Breast Lift
Breast lift surgery (or mastopexy) can raise the breasts and correct irregularities through the removal of excess skin and adjustment of breast tissue. The breasts are also made firmer, for a total effect of feeling and looking younger.
What does a breast lift achieve?
Reduction of breast firmness, skin elasticity and gradual changes in appearance can all be caused over time due to the natural effects of aging or other factors. These include weight changes, pregnancy and breastfeeding, gravity, and heredity. The breasts can develop downward pointing nipples, stretched skin or sagginess, or become elongated, flatter or lacking in pleasing shape. A breast lift combats such undesirable changes through raising and tightening, in order to offer rejuvenation and a sense of freshness to the breast profile. The procedure can also correct breasts hanging at different heights or reduce the size of an enlarged areola, a condition which often emerges over time.
What are the limitations?
Breast lift surgery cannot provide a noticeably rounder contour to the upper part of the breasts, and nor does the surgery alter breast size to any great extent. For significantly fuller breasts, or to decrease your breast size, look into breast augmentation or reduction procedures.
Who gets the most out of breast lift surgery?
You are likely to get the most effective and pleasing results if you remain physically healthy with a weight that does not fluctuate, if you are a non-smoker, have a positive attitude, and fully understand the sort of results you can expect. During your consultation, any history of breast cancer in your family and the long-term health of your own breasts will be taken into consideration.
The Procedure
Before the surgery the patient is anaesthetized or sedated as appropriate. The professional surgeon then makes the suitable incision for the procedure, which depends largely on the size and shape of the breasts and areolas, how low the breasts hang, and skin elasticity or excess skin. The most common incisions are:
- A circular incision around the areola
- The areola incision continued straight down to the breast crease
- The second type of incision with added horizontal incisions to the left and right on the breast crease
These are chosen to allow the best access for the surgeon to reshape and alter the breast tissue. The areola and nipple are also manoeuvred where necessary, and enlarged areolas are corrected by eliminating excess skin at the edges. Removing surplus skin from the breasts can help to regain elasticity. At the end of surgery, the incisions are closed and skin tightened.
Results
Temporary swelling is a natural consequence of surgery, but the results should still be immediately apparent. These will be enhanced in the coming months. The swelling should go down within weeks, aided by a support bra or elastic bandage.
Incision Lines
Incision lines will not always be hidden in the contours of the breasts, and the lines are permanent. They should gradually fade within the first year and become less conspicuous.
Note on Pregnancy
Please talk carefully with your surgeon if you are pregnant or planning on having a baby after your breast lift. In some cases pregnancy can reverse the changes created by a breast lift.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary between states and surgeons, with the extent of correction also a major factor. You can expect to pay between $5000 and $6000, which will not be covered by medical insurance.