The Breast Lift remains one of the most frequently performed breast enhancing procedures. Here’s what you need to know before your Mastopexy consultation.
Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lifts
The Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure that removes excess skin and tightens surrounding tissue to raise and reshape sagging breasts.
1 – What is the Difference Between Breast Lifts and Breast Augmentation?
Breast Lifts reshape and elevate sagging breasts. Mastopexy firms the breasts and lifts the nipples and breasts to a higher position on the chest. The volume of the breasts are not changed, but the nipple and breast tissue are moved up exclusively by tightening the skin.
Breast Augmentation uses breast implants to add volume, increasing the size and enlarging the preexisting shape. The skin stretches fairly uniformly so lifting is not possible; however, sagging due to deflation is corrected. If the nipples are low, they will remain low. If the bread tissue is sagging, it may hang off the Breast Implant. Both these problems can be corrected by adding a Breast Lift.
2 – Can I get a Breast Lift without Breast Implants?
Yes, you can lift and reshape your natural breast tissue without adding implants. If you are happy with your current size, this may be the best option. If your breasts are too large, Breast Reduction can be incorporated into the lift.
3 – Will a Mastopexy Leave Visible Scars?
Yes, scarring is a normal part of the procedure. Surgeons place incisions in folds beneath the breasts and around the areola. The areola is the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple. If the areolae are large, Areola Reduction is added to create aesthetic proportions. A vertical scar runs from the bottom of the areola to the bottom of the breast. This scar closes the original position of the nipple.
Careful, layered closure of the incisions and meticulous scar care after surgery will help the scars fade significantly over 1 to 2 years.
4 – How Long is the Recovery Period After a Breast Lift?
It is important to rest the first couple of days after a Mastopexy. Walking is encouraged, but heavy lifting and overhead reaching is discouraged. Most patients return to light, everyday activities within 1 to 2 weeks. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting must be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks. While these are average guidelines, be sure to check with your plastic surgeon prior to increasing your exertion.
5 – Will a Breast Lift Prevent Future Breastfeeding?
After a Breast Lift, many women can still breastfeed, but milk production may be reduced. The amount of reduction is variable, depending on the amount of reduction needed, the surgical technique used and if nipple sensation changes. Mastopexy is often delayed until after having children to prevent any interference with breast feeding, and the preserve the results of the Breast Lift.
6 – How Long Do the Results of a Mastopexy Last?
Results are long-lasting, but natural aging, gravity, future pregnancies, and weight fluctuations can cause the breasts to sag again over time. It is common to “over correct” the initial results so when the postoperative swelling resolves, the breasts settle into a more ideal shape. This takes about three months in most cases.
Preoperative asymmetry, especially in size, can lead to asymmetrical future sagging. Significant differences in size should be addressed during the lift, most frequently by reducing the larger breast.
7 – Is a Breast Lift Painful?
Most patients report manageable soreness and tightness rather than sharp or severe pain. Many of my patients have described this as a tight band running around the chest beneath the breasts. Discomfort is easily controlled with prescription or over-the-counter medication for the first few days.
8 – Can I Combine a Breast Lift with Other Procedures?
Yes, it is very common to combine a Breast Lift with Breast Augmentation, Breast Reduction, or a Tummy Tuck (i.e. Mommy Makeover).
9 – Does Health Insurance Cover Breast Lifts?
No, insurance typically considers a standalone breast lift a cosmetic procedure. Exceptions are sometimes made if it is part of breast cancer treatment. This can apply to the post-mastectomy breast, as well as the opposite breast for matching.
10 – Am I a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?
Good candidates are non-smokers in good health who have realistic expectations and stable skin elasticity. Aging, weight loss, or pregnancy all affect the longevity of your results.
Breast Lift Consultations
Breast Lifts and Breast Augmentation are two of the most commonly performed breast enhancement procedures. They are combined about 40% of the time into a single operation that both lifts and enlarges the breasts. called Mastopexy Augmentation. If you are considering a Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation in the San Francisco Bay Area, call (925) 943-6353 and schedule a private consultation appointment.
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