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Plastic Surgery
> Breast
Brest Lift before
and after photos
About
Breast Lifts
Often, pregnancy or nursing stretches breast skin, causing
breasts to sag or become pendulous. Excessive weight gain or
loss or the natural aging process can also take its toll.
But there is no reason for a woman to hide behind a droopy
bust line. Breast lift, or mastopexy, can take years off a
woman's body by creating a firmer, and tighter bust line and
more voluminous breasts.
During breast lift
surgery Dr. Snyder
trims away excess
tissue and skin, and
remaining tissue and
skin are tightened
and lifted. In some
cases, the areola is
reduced in size,
making it more
proportionate to the
reshaped breasts.
Breast lift, which
is often performed
in conjunction with
breast augmentation,
is not permanent;
gravity, age, and
additional
pregnancies can
affect results over
time, but effects
are still very
satisfying for the
vast majority of
patients.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT BREAST LIFTS
Am I a good candidate for a
breast lift?
You may be a good
candidate for breast lift surgery if you have one or more of
the following conditions:
-
breasts that
are pendulous, but of satisfactory size
-
breasts that
lack substance or firmness
-
nipples and
areolas that point downward, especially if they are
positioned below the breast crease
A breast lift can
be performed at any age, but plastic surgeons usually
recommend waiting until breast development has stopped.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding may have significant and
unpredictable effects on the size and shape of your breasts.
Nevertheless, many women decide to undergo breast lift
surgery before having children and feel that they can
address any subsequent changes later. Since the milk ducts
and nipples are left intact, breast lift surgery usually
will not affect your ability to breast-feed; however, you
should discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Will my insurance help cover
the cost of surgery?
Breast lift surgery, as an aesthetic (cosmetic) procedure,
generally is not covered by insurance.
Under certain circumstances, however, insurance
coverage may be available. For example, if a breast
reconstruction after mastectomy is performed, the opposite
breast may need to be modified for symmetry. Many factors
determine your eligibility for coverage, including the
specific terms of your insurance policy. A letter of
predetermination may be required by your insurance company
prior to surgery. Your plastic surgeon or a staff member in
your surgeon's office will discuss these matters with you.
Where are the incisions placed?
A common method of lifting the breasts involves three
incisions. One incision is made around the areola. Another
runs vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the
crease underneath the breast. The third incision is
horizontal beneath the breast and follows the natural curve
of the breast crease.
After the plastic surgeon has removed excess breast skin,
the nipple and areola are shifted to a higher position. The
areola, which in a sagging breast may have been stretched,
can be reduced in size. Skin that was formerly located above
the areola is brought down and together beneath it to
reshape the breast. The nipples and areolas remain attached
to underlying mounds of tissue, and this usually allows for
the preservation of sensation and the ability to
breast-feed.
What are some
variations to the common breast lifting technique?
There are many variations to the design of the incisions for
breast lift surgery. The size and shape of your breasts,
size of your areolas, and extent of sagging are factors that
will help your plastic surgeon determine the best technique
for you.
In some instances, it may be possible to avoid the
horizontal incision beneath the breast. Sometimes a
technique may be used that avoids this horizontal incision
as well as the vertical incision that runs from the bottom
edge of the areola to the breast crease.
If you and your plastic surgeon have decided that it is
desirable to enlarge your breasts at the same time as they
are lifted, this will require insertion of breast implants.
If this is an option that you wish to consider, your surgeon
will review the necessary information with you and may
provide you with a brochure on breast augmentation.
How will I look and feel
initially?
The day after surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of
bed for short periods of time. After several days, you
should be able to move about more comfortably. Straining,
bending and lifting must be avoided, however, since these
activities might cause increased swelling or even bleeding.
You may be instructed to sleep on your back to avoid
pressure on your breasts.
Any surgical drains will be removed within a few days of
surgery, at which time your dressings may also be changed or
removed. You may be instructed to wear a support bra for a
few weeks, until the swelling and discoloration of your
breasts diminish. Generally, stitches will be removed in
stages over a period of approximately three weeks, beginning
about one week after surgery.
You may notice that you feel less sensation in the nipple
and areola areas. This is usually temporary. It may,
however, take weeks, months or even more than a year before
sensation returns to normal. Your breasts may also require
some time to assume a more natural shape. Incisions will
initially be red or pink in color. They will remain this way
for many months following surgery.
When can I resume my normal
activities?
After breast lift surgery, it is often possible to return to
work within a week or so, depending on your job. In many
instances, you can resume most of your normal activities,
including some form of mild exercise, after several weeks.
You may continue to experience some mild, periodic
discomfort during this time, but such feelings are normal.
Severe pain should be reported to your doctor.
Any sexual activity should be avoided for a minimum of one
or two weeks, and your plastic surgeon may advise you to
wait longer. After that, care must be taken to be extremely
gentle with your breasts for at least the next several
weeks.
How long will
the results last?
Unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight or
become pregnant, your new breast shape should remain fairly
constant. However, gravity and the effects of aging will
eventually alter the size and shape of virtually every
woman's breasts. If, after a period of years, you again
become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you
may choose to undergo a second breast lift procedure to
restore their more youthful contour and appearance.
For more information on any of these
services or to make an appointment,
please click here to
contact us or call
us at:
512-533-9900
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