Since a breast lift will not alter breast size, this surgery is sometimes combined with a breastaugmentationorreductionprocedure.
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As with any surgery, there are risks involved with undergoing a breast lift.
The recovery process, while relatively short, also requires a commitment to post-surgical care for optimal results.
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What Is a Mastopexy?
Mastopexy is an elective procedure that may be performed undergeneral anesthesiaor in select patients,local anesthesiawith intravenous sedation.
The nipple and areola are also repositioned higher up.
Since mastopexy is considered a cosmetic procedure, it’s not usually covered by insurance.
Various Surgical Techniques
There are many different surgical techniques used to perform a mastopexy.
Instead of a scalpel and surgical incisions, the surgeon uses radiofrequency energy to tighten the breast tissue.
Pregnancy can unpredictably change your breast size and shape, so the results of your surgery may be affected.
In younger women, glandular tissue dominates, which gives breasts their firm appearance.
It can also decrease the size of the areolas if they have enlarged over time.
If you desire smaller breasts, you may be a candidate for breast lift and breast reduction surgery.
Location
Breast lift surgery is performed in a hospital or surgical center by a plastic surgeon.
Leave all jewelry (including body piercings) and valuables at home.
If you have diabetes, you will be given instructions regarding if and when to stop your medications.
You may be asked to show your driver’s license and insurance card.
Before the Surgery
After checking in, you will be taken to a surgical holding area.
Here, you will change into a hospital gown and grip socks.
Your surgeon will then come to greet you and review the specifics of the operation.
If you are undergoing general anesthesia, youranesthesiologistwill also come to say hello and discuss medication administration.
You may need to sign additional consent forms at this time.
From there, you will walk on your own into the operating room or be wheeled on a gurney.
During the Surgery
In the operating room, the anesthesiologist will give you inhaled or intravenous medications.
If you are undergoing general anesthesia, this will render you temporarily unconscious.
If you are undergoing local anesthesia, the area around your breast will be injected with a numbing medication.
You will also likely be given a sedative to help you relax and sleep.
At this time, you may feel drowsy and experience breast pain and nausea.
Your nurse will administer medication to ease these symptoms.
Recovery
Once you are home, expect to have breast soreness, bruising, and swelling.
Itching around the incision sites and increased firmness or fullness in the breast tissue is also common.
These symptoms generally persist for around two to four weeks.
To ease your breast discomfort, take your pain medication exactly as prescribed.
This helps minimize any pressure on your breasts.
Keep in mind that numbness in your nipples and breasts after a mastopexy is also common.
An exception to this may be if you have drains.
After you shower, you will need to put your surgical/support bra back on.
Over the next several days, it’s possible for you to then gradually increase your activity level.
Ten to 14 days after surgery, you will have non-absorbable sutures removed from your incision sites.
Incision sites will continue to heal and fade within a year.
If avoiding sunlight is not possible, you should wear sunblock with an SPF of 30.
That said, be sure to talk to your surgeon before performing any scar massages.
Reviewing the potential risks of the surgery and what you could realistically expect as an outcome is also important.
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The Aesthetic Society.Breast lift.
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American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Who is a good candidate for breast lift surgery?
American Society of Anesthesiologists.Preparing for surgery: checklist.
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American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Informed Consent - Breast Lift (Mastopexy).
American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.Breast Lift Guide.
University of Michigan Health System.Mastopexy (breast lift) post-operative instructions.
The Aesthetic Society.Breast lift - safety considerations.
