Breast lift surgery improves the shape and position of a woman’s breasts.
Breast lift surgery improves the shape and position of a woman’s breasts.
Women who are dissatisfied by sagging or loose breasts because of pregnancy, weight loss, or natural aging can be helped by a this surgical technique called a breast lift or mastopexy. The procedure elevates and reshapes the breast while sometimes reducing the size of the areola. A breast lift is often performed in conjunction with breast augmentation, a surgery designed to enlarge the breasts.
A complete medical history is taken and a thorough examination of your breasts is also performed to determine the most effective surgical approach. Dr. Edds will discuss with you the type of anesthesia used during a breast lift, details of the procedure, what results can be expected and possible breast lift risks and complications.
Mammograms are required on all patients 30 years old and over. Preoperative instructions often include the elimination of certain drugs, which contain aspirin in order to minimize the possibility of excess bleeding. Antibiotics may be prescribed prior to surgery to prevent infection. Women who anticipate breast-feeding after surgery should discuss this with Dr. Edds, as the ability to breast-feed after the breast lift varies with each individual.
A breast lift is performed in our accredited outpatient surgical facility in Owensboro, Kentucky. Prior to surgery, pre-medication is administered to relax you, and the breasts are carefully marked to indicate where incisions are to be made.
Techniques in breast lift surgery will vary. One frequently used method involves incisions on both sides of the breast and around the areola. A keyhole shaped incision is then made directly above the nipple. Dr. Edds works through the incisions to remove excess skin from the lower part of the breast. The nipple, areola and underlying tissue are then repositioned into a new, higher location and the skin from both sides of the nipple is brought down and sutured together to reshape the breast.
A modified procedure can be done on patients who have minimal sagging. This involves the removal of skin from the areola and surrounding areas. When breast augmentation is performed in conjunction with mastopexy, an implant is placed in a pocket created under the muscle of the chest wall. The surgery can last two hours or more, depending upon the technique and if other procedures are done during this time.
Following surgery, you will have a dressing and/or surgical bra for several weeks. Patients who are operated on in a hospital or surgical center are released the same day. Pain connected with the procedure is treated with oral medication. Antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent infection. Instructions for the day of surgery include bed rest with limited activities. Dr. Edds determines when normal activities can be resumed; however, strenuous exercise and overhead lifting must be avoided during the immediate post-operative period.
Sutures are removed in seven days. Numbness around the treated area may occur, but this condition is usually temporary. Swelling and discoloration disappear in a few days, and scars from the incisions, although permanent, will fade significantly with time.
Complications of infection and blood clots are rare; however, there are certain inherent risks connected with every surgical procedure, which should be thoroughly discussed with Dr. Edds. Because of the degree of tissue elasticity varies from patient to patient, the amount of recurrent ptosis or droopiness following mastopexy also varies. You can minimize complications by carefully following directions given by Dr. Edds. Following mastopexy, there may be slight variations in size or shape of the breasts; however, these variations are common even before breast surgery.
In an ideal world, all women have their breast lift procedure will end up with beautiful, perky breast with excellent size and upper breast fullness. Unfortunately, that is often not the case, and breast implants are needed with a breast lift to yield optimal size, roundness and upper fullness. The possible need for breast implants along with a mastopexy will be discussed in great detail during your consultation.
If you are interested in learning more about this procedure, please call our office at (270) 926-9033 and we will be happy to answer questions about the procedure itself or about procedure cost and financing.