WHAT IS A BREAST LIFT?

A breast lift, medically known as mastopexy, raises sagging breasts by removing excess skin and breast tissue, rearranging breast volume, and tightening the skin. The surgery also repositions the areolae and may involve nipple reduction.

While a breast lift alone will not significantly change the size of your breasts, the operation can often be combined with an implant or fat transfer breast augmentation in a single procedure. Like any surgery, it carries risks, although it is considered among the safest cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Breast Lifts rank very high in patient satisfaction. In one national patient survey, 93 percent of respondents ranked the surgery as “worth it.” At Southwest Breast & Aesthetics in Phoenix Breast lifts are one of the specialties of our surgeons.

Our doctors are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and are among the most respected and experienced plastic surgeons in Arizona. After a Breast Lift Phoenix patients consistently give the surgeons high marks for their personal communication skills and ability to really listen. Women considering a breast lift in Arizona are encouraged to schedule an initial consultation with the doctors and staff at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics.

HOW YOU CAN BENEFIT FROM A BREAST LIFT

A breast lift can help restore elasticity and firmness in your breasts, and can be an effective ally for women who are battling “gravity.”

It also can counter some of the breast sagging you may have experienced during and following pregnancy. You might also consider breast lift surgery if your nipples point downward, or if one of your breasts falls lower than the other. A breast lift can be performed on breasts of any size, although women with smaller breasts may have longer-lasting results. The procedure is considered cosmetic surgery. A breast lift can enhance your appearance, improve the fit of your clothes, boost your self-confidence and elevate your enjoyment of life.

KEY BENEFITS

Restores elasticity and firmness
Corrects nipples that point downward
Reduce the size of overly large areolas
Raises the breasts and nipples to a more youthful position
Ideal for reversing the physical effects of aging, pregnancy, and extreme weight loss

ANY “DOWNSIDE”?

If you are considering a future pregnancy, you might delay breast lift surgery, since during pregnancy your breasts may stretch and negate the results of the lift. While a breast lift typically does not limit breastfeeding, some women have reported a reduction in their milk production.

Other risks include scarring, changes in breast sensation, and, in rare cases, partial or total loss of the nipples and areola if blood flow is interrupted during a breast lift. Like any other surgery, additional possible complications include bleeding, infection, an adverse reaction to anesthesia, and possible allergic reaction to materials used during or following the procedure.

BREAST LIFT CANDIDATES

While many women can benefit from a breast lift to counteract the physical changes of aging, breastfeeding, or weight loss, the procedure is not right for everyone.

BREAST LIFTS CAN ADDRESS THESE AESTHETIC CONCERNS:

Breast sagging
Excessively large areola
Downward-facing nipples

BREAST LIFT CANDIDATES:

Does not smoke
Has realistic expectations
Can take time off to recover
Is mentally and physically healthy
Accepts that all surgery carries a degree of risk
Does not plan to have more children or lose a significant amount of weight after their surgery

BREAST LIFT INCISION TYPES

Depending on the extent of breast laxity, your Phoenix breast lift surgeon at Southwest Breast may discuss the following types of breast lifts with you:

LOLLIPOP BREAST LIFT INCISION

This type of breast lift has an incision around the areolar border, followed by a vertical incision down the lower pole of the breast. The incision pattern resembles the shape of a lollipop. This method is also known as a vertical breast lift.

ANCHOR BREAST LIFT INCISION

The anchor breast lift is similar to the lollipop incision with an added curve at the inframammary fold. The resulting scar looks similar to the shape of an anchor. This method has the most extensive scarring and provides the most lift.

DONUT BREAST LIFT INCISION

The surgeons at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics do not perform the donut breast lift technique, as they find it doesn’t not effectively address aesthetic concerns.

CRESCENT BREAST LIFT INCISION

The surgeons at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics do not perform the crescent breast lift technique, as they find it doesn’t not effectively address aesthetic concerns.

BREAST AUGMENTATION COMPLEMENTARY PROCEDURE

Your Southwest Breast surgeon can perform a breast lift with or without breast augmentation. Breast augmentation, also called breast enhancement, generally refers to placing implants into the breast pocket. This is done to restore upper pole volume to the breasts and may further enhance the lifting effect of your breast lift procedure.

LEADING UP TO YOUR BREAST LIFT

Your doctor might recommend you undergo a baseline mammogram before the procedure. That will help the doctor identify any post-surgical changes in your breast tissue. If you smoke, you should stop.

You will probably need to avoid some medicines or supplements that could increase bleeding. You’ll want to arrange for some help during your recovery, including someone to drive you home after the surgery. It’s important to be in good shape in advance of your surgery. Be active. Work out. And here’s an opportunity to lose some weight if you need to!

Chandler Breast Lift patient in a white top

IT’S “GAME DAY.” WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?

