The goal of breast lift surgery is improvement in the appearance of sagging or drooping breasts. This breast condition is known medically as ptosis. It can be caused by heredity, aging, gravity, pregnancy, and significant weight loss. Breast lifts or mastopexy procedures correct this deflated appearance, and are often combined with breast implants to increase both the positioning and volume of the breasts during the same surgical procedure.
Breast Lift Candidates
Breast lift surgery is intended for women with breasts that lack firmness and sag downwards. If you feel that there is too much skin for your breast volume, you may benefit from this procedure. Though mastopexy procedures can be performed on adult women of any age, surgeons recommend waiting until after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planned weight loss, which are likely to change the shape of the breasts.
The Breast Lift Procedure
Breast lifts typically require general anesthesia and require two to three hours to perform. First, the surgeon creates an incision. There are several incision methods that may be used by your surgeon. The Benelli or peri-areolar lift, also known as concentric mastopexy, uses an incision around the areola. The least likely to leave noticeable scars, it can limit the surgeon's ability to remove excess skin. Vertical mastopexy includes an additional incision from the areola to the crease under the breast, and allows for the removal of more excess skin. Anchor-shaped or keyhole breast lifts also require a horizontal incision along this crease. It is typically used when a breast lift is combined with breast augmentation, or in order to correct extensive drooping.
These incisions allow for the removal of excess skin, as well as the lifting of breast tissue to a higher position on the chest. The surgeon's goal during a breast lift is to leave patients with firmer, perkier, and younger-looking breasts. If you have chosen to increase the size of your breasts during this procedure, breast implants will be added. Finally, the surgeon sculpts the breast tissue to the desired contours and closes the incsions with sutures.
Recovery
Following breast lift surgery, most patients plan to spend one to two weeks recovering before returning to work and other obligations. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting must be avoided for six weeks. During the recovery time, a surgical bra supports the breasts as they adjust to their new position. Common side effects during this time include soreness or tenderness in the breasts, swelling, and bruising.
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