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