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