Also known as mastopexy, a breast lift raises and firms sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening surrounding tissues, which gives breasts a more attractive shape. The breasts may sag due to age, fluctuations in weight, pregnancy, breastfeeding, gravity, genetics or other factors. Occasionally the areolas may expand over time; a breast lift may also correct this, reducing the areolas to a more attractive size. A breast lift will not change the size or fullness of the breasts; to address these concerns, a breast lift may be combined with either breast augmentation or breast reduction.
Several approaches to breast lift currently exist; these include a full breast lift and a Benelli breast lift. Read below to learn more.
Also known as an anchor lift or inverted T, a full breast lift uses an anchor-shaped incision spanning from the base of the areola to the bottom of the breast where it meets the ribcage. A crescent-shaped piece of skin is then cut from this point, and the nipple is then removed and repositioned for a more youthful appearance. A full breast lift can reshape breasts that have experienced severe ptosis.
A Benelli breast lift, also known as donut mastopexy, apex lift, or circumareola breast lift, involves only one small incision around the areola. In this approach, a donut-shaped piece of tissue is removed from around the areola and leftover tissue is reattached to the areola. A Benelli breast lift results in less scarring than a full breast lift, but it also results in less overall change to the breast.
Before undergoing breast lift surgery, you will consult with a plastic surgeon. He or she will examine your breasts and review your medical history. Notify your plastic surgeon of all medications you are currently taking, as some may need to be temporarily stopped before surgery. If you are planning to lose a massive amount of weight or become pregnant, you will be advised to postpone breast lift surgery, as these may alter the size and shape of your breasts.
Breast lift surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure at a hospital, ambulatory center or office-based surgical suite using either local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, incisions will be made and the skin will be lifted; depending on the exact surgical approach, the nipples may also be repositioned. When surgery is complete, sutures will be placed beneath the breast tissue and the skin may be closed with surgical tape, sutures or skin adhesives. Breast lift usually takes about three and a half hours to perform.
Patients usually return home the same day as their breast lift procedure. After surgery, you may experience swelling, bruising and pain; however, these should subside over time. A return to your daily routine can be expected within 4 to 6 weeks. A compression garment or support bra may be worn to assist in the recovery process.
All surgical procedures carry a risk of complications. Although these rarely occur, risks associated with breast lift may include infection, bleeding, adverse reactions to the anesthesia, or loss of sensation in the nipples or breasts. To minimize the occurrence of complications, always choose a board-certified plastic surgeon for your procedure and follow all instructions carefully.
To learn more about breast lift, contact us today to schedule a consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon. Our offices are conveniently located across Queens, NY, Long Island, NY, and Bergen County, NJ.
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