The procedure will be done in either a hospital or an outpatient surgical facility. While some breast lifts are performed under sedation and local anesthesia which numbs only parts of your body, general anesthesia is more widely recommended.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A BREAST LIFT?

Your surgeon might make incisions around the areola or extending downward from the areola or perhaps horizontally along the breast creases. The technique chosen by your surgeon will determine the location of the incisions and any resulting scars. The surgeon may use stitches deep within your breasts to lift and reshape them. Excess breast skin will be removed and your nipples may be shifted to higher positions. As the procedure concludes, the surgeon will then bring together the breast skin and close your incisions using stitches or surgical tape.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER BREAST LIFT SURGERY?

The operation typically takes two to four hours. Your breasts will then be covered with gauze and a surgical support bra. Typically this procedure does not require drain tubes, however on occasion small tubes may be placed at the incision sites to drain excess blood or fluid. After your body clears the anesthesia, you can go home the same day. Most patients need only over-the-counter pain medication.

OKAY. I’M INTERESTED. NOW WHAT?

Schedule a breast lift consultation at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics in Phoenix. To go forward, you’ll need to provide your full medical history including the results of any mammograms or breast biopsies. Inform the doctor if you have a family history of breast cancer. You will then undergo a physical exam to assess your treatment options. Finally, make sure you express your goals and expectations and discuss them fully and realistically with the surgeon.

WILL MY INSURANCE PAY FOR MY BREAST LIFT?

Since the procedure is generally considered cosmetic surgery, probably not. The cost of breast lift surgery ranges from $8,000 to $30,000, but that can vary widely depending on the complexity of your procedure and the type of anesthesia you have.

Always insist on a board-certified and experienced plastic surgeon because ultimately the least expensive surgery is the one done right the first time. Check with your doctor to see if financing and payment plans are available. Many women have found that breast lift surgery has improved and enhanced their appearance, their self-confidence, and their overall enjoyment of life.

But this is a procedure that requires the very best surgeons and the very best care. Our doctors have the training, the experience, the dedication, and the personal commitment to their patients to make sure your breast lift surgery is performed at the highest level. Breast lift surgery could very well be right for you. You’re invited to schedule your initial consultation at Southwest Breast and Aesthetics in Phoenix, AZ today!

TRACKING YOUR RESULTS

After making a full recovery after a breast lift Phoenix patients can enjoy the benefits of having more youthful and perky breasts.

HOW SOON WILL I SEE RESULTS?

You should see results immediately. From there, expect to see 75 percent of your final results in three to four months. The remaining improvement may take up to a year. You should be able to return to an office job after a week. Following your surgery, any drainage tubes that were inserted will be removed within a few days.

HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY?

If non-dissolvable stitches were used, they will be removed in the doctor’s office one to two weeks following your surgery. Your breasts will be swollen and bruised for up to one month. You will have at least some soreness around your incisions, and you may experience some numbness in your nipples and areola for about three months. Avoid straining, bending, lifting, and sexual activity for up to six weeks.

DOES NIPPLE SENSATION CHANGE AFTER A BREAST LIFT?

Numbness can persist in the nipples and areola for three months. Changes in nipple sensation are temporary, although some patients may experience prolonged numbness. Others report a slight increase in nipple sensitivity. Most patients do not notice any permanent changes in sensation after making a full recovery.

MAINTAINING YOUR RESULTS

To maximize and maintain your results, it’s important to avoid significant weight gain. You’ll need to wear a support bra for several months after your surgery and should avoid going braless for an extended period.

BREAST LIFT FAQS

Can breasts sag after a lift?

Breast lifts (mastopexy) aim to lift the breasts and apex to a more youthful position. However, it will not stop the aging process. As the skin and underlying tissues continue to lose elasticity, the breasts may develop ptosis and require a second lift. Galaflex, an absorbable mesh scaffold, may be recommended to you for long lasting results.

Is a breast lift safer than implants?

Both have a high safety profile, but a breast lift is safer in patients with adequate volume as there is no implant. Patients may experience issues including but not limited to capsular contracture or implant malposition after breast implants.

Is it possible to get a breast lift without scars?

While there are non-surgical breast lift options advertised to firm and lift the breasts, the results are modest compared to breast lift surgery. All forms of surgery produce a scar. Your surgeon at Southwest Breast will minimize scarring as much as possible and provide aftercare instructions to promote scar fading.

Will a breast lift reduce breast size?

Unlike breast reduction, the purpose of a breast lift is not to reduce the size of overly large breasts. To elevate the breasts to a perkier position, your surgeon may remove some of the breast tissue. If you are averse to losing any breast volume, your surgeon may recommend options such as prosthesis (breast implants) to accompany your breast lift surgery. If you’d prefer to use your own tissue, your surgeon may recommend a fat transfer breast augmentation.

Breast Lift In Phoenix, AZ