A breast lift, or mastopexy, removes excess skin from the breasts to tighten and support the breast tissue to restore its firmness and shape. The breast lift procedure raises the breasts and nipples higher on the chest to rejuvenate your figure with a more youthful, uplifted breast profile. During a breast lift procedure, your native breast tissue is reshaped in a way similar to a small implant. You can receive a mastopexy with and without breast implants depending on your desired outcome and breast size.
Mastopexy incisions vary on the amount of revision needed to remove the excess skin to improve the sagging appearance.
Crescent lift corrects minimal sagging of breast tissue. This technique involves a small incision around the top edge of the areola.
Peri-Areolar lift corrects mild sagging of breast tissue. This technique involves a circumferencial incision which runs along the entire edge of the areola. Areolar size can often be reduced with this technique.
Vertical or “Lollipop” lift corrects moderate sagging of breast tissue. This technique involves two incisions: a circumferencial incision which runs along the entire edge of the areola, and a vertical scar from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold (IMF), giving its “lollipop” appearance.
“Anchor” lift corrects extensive sagging of breast tissue. This technique involves three incisions: a circumferencial incision which runs along the entire edge of the areola, a vertical scar from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold (IMF), and one which runs along the inframammary fold, hidden in the crease of the breast.
Patients are advised to rest for 7-14 days following a breast lift procedure, which allows the body to recover from anesthesia and for the management of any postoperative pain. During this time, it is normal to experience fatigue and some drowsiness due to pain medication and the effects of anesthesia. Patients are encouraged to begin walking immediately following surgery. Your recovery time and post op care following your breast lift procedure will be dependent on the type of procedure performed. You will be provided with a post op surgical bra which you will wear for approximately 2 weeks after surgery. After 2 weeks, extensive breast lift procedure patients may convert to a supportive sports bra for 6-8 weeks more weeks post procedure to provide needed breast support for healing. Some patients experience numbness or hypersensitivity on or around the nipple after surgery, this is normal and should subside in 3-6 months. Patients can generally resume their regular activity 2 weeks after surgery except for strength training and weight lifting which can be resumed at 6-8 weeks post op, but this should be done under the discretion of the surgeon and the individual recovery of the patient.
In addition to short-term postoperative care, if you chose breast implants in addition to your breast lift procedure, they require additional long-term care, which begins with regular postoperative breast examinations to evaluate the condition of the implants. While implants can last a lifetime, manufacturers of the implants do not label them to be “lifetime devices” which means that implants can require replacement due to deflation, rupture, or other reasons.
If you are considering breast lift surgery, call for a consultation with Dr. Totonchi in Cleveland, Ohio, 440-461-7999.
