Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Breast lift or Mastopexy is surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. Mastopexy can also reduce the size of areola. If the breasts are small and have lost volume breast implants inserted along with a breast lift can increase both firmness and their size. A breast lift can be performed at any age, but one has to wait until breast development has stopped. Since milk ducts and nipples are left intact, surgery will not affect your ability to breast feed.

Sagging, called ptosis, describes breasts that are flattened with an elongated shape and a nipple/areolar complex which points downwards. Breast lift surgery or mastopexy returns the breast to a more youthful shape and position by elevating the nipple and areolar to a higher, more natural point of projection. There are a variety of different breast lift options available. Breast lifts do not significantly change the size of your breast, but improves the overall shape and contour.

During your visit, you will be asked about your desired breast shape and size. Your Dr Edween will tell you how nipples and areolas will be repositioned. Mention your expectations about your breasts.

Dr Edween will examine your breasts and takes measurements. The size and shape of your breasts and the placements of nipples and areolas will be carefully evaluated. Medical history as well as drug allergies, medical treatments received, previous surgeries include breast biopsies and medications that you take. If there was a weight loss, your weight should be stabilized before surgery.

A breast lift surgery is normally safe when done by a qualified surgeon. Significant complications from breast lifts are not frequent. Thousands of women go through surgery, without experiencing major problems and are pleased with the results. Following a breast lift surgery, sometimes the breasts may not be perfectly symmetrical or the nipple may vary slightly, permanent loss of sensation in the nipples or areas of breast skin may occur rarely. Revisional surgery may be helpful where incisions have healed poorly. Bleeding and infection following a breast lift are not common, but they can cause scars to widen. You can reduce the risks by following your physician's advice before and after surgery.

Breasts lifts are usually performed under general anesthesia. In patients where a smaller incision is being made the surgeon may use local anesthesia.

A mastopexy usually takes one and half to three and half hours. The most common procedure involves an anchor shaped incision across the base of the breast as well as incisions around the areolas and an incision between the areola and the base of the breast. The incision outlines the area from which the breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. The nipple and areola are moved to the higher possible with the removal of excess skin. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down to reshape the breast. Maximal correction of the breast shape is possible with this but at the cost of more scarring.

Patients with relatively small breast and minimal sagging are candidates for modified breast lift. This requires fewer incisions. One such procedure is the "doughnut mastopexy", in which circular incisions are made around the areola, and a doughnut shaped of skin is removed.

After surgery you will wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen for a day or two. Pain will not be severe, which will be relived with medications. The stitches will be removed after a week or two. If the breast skin is dry, use moisturizer several times a day. The numbness you feel in that area usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so.

Healing is a gradual process. Take it easy for a week or two. Lifting weights for three or four weeks should be avoided. Avoid strenuous sports for about a month.

For more information about having a breast lift in Beverly Hills California with Dr Julie Edween contact us today.

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