Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman's breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag.
Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts - at least, for a time. (No surgery can permanently delay the effects of gravity.) Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume - for example, after pregnancy - breast implants inserted in conjunction with breast lift can increase both their firmness and their size.
Women who are planning to have more children should think about postponing their breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn't interfere with breast-feeding), pregnancy is likely to stretch breasts again and offset the results of the procedure.
Prior to the Breast Lift Surgery you will have a personal consultation.
During this consultation, the surgeon will inform you about the procedure, explain its risks and limitations of the Breast Lift. Besides, you will be asked about your desired breast size and anything else related to the appearance of your breasts that you feel is important. This will help your surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved. The more specific you are with the surgeon the more likely you will have results that meet your satisfaction
Your plastic surgeon will examine your breasts and perhaps take photographs for your medical record (which is subject to the medical confidentiality). He will consider such factors as the size and shape of your breasts, the quality of your skin and the placement of your nipples and areolas (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipples). If your breasts are sagging, a breast lift may be recommended in conjunction with augmentation.
You will also need to have your EGC and blood picture done.
General anaesthesia is used in most instances of breast lift procedures, so the patient is unconscious during surgery.
Mastopexy usually takes one and a half to three and a half hours. Techniques vary, but Dr. Baranski usually uses the Lejour-technique as it leaves fewer scars and eliminates the tension around the nipples that can occur with other incision techniques.
The incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to reshape the breast. Stitches are located around the areola and in a vertical line extending downwards from the nipple area to the lower crease of the breast.
If you're having an implant inserted along with your breast lift, it will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue, or deeper, under the muscle of the chest wall.
A breast lift is not a simple operation, but it's normally safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there is always a possibility of complications or a reaction to the anesthesia. Bleeding and infection following a breast lift are uncommon, but they can cause scars to widen. You can reduce your risks by closely following your physician's advice both before and after surgery.
Mastopexy does leave noticeable, permanent scars. They often remain lumpy and red for months, then gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually fading to thin white lines. (Poor healing and wider scars are more common in smokers.) Fortunately, the scars are placed so that you can wear even low-cut tops.
Even though it has never happened to any of doctor Baranski's patients, unevenly positioned nipples, or a permanent loss of feeling in nipples or breasts has occurred in rare cases.
After the breast lift a stay at the clinic ranging from three to four days is advisable.
fter surgery, you'll wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn't be severe. Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved with medications prescribed by your surgeon.
You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by the swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. In some patients, however, it may last a year or more, and occasionally it may be permanent.
Healing is a gradual process. Although you may be up and about in a day or two, don't plan on returning to work for a week or more, depending on how you feel. And avoid lifting anything over your head for three to four weeks.
Most patients will not be able to shower for between 3 to 7 days after breast lift. Activity that is more strenuous should be avoided for one to two months as your body continues to heal. Extreme care with the breast area should be taken for at least a month following breast lift. You shouldn't use a tanning bed or a sauna for about eight weeks. In Addition to this you'll need to wear a soft support bra for at lest three to four weeks.
The stitches are removed within 10 days.
The result of the operation will be visible after three months at the earliest. That's when any persistent mild swelling usually disappears and the final contour will be visible.
You should also keep in mind that a breast lift won't keep you firm forever - the effects of gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight fluctuations will eventually take their toll again. Women who have implants along with their breast lift may find the results last longer.
Your satisfaction with a breast lift is likely to be greater if you understand the procedure thoroughly and if your expectations are realistic.
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