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The changes that occur in the breasts with aging, or following pregnancy, breastfeeding or significant weight loss result in the loss of breast volume and shape. Our plastic surgeon, John P. Zimmermann, MD, is highly trained and experienced at providing breast lifts. Continue reading about the procedure to learn more about how a breast lift can improve your life.
What Are the Benefits of a Breast Lift?
The benefits from a breast lift can be immense and can last for many years ahead. Several reasons you may consider a breast lift include:
- Correcting the sagging caused by aging and gravity
- Elevating or realigning nipples that point down or to the side
- Decrease the size of a nipple/areola that has been stretched out
- Firm the substance of the breast
A breast lift or mastopexy is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape breasts. It may also diminish the size of the areola (the pigmented skin around the nipple) if desired.
In most cases, depending on the amount of excess skin to be removed, a mastopexy will result in the same or a slightly lesser volume of the resulting uplifted breast. It will not “force” breast tissue up higher in the breast as one would see with a push up bra. It can be combined with the simultaneous placement of a breast implant in the subpectoral position if an increase in volume or more superior fullness is desired.
How Is the Breast Lift Procedure Performed?
The breast lift is an outpatient procedure which can take anywhere from one and a half to two and a half hours, depending on how much skin is to be removed, and whether or not an implant is to be placed. It is usually performed under general anesthesia with a board certified anesthesiologist, although in circumstances where only a small amount of skin is to be removed, sedation and local anesthesia may be utilized.
The amount of skin removed depends on the position of the nipple, the amount of sagging, and whether or not an implant is to be inserted. Before surgery, the appropriate new position for the nipple is determined. The amount of skin to be removed may vary from a small crescent of skin from above the areola, an asymmetrical donut shaped area around the areola, to an area both around and below the areola and inferior breast. Placing an implant will necessarily fill up some of the excess skin and require less to be removed. In some cases, you can enhance your appearance ever more by pairing a breast lift with breast implants through breast augmentation.
What Is the Recovery from a Breast Lift Like?
The recovery from a breast lift procedure will vary for each patient as their body and needs will be different. After your breast lift surgery, it is generally recommended that you take two weeks off from your normal routine. For about about a month you should avoid physical or strenuous activities such as working out or lifting heavy objects. In most cases, a specialized compression garment will be provided to you in order to aid in the recovery process and maintain the results from your breast lift. To further help with the recovery, pain medication may be prescribed to ease any discomfort.
Does Breast Lift Surgery Leave Scarring?
Every surgical procedure, including breast lift surgery, comes with the potential of leaving scars behind. The area of skin that must be removed to give an acceptable cosmetic result dictates the scars that will result. It may vary from a simple scar at the upper margin of the areola, to a scar around the areola, to a scar with a “lollipop” extension inferiorly, to an “anchor” shaped scar in cases with the most skin excess. Dr. Zimmermann is extensively trained and highly experienced, enabling him to make incisions in inconspicuous areas to ensure any scarring can easily be hidden. He will go over the risks and potential for leaving behind scars during the initial consultation.
Contact the Aesthetic Institute of Napa Valley
If you would like more information on breast lift surgery, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. John Zimmermann, please contact us at the Aesthetic Institute of Napa Valley today.
