A mastopexy, commonly known as a breast lift, is a procedure that firms and raises the breasts by removing extra skin and tightening the tissue around the breast. It is important to note that breast lifts do not significantly change the size of the breasts, merely the positioning on the chest.
There are multiple reasons why women choose to undergo breast lift surgery. Younger women may feel their breasts are large or sagging and disproportionate to their body; large breasts can also cause back pain. Middle-aged women often say their breasts change volume and shape after pregnancy. They report that their breasts sag due to being overstretched because of lactation and then do not go back to their pre-pregnancy shape. Older women experience the gradual pulling down of the breasts due to gravity, as well as the inelasticity of aged skin. A breast lift restores the bust to a normal, proportionate size.
The most common way the surgery is performed involves three incisions: one around the areola, one vertically from the areola to the crease under the breast, and one horizontally that follows the natural crease of the breast. Excess breast skin is removed, and the nipple and areola are shifted to a higher position. Skin that was previously above the areola is now brought down and together underneath the areola, finishing the reshaping of the breast. There are other methods that may be better for your situation, so thoroughly talk to your surgeon about all the options available to you.
The simple procedure involves anesthesia for your comfort and is only a few hours long. Afterward, your breasts will be wrapped in gauze and may have tubes placed in them to help with any draining. In the days following the procedure, it is important to rest and refrain from strenuous activity. It is possible that full recovery, including normal sensation and fading of scars, will take several weeks. Talk to your surgeon regularly to confirm your healing is going as smoothly as possible.
For more information about a breast lift, call our office at (702) 671-5110 or schedule your appointment online today.