Breast Lift

ARE YOU CONSIDERING A BREAST LIFT?…

As you age, pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on your breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts–at least, for a time. (No surgery can permanently delay the effects of gravity.) Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume–for example, after pregnancy–breast implants inserted in conjunction with mastopexy, can increase both their firmness and their size. We can’t answer all of your questions here, since a lot depends on your individual and clinical circumstances. Please be sure to see Dr Dolynchuk if there is anything else you don’t understand.

THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR BREAST LIFT

A breast lift can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently.

The best candidates for mastopexy are:

• Healthy, emotionally stable women who are realistic about what the surgery can accomplish.
• The best results are usually achieved in women with small, sagging breasts.
• Breasts of any size can be lifted, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts.
• Many women seek mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing have left them with stretched skin and less volume in their breasts.

If you’re planning to have more children, it may be a good idea to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn’t interfere with breast-feeding), pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again and offset the results of the procedure.

ALL SURGERY CARRIES SOME UNCERTAINTY AND RISK

A breast lift is not a simple operation, but it’s normally safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there is always a possibility of complications or a reaction to the anesthesia. Bleeding and infection following a breast lift are uncommon, but they can cause scars to widen. You can reduce your risks by closely following our advice both before and after surgery.

Mastopexy does leave noticeable, permanent scars, although they’ll be covered by your bra or bathing suit. (Poor healing and wider scars are more common in combined augmentation mastopexy as well as smokers.) The procedure can also leave you with unevenly positioned nipples, or a permanent loss of feeling in your nipples or breasts, as well as firmness which was previously not noticeable to you.

PLANNING YOUR SURGERY

In your initial consultation, it’s important to discuss your expectations frankly with us, and to listen to our opinion. Every patient–and every physician, as well–has a different view of what is a desirable size and shape for breasts.

Dr. Dolynchuk will examine your breasts and measure them while you’re sitting or standing. He will discuss the variables that may affect the procedure–such as your age, the size and shape of your breasts, and the condition of your skin–and whether an implant is advisable. You should also discuss where the nipple and areola will be positioned; they’ll be moved higher during the procedure, and should be approximately even with the crease beneath your breast.

He will describe the procedure in detail, explaining its risks and limitations and making sure you understand the scarring that will result. He will also explain the anesthesia to be used, and the type of facility where the surgery will be performed. His staff will discuss the costs involved.

Don’t hesitate to ask us any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.