Breast Lift
A Breast Lift or Mastopexy is a very common procedure that more and more women are undergoing. Throughout a woman’s lifetime, there are many phases and changes that take place; all of which have an effect on the body. Pregnancy, nursing, weight gain, weight loss, diet, exercise, illness, gravity—all of these factors can affect the outward appearance of the body. As the years pass, women find that the skin loses elasticity and gravitational pull causes the breasts to lose their shape and firmness which leads to sagging.
A breast lift is a surgical procedure that women undergo in order to lift and reshape their breasts. While this procedure can give you a natural, firm look, it is important to remember that the results are not permanent. Gravity will always have an effect on our bodies; therefore a breast lift alone will provide results, but not permanent results. Oftentimes women combine a breast lift with implant surgery in order to get long lasting results.
The breast lift procedure can differ slightly based on the degree of ptosis or sagging. Patients can experience different degrees of sagging: mild ptosis, moderate ptosis or advanced ptosis. Mild ptosis means that the nipples have dropped to the level of the breast crease, moderate ptosis means that the nipples have dropped below the level of the breast crease and advanced ptosis means that the nipples are pointing towards the floor. During the procedure, the surgeon will alter the incision made and will remove different sections and amounts of skin from the breast depending on the severity of sagging.
During the procedure the surgeon will make an anchor shaped incision; this will extend down from the nipple and along the underside of the breast. Once the incision is made, excess tissue and skin will be extracted. The nipple is then relocated by moving the areola to a higher position. The skin surrounding the areola will then be brought down toward the incision and sutured. The skin will be stitched around the areola as well as in a vertical line that extends down from the nipple to the underside of the breast. Your surgeon will make every effort to ensure your scars as inconspicuous as possible, but it is important to remember that the scars will be permanent.
Pain, discomfort, bruising and swelling are all post surgery factors that patients will experience. The bruising will fade but the swelling can last for several months; many patients will not see full results until the swelling has subsided. After a breast lift, patients can experience firmer, reshaped breasts that can give them the natural, comfortable look they desire. |
