Breast Lift
Also known as mastopexy, breast lift is a surgery procedure to raise and recontour sagging breasts. Many factors such as pregnancy, breast feeding, aging, and gravity will affect the shape of your breasts. The loss of skin elasticity causes the breasts to lose shape and firmness. Breast lift will help restore your breasts to a more youthful contour and shape. The best candidates are those in good physical and emotional health with realistic expectation. Athough any size breasts can be lifted, smaller sagging breasts tend to have longer lasting results with breast lift. It does not change breast size or provide upper pole fullness. In cases where there are both volume loss and sagginess, a combination of breast augmentation and lift might be needed to correct the problem. Dr Vu will explain the options to you during your personal consultation. He will help you to achieve the results you desire and improve your self image. Contact Dr Vu for a complimentary consultation for your breast lift.
To view Dr. Vu’s breast lift photo gallery, click here.
Choosing to have a breast lift
It is important for you to discuss frankly with Dr Vu regarding your expectations since everyone has a different opinion on what is a desirable size and shape of breasts. Dr Vu will examine your breasts, take measurements as well as determine your skin elasticity, nipple/areolar size and location. Using these parameters Dr Vu can assist you in determining which type of lift is needed and whether implants are necessary. As with any surgery there are potential risks especially scarring on the breasts, asymmetry and sensory changes. Dr Vu will discuss these in details with you so that you can make an informed decision.
The Procedure
Breast lift can be performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia in our AAAASF certified surgical suite. Surgery time varies between 1-3 hours depended upon the type of incisions. Mastopexy surgery can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques. Dr. Vu will work with you to make an individualized plan based on your severity of sagginess, skin quality, size and shape of breasts. The more severe the sagginess the more skin is needed to be removed and thus longer incisions.
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Incision
There are three common incision patterns:
- Around the areola
- Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
- Around the areolar and vertically down from the areolar to the breast crease and horizontally along breast crease
- Around the areola
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Reshaping the breasts
After making the incision, the breast tissue is lifted and reshaped. The new positioning of the tissue will improve breast contour and firmness. The nipple and areola are then repositioned and, if necessary, the areola is reduced. Excess breast skin is then removed to compensate for the loss of elasticity.
Recovery
Breast lift is performed on an outpatient basis. Bandages will be applied to the incisions following your surgery and an elastic bandage or support bra will need to be worn to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal. Occasionally a drain is placed in order to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect after surgery. A supportive bra should be worn for 3-4 weeks to help shape your breasts. Dr Vu will give you detailed postoperative instructions to care for your incisions and minimize complications. You should be up and about after 24-48 hours. You can expect some discomfort, swelling and bruising. Medications will alleviate any discomfort you have. After a few weeks any bruising or swelling should resolved. Normal activities can be resumed in about 1 week and strenous exercises 4 weeks after surgery. The results of your breast lift are long-lasting but not permanent due to gravity, pregnancy, aging and weight changes.