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If you feel that your breasts are weighing you down or sagging, and you are unable to improve them with exercise or by wearing special bras, you may want to consider having a breast lift. At Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sinno will evaluate your breasts and recommend specific techniques to enhance their appearance.

What is a breast lift?
What causes breasts to sag and droop too much?
Who is a good candidate for a breast lift?
How is a breast lift done?
What results can you expect with a breast lift?
How can you prepare for your breast lift?
What can you expect when you are healing?
How long will results last?
What are the possible side effects or risks?
Are there other procedures that could be done along with a breast lift?
Will insurance pay for a breast lift?
Next steps …

WHAT IS A BREAST LIFT?
A breast lift (medically called “mastopexy”) is a surgical procedure that raises and reshapes sagging breasts.

A breast lift can also reduce the size of the darker area around your nipples (the areola) which may become enlarged or stretched after pregnancy or nursing a baby.

WHAT CAUSES BREASTS TO SAG AND DROOP TOO MUCH?
Sagging breasts can be caused by a number of factors. Your sagging breasts may be due to one or more of the following conditions:

Pregnancy
Nursing a baby
A genetic predisposition for droopy breasts
The effects of gravity over time

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A BREAST LIFT?
Many women consider a mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing their babies have stretched the skin of their breasts or reduced the general volume of the breasts.

Women with mild breast sagging can be effectively treated with breast augmentation alone (with an implant).

You are good candidate for a mastopexy if you ….

Have a desire to enhance your appearance by lifting and contouring sagging, heavy or droopy breasts
Are in good general health
Are emotionally stable
Are realistic about what the surgery can accomplish for you

Breasts of any size can be lifted with the mastopexy surgery. Breast lift can be combined with augmentation or reduction procedures, as needed.

Special note: If you are planning to get pregnant, you may want to wait to do your breast lift. Any additional stretching from pregnancy or nursing can then be corrected.

HOW IS A BREAST LIFT DONE?
A breast lift is usually done on an outpatient basis at the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery. You will get an general anesthetic so that you sleep throughout the procedure. The surgery takes anywhere from 2-4 hours to complete.

The type and location of the incision used to lift your breast will depend on your anatomy and the position of your breasts. Usually incisions are made around the nipple and areola, and in the crease under your breast.

As shown in the graphic to the right, after making the incision, Dr. Sinno will reposition your nipple and areola, remove excess skin, and reshape your breast to a more normal position. Stitches are usually placed around the areola, in a vertical line extending down from the nipple, and along the lower crease of the breast. In many cases, Dr. Sinno uses minimal incision techniques, including the periareolar and vertical mastopexy techniques. In the periareolar technique (or concentric mastopexy) the incision is limited to a line around the edge of the areola. It even allows the use of a breast implant for augmentation, if indicated. The vertical mastopexy technique (or "lollipop incision mastopexy") uses an incision around the areola with a vertical line below the areola towards the breast crease.

If you are also having breast augmentation, the implant will be inserted in a pocket right under the breast tissue or deeper in your chest wall, under the muscle.

WHAT RESULTS CAN YOU EXPECT WITH A BREAST LIFT?
Breast lift surgery will elevate your breasts, giving you a more youthful contour. Your nipples and areola will be adjusted to a desired size and height. After you fully heal from the surgery, you will likely feel an increased sense of well being and self confidence about your appearance.

Initial consultation
You will have a comprehensive consultation with the staff at the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery, which includes:

Discussion of your goals and expectations. Dr. Sinno will ask you how you want your breasts to look.
Evaluation and measurement of your breasts.
Discussion of other procedures that you may want to consider to enhance your breasts, such as breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery
Discussion of potential risks and limitations of the surgery
Outline of how the surgery is done, the anesthesia used for the procedure and what to expect
Details about costs
Answers for any questions you have

Be ready to provide the following information:

Complete medical history
List of medications you take, including use of aspirin and other over the counter medications, vitamins and herbal supplements
Details about your tobacco and alcohol consumption

Before your surgery date

Mammogram. You may need to have a mammogram done before the procedure.
Live right. The best way to prepare your body for any surgical procedure is to make healthy lifestyle choices in the weeks beforehand. If you prepare your body for surgery, your “back-to-normal time” is often reduced.
Exercise regularly.
Get adequate sleep.
Eat right.
Take vitamin supplements.
Reduce stress.

