Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A woman's breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, heredity, or simply gravity.  A breast lift, or mastopexy, lifts the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.

Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time. A breast lift will reduce this as well.

New statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show breast lifts have grown 70% since 2000, outpacing breast implants 2-to-1.

WHAT BREAST LIFT SURGERY CAN'T DO

Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast.If you want your breasts to look fuller, consider breast lift and breast augmentation surgery.

If you want smaller breasts, consider combining breast lift and breast reduction surgery.

A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted. Read on to learn more about breast lift surgery - and feel free to call or email us if you have any questions. 

QUICK LINKS

CONSULTATION

COST

PROCEDURE

Breast lift surgery is a personal procedure - so it's important that you feel comfortable with your surgeon and his or her experience.

Dr. Majewski is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with over 17 years of experience, and has performed hundreds of successful breast lift procedures throughout his career. His goal for all his patients to help them feel comfortable, confident, and calm throughout their surgery and recovery experience.

Schedule a consultation once you feel you've done sufficient research on the procedure, researched possible surgeons, and you feel confident speaking about your goals and expectations for the surgery.

WHAT TO EXPECT

During your consultation, Dr. Majewski will ask you a number of questions about your health, desires, and lifestyle in order to create a treatment plan that will best satisfy your unique needs. Be honest with your answers, and come prepared with any questions you may have about the surgery, recovery, and the costs involved with the procedure.

During your consultation, Dr. Majewski may ask you questions about the following:

• Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome

• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments

• Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs

• Previous surgeries

• Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies

Dr. Majewski will also evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors, examine and measure your breasts, including detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality and placement of your nipples and areolas, take photographs, discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment, discuss the use of anesthesia during your procedure, and discuss likely outcomes of breast lift surgery and any risks or potential complications.

The purpose of the consultation is to ensure that you are a candidate for surgery, and to develop a treatment plan that will help you meet your goals.

You may be a candidate for breast lift surgery if you:

• Are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight

• Do not smoke

• Are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag or have lost shape and volume

• Have breasts with a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous

• Have nipples that fall below the breast crease when unsupported

• Have nipples and areolas that point downward

• Have stretched skin and enlarged areolas

• Have one breast that is lower than the other

Breast lift surgery is an investment in your confidence and happiness. The cost of your procedure may include:

• Anesthesia fees

• Hospital or surgical facility costs

• Medical tests

• Post-surgery garments

• Prescriptions for medication

• Surgeon's fee

When choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon for your breast lift, remember that the surgeon's experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery. 

It's important to remember that most health insurance plans will not cover cosmetic breast augmentation costs, related complications or another surgery to revise the appearance of your breasts. At Majewski Plastic Surgery, we offer CareCredit for all cosmetic procedures. Be sure to ask Suzanne, our Office Manager, about CareCredit during your financial consultation. 

Breast lift surgery is performed under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia for your safety and comfort. 

Your breast lift procedure can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques.

The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:

• Breast size and shape

• The size and position of your areolas

• The degree of breast sagging

• Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin

There are three common incision patterns:

After Dr. Majewski makes the incisions, the underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness; the nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height. If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter, and excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.

After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed. Dr. Majewski will recommend the incisions which best suit your anatomy.

Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time. The quality of your scars will depend on many things, including your genetics, exposure of your body to nicotine, and infection. Dr. Majewski will provide you with a scar gel to help minimize the appearance of scars.

Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.

During your breast lift recovery, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions after the procedure is completed. You'll need to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.

Immediately after your surgery, you'll be taken into a recovery area for close monitoring. You may be permitted to go home when you are stable for discharge, typically after an hour or so. You will need someone to drive you home on your surgery day.

Before leaving, you'll be given specific postoperative instructions for your breast lift recovery, which will include:

• How to care for your breasts following surgery

• Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection

• When you can shower

• Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health

• When to follow up with your plastic surgeon

• Activity restrictions

Wear your support garment (a bra or elastic band, called a bandeau) around the clock as instructed by Dr. Majewski. 

Be sure to ask Dr. Majewski specific questions about what you can expect during your individual breast lift recovery period. Do not hesitate to call our office if you have any questions about your recovery.

RECOVERY TIME

Breast lift surgery is an outpatient procedure, typically performed using general anesthesia or local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. The procedure takes about 1-2 hours to perform, depending on the extent of your surgery. You can expect to walk around on your own a few hours after surgery, and most patients feel up to leaving the house within the next day or two.

Most patients experience some soreness and swelling after breast lift surgery. Dr. Majewski will prescribe pain medication to help keep you comfortable. Many patients find they can switch to Tylenol after the first few days.

While you’ll be able to get up and walk around the house the same day of surgery, take it easy for the first few days. Also, expect to sleep on your back for the first several weeks or more after surgery. If you normally sleep on your side or stomach, invest in some extra pillows to help keep you from turning over.

Many patients return to work within the first week after breast lift surgery, depending on the nature of their jobs, and resume most daily activities after a week or so. You will need to limit exercise other than walking for the first 2-6 weeks after a breast lift; Dr. Majewski will provide you with detailed instructions about when it is safe to resume any activity.

Residual soreness and swelling should gradually subside over the first several months after a breast lift, and most patients are permitted to begin wearing underwire bras again after about 8 weeks.

It's important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

Only resume exercise and normal activity according to Dr. Majewski's instructions. It's important to listen to your body during this time - take it easy, and allow your body to heal fully before engaging in any kind of strenuous activity.

PAIN

Most patients find the pain associated with breast lift surgery to be tolerable, and limited to the first few days following surgery. Taking time to rest, hydrate, eat well, and do some gentle walking periodically will help reduce any pain. 

Avoid raising your arms above your head, or lifting or carrying anything more than a few pounds for several days to weeks after surgery. If something feels uncomfortable, don't do it. If you aren't sure whether you can do something, don't do it. This is not the time to be a superhero! You'll regain strength over time, but you might find everyday actions - such as closing the trunk of an SUV or opening a jar - will be difficult or uncomfortable in the weeks after surgery. Learn to ask for help in these types of situations, and plan ahead so that you're never alone in the days following your procedure. You should be fairly self-sufficient within 4-6 days.

Your satisfaction with your new look should continue to grow as you recover from surgery. The final results of your breast lift will appear over the next few months as breast shape and position continue to settle. Incision lines are permanent, but will continue to fade over time.

The results of your breast lift surgery will be long-lasting - having a breast lift is similar to resetting the clock for sagging. Your breasts will still undergo natural changes due to the aging process, although with proper care you should not experience your previous level of sagging for many years. You'll be able to retain your new look longer if you maintain your weight, and keep a healthy lifestyle. 

However, it is important to understand that certain life events, such as future pregnancy or weight fluctuations can negatively affect your results. If you are planning to have more children, or you would like to lose weight, it is best to achieve these milestones before having a breast lift. If you're planning on having children in the future, talk to Dr. Majewski about when you should plan to have your surgery.

Learn More

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Breast Lift with Implants

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