Breast lift or mastopexy is a cosmetic surgical procedure that reshapes and lifts sagging breasts. It entails removing excess skin, raising breast tissues, reducing the size of enlarged areolas, and raising the position of the nipples to enhance breast symmetry, contour, and shape.
Due to the increased demand for breast lift in Newport Beach, CA this article covers everything you need to know about breast lift surgery, including the common signs and causes of sagging breasts, the breast lift techniques available, the risks involved, and the recovery process. Take a look:
What Causes Sagging Breasts?
Pregnancy, weight fluctuation, large breasts and aging are the most common causes of sagging breasts. Here’s how:
Pregnancy
During and after the pregnancy, the breasts become fuller and heavier due to milk production. The breast tissue loses elasticity and becomes less firm, resulting in droopy breasts.
Weight Fluctuation
Weight fluctuations usually cause stretching of the breasts. When you add weight, the skin around the breast area expands due to fat storage. Conversely, when you lose weight, the fat cells decrease on size, but the skin loses its elasticity leading to sagging breasts and, in some cases, stretch marks.
Large Breasts
A genetic condition known as Macromastia, or large breasts, leads to heavy breasts that cause stretching of breast skin and stretch marks along with back or neck pain and bra grooving in the shoulders.
Aging
As you grow older, your breast ligaments stretch and lose elasticity. Fat in your breast also diminishes, compromising the size and shape of your breasts.
Common Signs of Sagging Breasts:
- Longer and flatter breasts
- Your nipples and areola point downwards
- Imbalanced breast symmetry
- Lack of fullness up top
How to Prepare for a Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Before performing any breast lift procedure, ensure your surgeon knows about your medical history. It is important to discuss any illness or medication you are taking.
Your surgeon will also conduct a physical examination to rule out any issues and ascertain if your body is ready for a breast lift procedure.
You may also be required to make some lifestyle changes before the big day: for instance, you’ll need to drop some habits which can negatively affect you during and after the surgery.
Always consult your plastic surgeon before any procedure and ask questions about any concerns. They will also give you instructions on what is expected and guide you through your recovery process.
What Happens During Breast Lift (Mastopexy)?
The exact procedure for your breast lift surgery depends on many factors, such as breast size and shape, degree of sagging, skin elasticity, amount of extra skin, and the position of your nipple and areolae. But in general, here is what to expect:
Anesthesia
A board-certified anesthesiologist will administer anesthesia to ensure a comfortable and pain-free breast lift procedure. The surgeon will then mark where the incisions will be placed and your nipples will be positioned.
Incision
The incisions will depend on the shape of your breasts, but generally, the incision will be placed around the nipple and areola area and down the middle of the breasts.
Three types of breast lift techniques
- Around the areola (periareolar or donut lift): Suitable for mild ptosis or sagginess, but can be associated with more scarring.
- Around the areola and vertically down the breast (lollipop lift): Appropriate for moderate ptosis.
- Around the areola, vertically down the breast, and horizontally along the breast crease (anchor or inverted-T lift): Used for severe ptosis or when significant reshaping is necessary.
Restoring Your Breasts
Your plastic surgeon will remove excess skin and laxity to improve elasticity and firmness. They will then reposition the nipple to a new position to improve breast contour. If you would like to include implants for more upper breast fullness, your plastic surgeon will insert them at the same time as the breast lift procedure.
Closing the Incisions
Your plastic surgeon will then tighten the remaining skin and close the incisions. Scars from the incision lines are initially inevitable but will gradually fade over time.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Recovery Process
The recovery period for mastopexy is about three to eight weeks, after which you may resume all regular activities with no restrictions. Resting and taking it easy for the first few days after breast lift surgery is highly recommended and you will need to avoid any strenuous activity until you recover.
You will be wrapped following your breast lift procedure. Usually no drains are necessary. Following your first post operative appointment you will require a soft bra to offer maximum support to your breasts while they heal.
Since your breasts will be swollen due to the incisions, expect to feel some discomfort. You may also experience numbness in your nipple until the tissues heals completely.
Your surgeon will schedule appointments to monitor your progress. They will remove bandages at your first appointment. The sutures will dissolve in the body naturally.
Always follow instructions given by your surgeon and report any issues you immediately.
Risks Associated with Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery
While incision scars usually fade over time and become less noticeable, some incisions may open due to lack of blood supply but usually heals overtime.
Additionally, as your breasts settle over time, you may have slightly asymmetrical breasts or some extra skin at the end of incisions that need correction.
Also, parts of the breast, especially the nipple, and areola, might suffer from a permanent loss of sensation, but that is very rare.
Lastly, you may experience breastfeeding problems as the breast can’t hold as much milk as before the procedure hence a lower milk production.
To avoid these risks, all mastopexy procedures must be done by trained and qualified plastic surgeons who operate at accredited medical facilities. It is also important to note that highly trained surgeons are better equipped to handle unforeseen cases and deliver desirable results.
Final Note
Breast lift surgery is a low-risk and high-reward procedure that firms up your breasts, restoring their youthful, vibrant shape. If you are seeking the best breast lift procedure in Newport Beach, Paydar Plastic Surgery is the leading plastic surgery provider in Newport Beach. They offer a variety of cosmetic procedures, from breast lift (mastopexy), breast augmentation, mastopexy with augmentation, breast revision, gynecomastia, and so much more.
Schedule your breast lift consultation in Newport Beach today with Dr. Paydar. Visit our website or call us at (949) 755- 0575
