Newport Beach Breast Lift
Breast lifts are a wonderful procedure for women, who in many cases, have had children, nursed, and not only have lost volume, but have developed a significant amount of sagging of their breasts.
Request your certificate for a free Breast Lift consultation now and Newport Beach Plastic Surgery will send your electronic email confirmation today or call our Orange County plastic surgery offices directly at (949) 759-5539.
The confusing issue about breast lifts to many women is that there are many different surgical options.
These options depend on how much volume has been lost and how much sagging (ptosis) has developed. Your surgeon should be able to very clearly explain why one option is better than another one for your particular anatomy. In many cases, a small breast augmentation can be performed at the same time to restore fullness in the upper part of the breast. You should not be intimidated by the additional scars that can result from certain kinds of lifts. If the surgeon uses the appropriate techniqe for you and utilizes a very specific post-operative "scar prevention protocol", the scarring should be negligible. I can honestly say that nearly every patient that I perform this procedure on is so pleased with their new shape of their breasts--they simply do not find the scars to be an issue.
About Breast Lifts
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. Breastlift, 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 brochure will give you a basic understanding of the procedure--when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask your doctor if there is anything about the procedure you don't understand.
What To Expect During Breast Lift 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.
Recovering From Breast Lift 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. The stitches will be removed after a week or two.
If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day. Be careful not to tug at your skin in the process, and keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas.
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.
Call today for your complimentary Cosmetic Surgery consultation with Dr. Milind Ambe: 949-759-5539
