Breast Lift to Rejuvenate Your Breasts
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, the normal aging process, and genetics can all cause breasts to sag and lose elasticity. A breast lift, can rejuvenate the bust line and help restore confidence. Dr. Matthew Schulman is among the most well-respected researchers, authors, and teachers of advanced breast lift techniques. Dr. Schulman’s New York City practice draws patients from all over the country who desire the most advanced breast contouring techniques.
A Breast lift raises the elevates the breast on the chest wall, lift the nipple, reduces excess skin, and creates a new breast contour. A breast lift creates a lifted and perky breast, but does not change the size of the breasts. It is a good option for women who are satisfied with the amount of breast tissue but feel their breasts are simply too saggy. Women who like the appearance of their breasts in a push-up bra, would likely benefit from a breast lift procedure. For those who desire their breast to be lifted AND largery, a breast lift can be combined with breast implants.
Like any surgical procedure, breast lift surgery is a serious decision. Learn more about what the surgery involves and whether it may be right for your body and your aesthetic goals.
Is Breast Lift Right for Me?
Mastopexy, or breast lift, is popular among women who desire to:
- Reverse breast changes of pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss, often as part of a mommy makeover
- Reduce breast sagging and drooping
- Correct breast asmmetry
- Reduce areolar size
While breast augmentation (breast implants) remains the most common cosmetic surgery in the United States, breast lift is actually growing more than breast augmentation, according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Breast lifts have grown at a rate of 108% since 2000, more than twice the rate of growth of breast augmentation. Breast lifts are popular in part because of their ability to change the breast shape without the need for a breast implant.
During your consultation with Dr. Schulman, he will examine your body, noting your breast shape, degree of sagging or drooping, nipple location, quality of breast tissue and skin. These are all factors in determining which breast procedure is best for you. Dr. Schulman will develop a personalized treatment plan that takes into account both your body and your desired appearance.
Breast Lift does not significantly alter the size of your breasts. For women who want their breasts to appear larger, combining breast lift and breast augmentation may be necessary.
Conversely, some women want less breast tissue, so they may combine breast reduction and breast lift.
While breast lift is likely to have long-lasting effects for most women, it’s unlikely the results will last forever. Some amount of sagging in the breasts is an unavoidable result of the normal aging process. It’s especially important for women who have large breasts who choose to have a breast lift. It’s very likely that large-breasted women will experience sagging in the future because their breasts are simply heavier than women with smaller breasts.
Also, consider your life plans. If you intend to have children in the future, it may be best to delay your breast lift surgery since pregnancy and breastfeeding can undo the results of a breast lift. Additionally, a small number of women who have breast lift may have difficulty breastfeeding after their surgery.
Your weight and fitness journey also plays a role. The ideal breast lift patient is one who has maintained their current weight for an extended period and is at or near their ideal weight. Fluctuations in weight, up or down, can cause the breasts to change.
Before Your Surgery
During your consultation with Dr. Schulman, he’ll review your surgical goals with you but also will discuss your medical history, including any history in your family of breast-related health issues, including breast cancer. If you have had a mammogram or breast biopsy, you should share the results with Dr. Schulman, who may also recommend that you get a baseline mammogram before and one after your surgery. This can help your physician in the future to diagnose any issues in your breast tissue.
The consultation is also the best time for you to ask any questions you might have about the procedure in general and more specifically about your body and the surgical plan that Dr. Schulman recommends.
Once you’ve established your treatment plan, it’s time to ensure your body is ready for surgery. You should continue eating healthy and exercising regularly, as that’s good not only for your overall health, but strong, healthy bodies usually bounce back more quickly from surgery.
Of course, you should not smoke anyway, but if you do, you’ll need to quit for at least four weeks before and eight weeks after your surgery. Smoking decreases blood flow and could increase your risk for surgical complications such as tissue death and infection. Also, some medications and popular over-the-counter supplements can increase your risk of bleeding, so be sure to disclose all medications and supplements you are taking. Consult with Dr. Schulman’s team to ensure you stop the medications that can increase the risk of complications during your surgery.
Breast Lift Procedure
Every surgery is different, as each patient has their own unique set of physical factors and aesthetic goals. The specific techniques Dr. Schulman will use are designed to minimize incisions and decrease scarring compared to traditional breast lift procedures.
The techniques used in your procedure will depend on the size and shape of your breasts, the degree of sagging, the size and position of your areolas, and the elasticity of your skin. You’ll know well before the procedure the specific techniques Dr. Schulman plans on using, as that’s something you’ll discuss during your consultation.
Once anesthesia has been administered and you are ready for surgery, Dr. Schulman will begin by making a series incisions in your breast. The location and pattern of the incisions will depend on your breast shape and areola size.
After the incision is made, the underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped. Then the nipple and areola are moved to a higher and more youthful positions. Large areolas are made smaller. Excess breast skin is then removed.
The final step after the breasts have been lifted and reshaped is to close the incisions. Depending on the location of your incisions, they may be concealed in the breast’s natural contours, but they may be visible. Dr. Schulman will determine the best incision placement based on your anatomy and surgical goals. Your incision lines will fade over time.
