, such as cooking and cleaning, as these activities are fairly difficult in the immediate postoperative period. Get plenty of rest, and dress in comfortable layered clothing.

What Type of Anesthesia do you need for breast lift surgery?

Breast lift surgery is an ambulatory surgery procedure that is usually performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Glick and our Board-certified anesthesiologists will extensively discuss all aspects of anesthesia with you, and help you make the necessary decisions for your mastopexy surgery.

How does Dr. Glick do a breast lift?

There are several different techniques for performing breast lift surgery. Although they differ in various ways, all breast lift surgery procedures attempt to rearrange the breast tissues without changing the size of the breast. Removal of excess skin and tightening of the remaining skin of the breast, to produce a more perky and youthful breast is usually done as well. The incision lines, and thus scars, are hidden in inconspicuous places, and are well concealed beneath a swimsuit or bra. The nipple is repositioned, and the areola is also reduced in diameter by excising skin at the perimeter, if necessary. The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped, rejuvenating your bust line. After careful consultation, Dr. Glick will help you decide on the best mastopexy surgery technique to optimize your results.

Recovery and the Postoperative Period

Dr. Glick’s breast lift surgery is an outpatient procedure that requires only a short rest in our comfortable recovery suite. No overnight stay is needed after breast lift surgery. Once surgery is completed, you will recover fully from the effects of anesthesia, and be escorted home with your designated caregiver. Dr. Glick will instruct you thoroughly on your postoperative regimen and recovery period. You may have surgical drains and a surgical brazier. You will be encouraged to stay as active as possible at home for several days while maintaining appropriate positioning and posture. In most cases the bruising is minimal and resolves after the first week, at which time the drains are removed. Most patients return to work and social activities after only several days. Dr. Glick recommends avoidance of strenuous physical exercise for approximately 6 weeks following breast lift surgery. As always, you are encouraged to stay active, eat a healthy diet, and exercise as tolerated. Dr. Glick and our medical team will closely follow up with you to make sure that your healing is going well.

Results of Breast Lift Surgery

The results of mastopexy surgery are more projected and proportional breasts. Your clothes may fit differently, and you may need new bras. In fact, many women enjoy the ability to be braless as well. You will experience a new energy and increased level of physical activity. Breast lift surgery results are permanent, though various lifestyle and hereditary factors may impact on your long-term results. Dr. Glick’s encourages maintenance of the mastopexy results with an appropriate fitness level and healthy diet.

What about breast cancer? Are there any risks after breast lift surgery?

Breast lift surgery has no known effect on breast cancer. That is, we do not know the risk of breast cancer is reduced or increased because of breast lift surgery. Breast lift surgery does NOT reduce the incidence of breast cancer, as there is a definite risk for future breast cancer in reduced breasts, as there would have been had the breasts not been reduced. The take-home lesson is that after breast lift, you must continue with your breast cancer screening regimen, as if surgery was never done. This includes regular breast self-examination, as well as periodic check-ups with your breast surgeon or physician, and regular mammography or other breast imaging as determined by your breast surgeon.

After breast lift surgery, there may be areas in the breasts that may pose significant difficulties in acquisition and interpretation of mammographic data. As breast lift becomes part of your surgical history, you must alert all healthcare personnel of this surgical history, so that they can adjust their radiological technique and provide the best information with regards to your breast cancer screening regimen.

What about breast feeding?

It is not unusual for a breast lift surgery patient to experience difficulties in breast feeding. There is no way to predict which patients may or may not have these problems. Of note, there is a subset of the female population that has problems with nursing regardless of whether or not they have had breast surgery. The ability to produce and express mammary milk is completely unpredictable, and problems with these abilities may still be encountered despite our best efforts to avoid future complications.

How much does breast lift surgery cost?

Breast lift surgery costs vary depending on exactly what technique is used. This will be outlined in detail during your consultation with Dr. Glick. Additionally, we offer excellent no-interest financing options.

What are Dr. Glick’s patients saying after breast lift surgery?

Dr. Glick’s breast lift surgery patients are thrilled with their perky, projected, and proportional new breasts. Read what they have to say about the benefits of being a patient at Dr. Glick’s Plastic Surgery.