Many women become self-conscious with their breasts as they start to change. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, and aging can cause the breasts to lose volume and droop. Mastopexy, or a breast lift, is done to help lift the breasts to a more youthful, perky position for a boost in confidence. Lorraine Golosow, MD helps her patients achieve their ideal breast shape and position through her breast lift techniques.

What is a Breast Lift (Mastopexy)?

Breast lift surgery helps women to once-again love their breasts. A breast lift reshapes and raises drooping breasts. Depending on the amount of ptosis and the desires of the patient a breast lift may be done in combination with an augmentation. This means that implants can be inserted to increase the size and improve the shape. Volume loss is normal as breasts go through many changes, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it. Along with volume loss, the areola can become stretched or misshapen over time. A breast lift can also be performed to reduce the size of the areola.

How is it Performed?

Breast lift surgery can take anywhere from an hour to three hours to perform. It is done under I.V. sedation or general anesthesia. The type of incision made is determined by the amount of skin that needs to be removed to achieve the desired lift. For women who have minimal drooping, the scar may be confined to an incision around the areola. Moderate drooping may require a periareolar and vertical incision. Severe drooping usually requires an anchor type incision. Stitches are placed around the areola, vertically from the areola to the inframammary crease, and along the inframammary fold.

Incision Options

There are different incisions used during a breast lift. The incision type depends on the amount of sagging as well as the desired goal for the procedure. The incision types are:

  • Anchor Incision: This helps women with severe ptosis. It is made around the areola and down to the breast crease, then continuing along the crease of the breast. Often this is used with a breast lift in combination with a breast reduction.
  • Lollipop Incision: This type of incision helps women with moderate drooping. This is made around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease.
  • Periareolar Incision: This is suitable for women with mild-to-moderate drooping. This type of incision is solely made around the perimeter of the areola.
  • Crescent Lift: This type of incision is usually done in conjunction with a breast augmentation and helps women with minor drooping. This incision lies just on the upper half of the areola.

Recovery

Dr. Golosow will provide detailed instructions for the breast lift recovery period. There are some risks associated with a breast lift, as with any surgery,  but these are typically small side effects. Most women experience mild discomfort during the week following breast lift surgery. This discomfort can be relieved with oral pain medications. Some swelling, bruising, and redness may occur as well. Most sutures are placed under the skin and will dissolve over time. The majority of patients are back to work a week after surgery. Though most daily activities can be resumed overhead lifting and strenuous exercise, however, should be avoided in the early postoperative period. Dr. Golosow will inform patients during a follow-up appointment as to when they can resume exercise and all activities.

Who is a Candidate for a Breast Lift?

A candidate for a breast lift procedure is any woman who feels self-conscious due to drooping or loss of volume in the breasts. This procedure is meant to help you feel better about yourself. If you have large breasts that point downward then this procedure can help to address that and other concerns. The best way to know if the breast lift procedure will be beneficial to you is by consulting with Dr. Golosow. She will examine your breast tissue, go over your health history, and speak with you about your desires to see if you are a good candidate for this procedure.

Schedule a Consultation

The breast lift surgery is one to help women feel more confident in the look of their breasts as well as themselves. To learn more about the breast lift procedure as well as breast lift risks and recovery, make an appointment with Dr. Golosow. If you have been considering breast lift surgery near Ft. Myers, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Golosow.

FAQs

Is a breast lift covered by insurance?

As a cosmetic, elective surgery, breast lifts are rarely covered by insurance because they are not deemed “medically necessary.”

How long do breast lift results last?

The idea of breast lift surgery is to create long-lasting results through precise shaping and removal of excess skin and breast tissue. However, a breast lift is not permanent, as it won’t stop the process of aging entirely.

How long does a breast lift take?

The breast lift procedure can take two to three hours depending on your unique surgical plan.

What types of breast lifts are there?

Options for breast lift incisions include the periareolar, the “lollipop,” and the “anchor” techniques.

Will breast lift affect breastfeeding?

Most breast lift patients do not experience any difference in the ability to breastfeed, although some have noticed a temporary decrease in ability and others a temporary inability to breastfeed.

Does a breast lift leave scars?

As a surgical procedure, a breast lift will result in some scarring, however Dr. Golosow can help you care for your scars professionally for the beast and least noticeable final result.

How long does it take for breast lift scars to heal?

Scarring from breast surgeries take up to a year to fully heal, during which time they can be cared for with special products and treatments for the most seamless appearance.

Do I need a breast lift or just implants?

This is a decision only you and your plastic surgeon can make. Generally, if youre happy with your breasts at the size they are, you dont need implants. If you want to increase their size, however, implants can be a great option.

Do you lose sensation with breast lift?

Its possible to have numbness after a breast lift, especially with certain incision patterns. In most cases, numbness returns within several months of treatment.

Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation

Breast surgery is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery done today. While in the past cosmetic and plastic surgery was somewhat taboo, today’s society is much more accepting, and women are no
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