| Breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, restores a | | | | The plastic surgeon may be able to perform a |
| more youthful appearance to a woman's breasts. | | | | minimal incision, 'scarless' mastopexy. This lift is |
| Over the years breasts can lose their shape and | | | | done entirely through an incision around the areola. |
| firmness due to pregnancy, nursing and loss of | | | | Possible Complications |
| skin elasticity, causing them to sag. Mastopexy will | | | | As with any surgery, there are possible |
| raise and reshape breasts slowing the effects of | | | | complications. A patient may suffer an adverse |
| aging and gravity. This procedure can reduce the | | | | reaction to the anesthesia (rare), or experience |
| size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the | | | | bleeding and infection following a breast lift, |
| nipple. | | | | causing scars to widen. Poor healing and wider |
| The breast lift is commonly performed in | | | | scars are more common with patients who |
| conjunction with breast augmentation (implants) to | | | | smoke. |
| increase breast firmness and size. This may | | | | Because milk ducts are left intact, mastopexy will |
| appeal to women who have lost breast volume | | | | not affect your ability to breast-feed. |
| after pregnancy. Pregnancy and nursing often | | | | For best results, follow your physician's advice |
| result in stretched skin and therefore decreased | | | | both before and after surgery. |
| volume. If you are planning a future pregnancy, it | | | | After Surgery: What to Expect |
| is advisable to postpone your breast lift as | | | | After your breast lift in Los Angeles, your |
| pregnancy will likely cause further stretching. | | | | stitches will be covered with gauze and an elastic |
| As with all plastic surgery, realistic expectations | | | | bandage or a surgical bra will hold the breasts in |
| and emotional stability are important. Though | | | | place. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and |
| breasts of any size can be lifted, women with | | | | you may experience some mild discomfort for a |
| smaller breasts enjoy longer lasting results. | | | | couple of days. Your doctor may prescribe pain |
| The Procedure | | | | medication. A soft support bra replaces the |
| Though not a simple operation, a breast lift is | | | | bandages or surgical bra after a few days. In the |
| normally safe when performed by a qualified | | | | recovery stage, it is important to wear the bra at |
| plastic surgeon. Mastopexy is occasionally | | | | all times. |
| performed in a hospital, but more often is done in | | | | After a week or two, you will return and the |
| an outpatient facility. Breast lifts are usually | | | | stitches will be removed. Some noticeable, |
| performed under general anesthesia. Local | | | | permanent scarring is normal, but easily covered |
| anesthesia may be used with a sedative if the | | | | by your bra or bathing suit. The scars may be |
| incision is small; you'll be awake but relaxed, and | | | | red and lumpy for a few months, eventually |
| will feel minimal discomfort. | | | | fading and becoming less obvious. The procedure |
| The breast lift surgery may take between 1 1/2 | | | | can also leave you with unevenly positioned |
| to 3 1/2 hours. A more common approach | | | | nipples, or a permanent loss of feeling in your |
| involves an incision along the natural contour of | | | | nipples or breasts. |
| the breast where excess skin will be removed. | | | | To ensure proper healing, plan to stay at home |
| The nipple and areola are then repositioned. The | | | | for at least a week before returning to work. You |
| skin surrounding the areola is brought together to | | | | will need to avoid lifting anything over your head |
| reshape the breast, with stitches around the | | | | for 3-4 weeks and avoid strenuous sports for a |
| areola and the lower breast area. | | | | month. |