About This Procedure
The plastic surgeons at Franciscan Health are highly trained and skilled in performing breast lift surgery. Because no two patients are alike, our surgeons create individualized treatment plans to help you achieve natural-looking, attractive results.
What is a breast lift?
Breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgical procedure to address breast sag and restore a perkier shape. Breast lift is an outpatient procedure that offers a great option for women who are unhappy with the position or shape of their breasts.
A plastic surgeon performs breast lift surgery. The surgeon removes loose, excess skin and reshapes the breasts as necessary to achieve a pleasing shape. Surgery can also move downward-pointing nipples higher onto the breasts to improve appearance while maintaining sensation.
What causes sagging breasts?
Breast sag results from:
- Genetics
- Pregnancy and nursing
- Substantial weight fluctuations
- Natural aging process
About the breast lift procedure
Breast lift is an outpatient procedure, performed under general anesthesia (you're asleep for the procedure). The breast lift procedure involves:
- Tightening and reshaping: Your surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the breast before tightening the remaining skin and supporting tissue structures. The plastic surgeon may also reshape the breast to create a more attractive appearance.
- Placement: Your surgeon moves the breast to a more aesthetically pleasing location on the chest wall. If your areola is large, your surgeon will remove some of the skin on the outer border of the areola to reduce its size. Your surgeon moves the nipple to a higher, more central position on the breast. Your nipple stays attached to the underlying tissues to maintain nipple sensation.
- Implants: If you've opted to have breast implants in the same procedure, your surgeon places the implants into a breast pocket before closing the incisions.
- Dressing: Dissolvable sutures will hold incisions closed. The surgeon will dress the breasts with bandages and a surgical bra for support as they heal.
Recovery from a breast lift
Immediately after surgery, we move you to a recovery room to rest while the anesthesia wears off. Once cleared by medical staff, you’ll be released into the care of an adult so you can recover in the comfort of your own home.
You should expect to take one week off from your normal routine, including work. Rest is key in the initial recovery period. Resuming vigorous exercise, bending or lifting heavy objects before getting your doctor’s consent can result in complications.
Initially, your breasts may feel tender, sore or numb. Your surgeon can prescribe pain medication to ease these effects. Swelling and bruising are also normal and temporary. It's important to keep your follow-up appointments so your doctor can monitor your healing progress and recovery.
Who can get a breast lift?
Ideal breast lift candidates:
- Are unhappy with the look of sagging breasts due to pregnancy, nursing, weight fluctuations, genetics or the aging process
- Have downward-pointing nipples that hang below the natural breast fold
- Do not smoke
- Are in good overall health
- Have realistic expectations for breast lift surgery
In some cases, breast lift doesn't restore volume to the breasts. Women who desire a substantial boost in breast size can combine breast lift with breast augmentation (implants).
It is important for you to be completely open and transparent with your plastic surgeon about your aesthetic concerns and goals. Having a frank conversation will help your doctor plan your procedure. Together, you can decide whether you should have implants. Your surgeon will plan incisions and methods that result in less scarring and the most aesthetically pleasing results.
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