INTRODUCTION

Breast Lift surgery [“mastopexy”] is designed for women with “saggy” or “droopy” breasts who would like to have their breasts restored to a more youthful and elevated position.

Breast Lift surgery is an entirely different kind of surgery than Breast Augmentation surgery. In breast augmentation, we change the size of the breasts, whereas in breast lift surgery we change the shape and position of the breasts.

Breast drooping is the unfortunate consequence of breast size [weight], age, gravity, heredity, pregnancy, and weight loss. The fundamental problem is that the skin of the breast has become loose or stretched and is thus unable to hold the breast in proper position. Another way to think of the problem is this: if the skin of the breast is tight, the breast will be held high on the chest. If the skin of the breast is very loose, the weight of the breast tissue will pull down on the skin by gravity causing the breast to look “droopy.”

ANALYSIS

The goal of surgery is to make you happy. At your consultation we will obtain a very thorough medical history. We will want to know if you have had any previous problems, mammograms, or surgery of the breasts. We will want to know your goals of treatment, both in terms of the kind of look you would like to achieve as well as the kind of look you would like to avoid. We will carefully examine you and make measurements as indicated.

The objective of surgery is a very natural result. Patients must have a clear and realistic understanding of what kind of result that breast lifting surgery will produce. Many patients indicate that they wish their breasts to be positioned very high on the chest following surgery [“push-up bra look”], and assume that the breasts will remain in this elevated position for many years thereafter. This is not a realistic expectation of the kind of result that will result from any breast lift surgery. Shortly after surgery the breasts will be very elevated, but in the weeks following surgery the skin will re-stretch and the breasts will fall into a more normal position. The larger the breasts, the greater the weight of the breasts and the sooner the drooping will reoccur. The smaller the breasts, the less the weight and the longer the results will last. This is possibly the most important concept for patients to understand before proceeding with breast lifting surgery.

Breast lifting surgery can be performed alone or in conjunction with breast augmentation surgery.

Following the analysis we will present to you a comprehensive treatment strategy. We will discuss the procedure(s) recommended in detail. We will also advise you of the potential risks and complications of surgery. We will outline your recovery period and make focused suggestions to make your surgery experience safe, easy, and as pleasant as possible.

PROCEDURE

The surgery takes between 1 to 3 hours to perform, depending on the needs and goals of the patient and how much surgery is performed. Except for exceptionally minor degrees of drooping, you will be totally asleep for the surgery to minimize anxiety and to maximize comfort.

Breast lifting procedures fall into two categories: (1) minimal scar methods, and (2) extended scar methods. Since extra skin is the fundamental problem causing breast sagging, the treatment involves removing the excess skin. When the degree of drooping is mild or limited, the surgery can be accomplished with a circular incision around the areola [“minimal scar method”]. When the degree of drooping is moderate to severe, the surgery will require additional excisions extending from the areola straight down to the fold underneath the breast, and also for a variable distance along that fold as well [“extended scar method”].

AFTERCARE

Recovery from breast lifting surgery is a “process” and will depend largely on the kind of surgery performed, your motivation for success, and your dedication in precisely following our written after-surgery instructions. Discomfort is minimal. Your “down time” will be between 1 and 2 weeks depending on the extent of the surgery performed.

There are scars as a result of this surgery. It usually takes at least 6-12 months for the scars to completely fade.

The two main drawbacks of surgery are: (1) the scar, and (2) the tendency for the breasts to gradually droop again with time. Each patient will need to evaluate these factors and weigh them against the benefits of surgery to determine if she wishes to proceed with breast lifting surgery.