Breast Lift
Over time, the natural aging process can cause a woman's breasts
to sag and lose their shape. A breast lift, or mastopexy, is
a surgical procedure that reshapes and cosmetically alters a
woman's breasts. After the procedure, women can expect firmer,
more shapely and youthful looking breasts.
The Surgery
In the most common procedure, the surgeon makes an anchor shaped
incision along the natural contour of the breast. Working through
this incision, the surgeon sculpts the excess skin and tissue
and repositions the nipple to give the breast a new and youthful
appearance. To finish the firming and shaping, the skin is pulled
snugly around the new nipple and the surgeon stitches the incisions.
A mastopexy can be performed using either a local or general
anesthesia and is usually done on an outpatient basis.
Alternative Procedures
A "doughnut mastopexy" can also be performed, which requires
less tissue removal and involves a much quicker recovery time.
In this procedure, the surgeon executes circular incisions around
the areola, and a doughnut shaped area of skin is removed.
After Surgery
Once the surgery is completed, the incisions are dressed in
gauze and the breasts are wrapped in an elastic bandage. In
a day or two, the bandage is replaced with a fitted surgical
bra. Patients may be bruised and swollen, although medication
eases much of this discomfort. Patients can expect to have their
stitches removed and return to work quickly, within one to two
weeks.
Health Concerns
As with most cosmetic surgery, complications are rare, but include
excessive bleeding, infections, and a reaction to the anesthesia.
If you smoke, your surgeon will most likely ask that you stop
two weeks prior to and following the operation. Other concerns
include unevenly positioned nipples and a temporary or permanent
loss of feeling in your breasts. To maximize the success of
surgery and minimize the risk of complication, always follow
your doctor's instructions for surgical preparation and postoperative
care.
