Breast Lift
Mastopexy
Breast
lift surgery, also called Mastopexy, removes
excess breast skin to raise, reshape and firm your
breasts. The nipples and areolas (the pigmented skin
surrounding the nipples) are repositioned, and the
areolas sometimes may be reduced in size. If desired,
implants may be inserted in conjunction with a breast
lift to increase volume.
If you are considering a breast
lift, your board-certified plastic surgeon wants you
to be thoroughly informed about the procedure. Reading
the information on this web site is the first step.
A personal consultation with your surgeon is the best
way to obtain the additional information you will
need.
Considering
a Breast Lift?
Loss of skin elasticity, gravity
and other factors such as weight loss, pregnancy and
breast-feeding ultimately affect the shape and firmness
of your breasts. Patients who are generally satisfied
with the size of their breasts can have a breast lift
to raise and firm them, resulting in a more youthful
breast contour. Some patients may be unhappy that
they have lost significant amount of breast volume
over time. In such cases, implants inserted in conjunction
with a breast lift can increase breast size at the
same time as the shape and position of the breasts
are enhanced.
Am I a good candidate for
a breast lift?
You
may be a good candidate for breast lift surgery if you have one or more
of the following conditions:
Sometimes these conditions may be inherited traits.
In certain cases, the breasts may have developed differently so that one
breast is firm and well positioned while the other is not. There may be
differences in the size of your breasts as well as their shape.
Breasts that are large and heavy can be lifted, but the results may not
be as long lasting as when the procedure is done on smaller breasts.
A breast lift can be performed at any age, but plastic
surgeons usually recommend waiting until breast development has stopped.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding may have significant and unpredictable effects
on the size and shape of your breasts. Nevertheless, many women decide to
under-go breast lift surgery before having children and feel that they can
address any subsequent changes later. Since the mild ducts and nipples
are left intact, breast lift surgery usually will not affect your ability
to breast feed; however, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Your
Personal Consultation
During
the consultation, you will be asked about your desired
breast shape and size. Your plastic surgeon will discuss
with you how your nipples and areolas will be repositioned.
You should mention anything else about your breasts that
you would like to see improved.
This will help your surgeon to understand your expectations
and determine whether they realistically can be achieved.