Breast Lift

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What Can a Breast Lift Treat?

Weight loss, aging, pregnancy, nursing, and genetics are causes that may influence your decision to undergo a mastopexy, or breast lift, in The Woodlands. The breast lift is a cosmetic procedure used to raise and reshape the breasts.

A breast lift will give you firmer, more youthful-looking breasts for years to come by removing excess tissue and tightening the skin envelope, providing you don’t become pregnant and that you maintain a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle.

Many patients choose to combine a breast lift with breast implant surgery. This procedure is called a breast augmentation with lift, or a breast lift with implants.

Pairing a breast lift and augmentation offers a reduction in sagging and an enhancement in size. If all you need is a reduction in sag, a breast lift without implants is likely the ideal choice. Dr. Rivela and the caring staff at Rivela Plastic Surgery will help you make the right surgical decision during your consultation.

Your Breast Lift Consultation with Dr. Rivela

During your consultation, your medical history will be carefully reviewed with special attention to any risk factors. Detailed measurements of the size and shape of your breasts and chest will be obtained.

Nipple positioning and skin quality will be evaluated and information regarding the implant size and filler choice, incision location, and implant position, along with any possible need for ancillary procedures (breast lift, liposuction, etc.) will be discussed. Risks are carefully reviewed and Dr. Rivela welcomes questions regarding all aspects of your procedure.

Laboratory testing and medical clearance are mandatory at Rivela Plastic Surgery, along with information regarding smoking and the use of medication. Prescriptions are called to your pharmacy prior to your procedure for your convenience.

Who is a Candidate for a Breast Lift?

The best candidates for breast lift surgery already maintain a healthy, stable weight, but have sagging breasts. Additionally, those whose breasts are misshapen (flatter, elongated, or visibly stretched) may want to consider a breast lift. If a pregnancy is in your future, you should postpone breast lift surgery until you are finished having children as pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts, which will offset the natural-looking results of the procedure.

Also, if you plan to lose weight, you should postpone breast lift surgery until you have lost the desired amount of weight and are able to maintain it. Make sure to discuss these issues with Dr. Rivela and his staff during your consultation.

To develop realistic expectations regarding the results of your mastopexy, look over breast lift before and after photos in our gallery.

View Breast Lift Gallery

Your Mastopexy/Breast Lift Procedure

Mastopexy, or breast lifting, can be accomplished through several different techniques, each intended to lift the breast up, place the nipple in its original position and reshape the breast into a more beautiful appearance. The approach recommended will depend on the amount of sag in the breast. It is also important to decide whether augmentation or reduction should accompany the uplifting procedure for best results.

The Benelli Lift is a donut-shaped piece of tissue bordering the areola which is removed and the surrounding tissue is sutured to the areola. Sometimes slightly more tissue is removed above the areola to create a more pronounced lifting effect.

The Benelli-Lollipop is the same as the Benelli but with additional straight incisions from under the areolae to the creases below the breasts. This technique is effective for those who have medium sagging.

Full Mastopexy, the most common technique, involves an anchor-shaped incision that starts at the base of the areola and proceeds vertically to where the breast meets the rib cage. The incision then cuts out a crescent-shaped piece of skin right above where the breast meets the rib cage. The nipple must then be repositioned.

All mastopexy procedures can be performed using local or general anesthesia, and usually take 1 1/2-4 hours to perform. Contact Rivela Plastic Surgery for more information on breast lifts and other possible cosmetic enhancements that can be combined with a breast lift. We are committed to moving you forward to your best look. Let us help you look and feel great.

About the Procedure

  • AnesthesiaGeneral
  • Location of operationHospital or surgery center
  • Length of surgery2-4 hours (3-4 hours if performed with augmentation)
  • Length of stayOutpatient (home same day)

Your Breast Lift/Mastopexy Recovery Notes

The sutures placed under the skin will dissolve over several months. A special bra must be worn continuously, 24 hours a day, for about 21 days.

Because there is generally very little pain after this procedure and only a moderate amount of swelling, the patient may usually return to work in seven days— unless the work involves heavy lifting. Walking may be resumed the day after surgery and is encouraged, but any strenuous activities, including exercise, should be avoided for at least 3-4 weeks.

Sometimes the swelling causes a loss of sensitivity in the nipple and breast skin, which is usually only temporary. Most sensation returns within 1-3 months but could take up to a year or longer. Unfortunately, in some instances, the loss of sensation is permanent.

For the most part, the suture lines will have faded within a year, with additional fading occurring in the second year. Sometimes scars are extensive and permanent, and the aesthetics of that should be weighed against the improved beauty due to the reshaping of the breast and repositioning of the nipple.

Discomfort After: Mild to moderate. Anticipate 2-7 days of prescription pain medication.

Swelling and Bruising: Expect swelling and bruising for 7-10 days.

Bandages: Will come off the next day, some patients may need light dressings for 1-3 weeks. You will wear a sports bra or Ace wrap for 1-4 weeks. Avoid an underwire bra until your surgeon approves it.

Stitches: Most plastic surgeons use absorbable stitches that are buried under the skin and are clipped in seven days. Non-absorbable stitches will be visible outside the skin and will be removed in seven days.

Work: You may return to work in 3-7 days.

Driving: May be resumed in two weeks if you have stopped taking prescription pain medication.

Exercise: May be resumed in 4-6 weeks.

Final Result: This will be seen after the scars have matured, which will be about six months.

Breast Lift/Mastopexy FAQs

Who are good candidates for a breast lift?

Women, who are physically and emotionally healthy, have realistic expectations about the results of the surgery, and understand the risks and benefits of the procedure, are ideal candidates for a breast lift. Women who expect to bear children should postpone the procedure until no additional pregnancies are planned.nnWomen may wish to undergo a breast lift for a number of reasons, including the effects of aging, pregnancy, breast-feeding and/or significant weight loss or gain that cause breast skin to lose elasticity and firmness, resulting in sagging.

What are the risks associated with the procedure?

Virtually all surgery includes some risks, including reactions to anesthesia, blood clots and infection. Additional possible complications from breast lifts include scars that do not heal as well as expected and the chance of permanent loss of sensitivity in the breasts.nnSmokers run additional risks, such as much slower healing, more severe scarring and even the possibility of tissue necrosis from loss of oxygen to the reattached tissue or skin.nnMost risks can be mitigated or avoided with strict adherence to your doctor’s instructions, ceasing to smoke weeks prior to the surgery, and washing the areas with anti-bacterial soap for several days leading up to surgery.

Are the results permanent?

Unfortunately, there are no permanent fixes for conditions caused by aging and gravity. While breast tissue will eventually sag again in about 95% of cases, there are steps a patient can take to slow the process. Wearing a bra will significantly slow the process and decrease the amount of sagging, as will refraining from smoking and healthy eating habits.

How much does a breast reduction cost?

The cost of the procedure depends on many variables, so it is not possible to give a price without a personal consultation. Associated costs may include the price of the procedure, operating room costs and anesthesia fees.

Contact Our Office

Dr. Lucian Rivela is your best choice for a breast lift in The Woodlands. To find out more about mastopexy, contact our office and set up a consultation.

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