A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape your sagging breasts. A mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume for example after pregnancy breast implants inserted in conjunction with mastopexy can increase both their firmness and their size.
Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on a the breasts of a woman. As skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. This procedure can help reshape your breasts with a more youthful appearance.
During your first consultation, your plastic surgeon will evaluate your general health. discuss what changes can be made to your breasts, discuss what your expectations are, your breasts will be measure, and an individualized plan will be discussed to determine what suits your needs. Each one of the patient's cares and the variables that may affect your surgery such as your age, the size and shape of your breasts, the condition of your skin, and whether an implant is advisable. You will view pre and post op pictures.
A mastopexy usually takes one and a half to three hours and several different techniques for breast lift are discussed and you and your surgeon will choose the one best suited for you. If you have small breasts and minimal sagging, you may be a candidate for the modified surgery that requires a less extensive incision. One such surgery is the doughnut or periareolar mastopexy, in which circular incisions are made around the areola. Your Surgeon will also uses new techniques with specialized mesh to suspend the breast giving longer lasting results.
If you're having an implant inserted along with your breast lift, it will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue, or deeper, under the muscle of the chest wall if you lack the appropriate amount of breast tissue to give your breasts a more natural appearance.
Recovery is not typically difficult. You will be tired and slightly sore for 1 to 3 days following your surgery. After surgery, you'll wear a surgical bra. Your breasts will be slightly bruised, swollen and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain should not be severe. Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved with medications prescribed by your plastic surgeon.
You will meet with your plastic surgeon within the first five days. Absorbable sutures are used. However a few sutures will be removed within two weeks. You will follow up every two to three weeks for two months and then every six months for the first year. After the first year you will return for a follow up visit yearly.
The best candidates for mastopexy are healthy, emotionally stable women who are realistic about what surgery can accomplish. The best results are usually achieved in women with small sagging breasts. Breasts of any size can be lifted, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts. Many women seek mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing have left them with stretched skin and less volume in their breasts. However, if you're planning to have more children, it may be a good idea to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies for example with breast feeding, pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again and offset the results of your surgery.
Whenever surgery is performed on your body a scar will result. Plastic Surgeons prefers to use short scar techniques when possible and will discuss this with you and the exact placement and location of the scars during your consultation. These scars will become pale pink to white in color over six to twelve and will be hidden by your clothing. In the post operative period your plastic surgeon will prescribe several techniques to help your scars heal as best as possible.
As a scar heals it changes in different phases initially being red and firm and progressing to a more mature scar that is similar in color to your other skin and soft to the touch. This maturation process takes six to twelve months. Your plastic surgeon will uses several specialized scar therapy protocols to make your incisions as imperceptible as possible, and explain these protocols to you and monitor your incisions as they mature to give you your optimal result.
Most patients do not complain of the surgery being very painful but describe it as uncomfortable. Postoperative discomfort is well controlled by pain medications as needed. Your pain will decrease over time and be mostly soreness rather than pain.
Most plastic surgeons feels it is safest for the patient when the surgery is performed under general anesthesia. You will be completely asleep with a board certified anesthesiologist monitoring you. Photographs are taken at your first visit, and then after your surgery at about two months, six months and one year.
You should avoid or be off all diet or over the counter weight medications. The only homeopathic medications are those recommended by your surgeon.
Author Resource:-
Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery in Dallas, Texas and cosmetic surgery procedures such as Dallas breast lift, abdominoplasty, liposuction, rhinoplasty, brachioplasty, and rhytidectomy.
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