Depend on someone. Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery. You may want to have someone to help you at home for the first day or two while you recuperate.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WHILE YOU ARE HEALING?

Right after surgery

Your breasts will be swollen and bruised.
You will be uncomfortable for a couple of days. Pain should not be severe and can be relieved with prescribed pain mediation.
Your breasts will be bandaged with gauze and you will wear an elastic surgical bra or sports bra over the gauze dressing. This bra holds the breasts in a perfect position.

Breast care

Your breast skin may feel very dry after surgery. Apply a moisturizer several times during the day. Avoid getting it on or near the stitches.
Do not tug at your breasts or the skin.
You can expect numbness in your nipples and breast skin. This is caused by swelling after surgery. The numbness normally disappears within 6 weeks or so.

Bleeding

Expect some oozing of blood on the long incision line around and under your breasts.
If you experience more than slow staining of the gauze dressings, apply firm pressure for 30 minutes, before calling Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery.
For heavy bleeding, which is very rare, apply firm pressure and call Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery immediately.

You will wear a special bra

A few days after the procedure, the surgical bra will be switched to a soft support bra.
You must wear this specialized bra at all times over layer of gauze—even while sleeping-- for 3 weeks after surgery
You can take the elastic bra off while you shower. Put it back on immediately after drying off.
If the bra is too tight, be sure to call us at Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery. Pinching bras can cause skin problems. After 3 weeks you may sleep without the bra.
Do not go braless for at least 6 weeks after surgery—except while sleeping—for 4-6 weeks after the surgery.
When you switch to using your own bras, you will probably be more comfortable wearing one without an underwire until you heal completely.

Getting back to normal

You will be up and around within a day or two after surgery.
Once the gauze dressings are removed, you can shower or take a bath. If the steri-strips across the incision line come loose, you can take them off.
You can go back to work or school within 7 days, depending on how you feel.
Do not drive for 4-6 days. Wait until you have no pain when driving.
Plan on not having sex for about a week.
Strenuous sports and aerobic activities should be avoided for 4-5 weeks. Resume these activities slowly. Let your body tell you what it can tolerate.

What you might notice

Your breasts may heal at different rates. One may swell, one may feel less comfortable than the other, or the shapes may look different at first. When fully recovered, your breasts will look very similar and natural.
You may have tingling, burning or shooting pains in your breasts as your sensory nerves heal after surgery. Do not be alarmed. These feelings will go away with time. Talk with Dr. Sinno about pain medication if the discomfort bothers you.

Diet and Nutrition
Good diet and nutrition will help your body heal better, and faster, after a surgical procedure.

Drink plenty of water or clear fluids; up to 64 ounces a day is recommended
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables with every meal
Eat small amounts of protein with every meal
Eat every 4-5 hours; do not wait longer to eat
Eat more frequent meals, with fewer calories per meal
Eat breakfast within an hour after you get up
Use vitamin supplements, especially antioxidants, to promote healing and renew energy

HOW LONG WILL RESULTS LAST?
A breast lift will not keep your breasts lifted indefinitely. The effects of aging and gravity, pregnancy and weight changes may eventually cause your breasts to sag. The amount of “new” sagging is unpredictable and will vary among women.

If you have breast implants along with a breast lift, you may find the results of the breast lift do last longer.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OR RISKS?
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for you can only be determined during your consultation with Dr. Sinno prior to performing the procedure.

You can reduce chance of risk by closely following instructions before and after the procedure that are provided by Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery.

Scars
The location of the scar lines depends on the mastopexy technique used (see "How is a breast lift done?" above). Scars may look puckered for a while after surgery but this will eventually disappear. Scars will become flat and fade with time. They are red at first, but will fade in a year or two.

Sometimes wider scars do not disappear and may require additional treatment, possibly surgery.

Asymmetry
A small number of women have slight asymmetry—an imbalance of their breasts—after surgery. This can be corrected with a second surgery.

ARE THERE OTHER PROCEDURES THAT COULD BE DONE ALONG WITH A BREAST LIFT?
A breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery may enhance the results of your breast lift. You can explore the options with Dr. Sinno at your initial consultation.

WILL INSURANCE PAY FOR A BREAST LIFT?
A breast lift is considered a cosmetic treatment. It is not covered by insurance. You are responsible for full payment.

NEXT STEPS . . .
Please contact the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery to set up an appointment for a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Sinno to explore your interests and answer your questions about various aspects of this plastic surgery.