Breast Lift Surgery Recovery
At our New York City practice, it’s typical for breast lift patients to return to work or school within about a week after surgery, but Dr. Schulman and staff will provide you with detailed instructions to ensure proper healing and comfort.
After surgery, your breasts may be covered in gauze and you will need to wear a soft surgical support bra. Your breasts also will feel swollen and bruised for a couple of weeks after surgery, but most patients are able to control their pain through prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers. Gently applying ice to sore areas can alleviate pain, but remember not to apply too much pressure or leave ice packs on for more than a few minutes at a time.
You should avoid strenuous activity and should not lift weight heavier than 10 pounds for two weeks after your surgery, and Dr. Schulman will advise you on when it’s safe to return to your normal activities. You should sleep on your back or side so you can keep pressure off your breasts. The area will be tender for some time, so avoid movements that cause your breasts to bounce and watch out for anything that could touch your chest.
It’s not uncommon for numbness in the nipple and areola to last for as long as six weeks, but normal sensation should begin to return as the nerves recover.
Though your breasts will be sore immediately following the surgery, the results of a breast lift appear right away. You’ll be able to see your new shape as soon as you wake up. Scars will fade over time. Dr. Schulman will do his best to hide the incisions when possible.
You should be sure to follow all post-operative instructions Dr. Schulman and our staff provide, but here are some other breast lift recovery tips:
- Plan to take at least a week off work and two weeks if you can.
- Keep your incisions clean and dry and inspect them every day for signs of infection.
- Arrange for help around the house, especially if you have small children. You will be under activity restrictions, so something as seemingly simple as vacuuming could potentially impact your recovery.
- Eat healthy foods, particularly ones with protein, as that can help generate new cell growth and improve circulation. This can help aid in wound healing.
- Do not smoke or vape. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, which can make it harder for your body to heal the incisions.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes, ideally ones that zip in the front. You will likely experience discomfort when lifting your arms over your head, so choose clothes that don’t require that motion.
- Get plenty of rest and sleep. Ensure that you will be able to relax your mind as well as your body.
- Drink lots of clear fluids, such as water. Avoid juice or other drinks that are heavy in sugar.
- Don’t overexert yourself, but don’t be too sedentary. Consider taking short walks to encourage blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots.
Questions and Answers about Breast Lift Surgery
Q: What type of anesthesia is used?
A: You will be completely asleep with general anesthesia for your breast lift.
Q: How long does the procedure take?
A: The surgical time will depend on exactly what you need done and how much lifting your require. In general, a breast lift takes two to three hours.
Q: Can I go home the same day?
A: Yes, a breast lift is done as an outpatient procedure. You will be able to go home a few hours after your procedure.
Q: Does it hurt?
A: As with any surgery, you should be prepared for pain, but a breast lift tends to be well tolerated. It is one of the least painful cosmetic surgery procedures there is. We can never promise no pain, but people are generally surprised at how little pain they experience. Dr. Schulman will provide you with all necessary pain medications.
Q: Where are the scars after a breast lift?
A: The scars will depend on how much lift you require. For very small lift, sometimes the scar only needs to be around the areola. If more lifting is needed, then you will also require an up-and-down scar. This is referred to as a “lollipop lift”. For more severe drooping, you will require an “Anchor lift” pattern where there is also an a scar in the breast fold. Dr. Schulman will be able to tell you where your scars will be, before your surgery.
Q: Can I breastfeed after a breast lift?
A: During a breast lift, the milk-producing mechanism of the breast is unaltered so you should be able to breastfeed. There is a very small percentage of women who may have difficulty breastfeeding so we recommend waiting until after having children, if breastfeeding is important to you.
Q: Will there be a change in sensation of my breasts?
A: Anytime an incision is made on the skin, small sensory nerves can be affected. This means that it is almost certain that there will be some numbness of your breast skin and nipples. However, this tends to last only a few weeks and the small nerves will sprout again. In rare cases of breasts that require significant lifting, there can be permanent decrease in sensation. Luckily this occurs in a small proportion of cases, and even if there is a decrease in sensation, it does not mean that there is no sensation. Also, in some cases, there can even be an increase in sensation since the lifting of the breast also reduces the stretching of the nerves.
Q: Can a breast lift be combined with other procedures?
A: Yes, it is common for a breast lift to performed together with other body contouring procedures. A “mommy makeover” is an operation that often includes cosmetic breast surgery (such as a breast lift, breast reduction, or breast augmentation) with liposuction, tummy tuck, and brazilian butt lift. During your consultation, you can speak with Dr. Schulman about the other areas of your body that may be bothering you, and he can discuss if a combined procedure is a good idea.
Q: Will my breasts droop again?
A: Breast drooping is a normal part of the aging process. As the skin ages, and loses its elasticity, it is unable to hold up the weight of your breasts. This means that over time, as you age, your breasts may begin to droop again. Hopefully though, it will take many many years. You have to remember that any cosmetic procedure does not stop the aging process. It only turns the clock back.
Schedule Your Breast Lift Consultation Today
Is breast lift surgery right for you? Interested in learning more or scheduling a consultation? Click here to learn how breast lift surgery can help you restore a more youthful figure by scheduling your appointment at our New York City practice today. You can also fill out the contact form below and we get back to you immediately. If you you are coming from out of town please click here to arrange you travel.
