|
Breast Lift
A breast lift can enhance your
appearance and your self-confidence
to improve breast which have become
droopy or sagging.
|
The best candidates
for breast lift
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
mastopexy can increase
both their firmness and
their size. If you're
considering a breast
lift, this will give you
a basic understanding of
the procedure--when it
can help, how it's
performed, and what
results you can expect. |
 |
 |
All surgery carries
some uncertainty and
risk
All surgery carries some
uncertainty and risk A
breast lift is 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.
Mastopexy does leave
noticeable, permanent
scars, although they'll
be covered by your bra
or bathing suit. (Poor
healing and wider scars
are more common in
smokers.) |
 |
 |
Planning your surgery
In your initial
consultation, it's
important to discuss
your expectations
frankly with your
surgeon, and to listen
to his or her opinion.
Every patient--and every
physician, as well--has
a different view of what
is a desirable size and
shape for breasts.
The surgeon will examine
your breasts and will
discuss the variables
that may affect the
procedure--such as your
age, the size and shape
of your breasts, and the
condition of your
skin--and whether an
implant is advisable.
You should also discuss
where the nipple and
areola will be
positioned; they'll be
moved higher during the
procedure, and should be
approximately even with
the crease beneath your
breast.
Dr Carp will describe
the procedure in detail,
explaining its risks and
limitations and making
sure you understand the
scarring that will
result. He will also
explain the anesthesia
to be used, the type of
facility where the
surgery will be
performed, and the costs
involved.
Preparing for your
surgery
Depending on your age
and family history, you
may require a mammogram
(breast x-ray) before
surgery. You'll also get
specific instructions on
how to prepare for
surgery, including
guidelines on eating and
drinking, smoking, and
taking or avoiding
certain vitamins and
medications.
Where your surgery
will be performed
Breast lifts are usually
performed under general
anesthesia, which means
you'll sleep through the
operation. In selected
patients--particularly
when a smaller incision
is being made--the
surgeon may use local
anesthesia, combined
with a sedative to make
you drowsy. You'll be
awake but relaxed, and
will feel minimal
discomfort.
Types of anesthesia
Breast lifts are usually
performed under general
anesthesia, which means
you'll sleep through the
operation. In selected
patients--particularly
when a smaller incision
is being made--the
surgeon may use local
anesthesia, combined
with a sedative to make
you drowsy. You'll be
awake but relaxed, and
will feel minimal
discomfort.
The surgery
Mastopexy usually takes
one and a half to three
and a half hours.
Techniques vary, but the
most common procedure
involves an
anchor-shaped incision
following the natural
contour of the breast.
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
usually located around
the areola, in a
vertical line extending
downwards from the
nipple area, and along
the lower crease of the
breast.
Some patients,
especially those with
relatively small breasts
and minimal sagging, may
be candidates for
modified procedures
requiring less extensive
incisions. One such
procedure is the
"doughnut (or
concentric) Mastopexy,"
in which circular
incisions are made
around the areola, and a
doughnut-shaped area of
skin is removed.
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.
After your surgery
After 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.
Within a few days, the
bandages or surgical bra
will be replaced by a
soft support bra. You'll
need to wear this bra
around the clock for
three to four weeks,
over a layer of gauze.
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.
Getting back to
normal
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.
If you have any unusual
symptoms, don't hesitate
to call your surgeon.
Your surgeon will give
you detailed
instructions for
resuming your normal
activities. You may be
instructed to avoid sex
for a week or more, and
to avoid strenuous
sports for about a
month. After that, you
can resume these
activities slowly. If
you become pregnant, the
operation should not
affect your ability to
breast-feed, since your
milk ducts and nipples
will be left intact.
Your new look
Your surgeon will make
every effort to make
your scars as
inconspicuous as
possible. Still, it's
important to remember
that mastopexy scars are
permanent. They often
remain lumpy and red for
months, then gradually
become less obvious,
sometimes eventually
fading to thin white
lines.
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. |
|
