Who should consider a breast lift?
Let’s start with a simple, non-scientific test. All you’ll need is a pencil. First, lift your breast with one hand. Next, place a pencil in the crease of the underside of your breast. Release your breast, then let go of the pencil. If it falls, you do not suffer from droopy breasts. If the pencil is held in place, your breasts are drooping. While this is obviously not a medical test, it could mean it’s time to consult with a cosmetic surgeon about a breast lift.
The ultimate goal of a mastopexy, or breast lift, procedure is to improve breast shape, symmetry, projection, and provide a more youthful appearance.
There are many other physical reasons to consider a breast lift:
- your breast size is perfectly acceptable to you but they still droop.
- your breasts have lost firmness or fullness.
- you have nipples or areolas that point downward,
- your breasts don’t match in size or relative position.
- age, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight loss
These are all conditions that may be remedied with a breast lift. It may also be noted that your cosmetic surgeon may recommend a mastopexy in addition to breast augmentation if breast implants alone won’t achieve your desired results.
Breast Lift Procedure
There are a few incisions and methods that a cosmetic surgeon can use, but in all procedures incisions are made to reposition the nipple and areola in a more central, symmetrical position, forward-facing position. This is also an opportunity for stretched areolas to be repaired. The nipple and areola remain attached to the tissue below, so sensitivity and the ability to breast feed are not affected. Sometimes excess skin is removed as well, and in some instances a breast augmentation or reduction is also utilized to achieve the results the patient wants. In all cases, the scars can easily be hidden in a swimsuit.
While breast lifts are not considered to be terribly invasive on their own, care must be taken when recovering to ensure firstly; the patients remains healthy, and secondly; the results are not undone due to a lack of care.
Breast Lift Recovery
- Within one day of the procedure short sessions of physical movement are recommended.
- Within a few days of your breast lift surgery, any surgical drains will be removed and your dressings will be either changed or removed. After several days you should be able to move about comfortably.
- For the first week a patient should avoid stretching, bending or lifting to avoid bleeding or increasing the swelling. Sleeping on one’s back can also avoid unwarranted pressure on the breasts, and for two to five days the chest region will be sore. In most cases, patients can return to work within a week, depending on their profession.
- For two weeks after the surgery, avoid excessive physical activity, including sexual activity. A support bra may also be recommended while the swelling abates.
- The stitches are removed in stages in the one to three weeks following the surgery.
- Incisions are expected to remain pink for many months after the procedure, and it can take up to a year for sensitivity to return to normal.
The return to a youthful firmness and fullness in your breasts will ensure satisfaction with your mastopexy procedure. If you would like more information about breast lifts and other plastic surgery options, contact Dr. Adil Ladak’s plastic and cosmetic surgery practice in Edmonton, Alberta, today, and schedule your consultation. 780-407-6691.
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