Mastopexy – Breast Lift
Information
Mastopexy – Breast Lift
Case #1 Before & After
Mastopexy – Breast Lift
Case #2 Before & After
Mastopexy – Breast Lift
Case #3 Before & After
Mastopexy – Breast Lift
Case #4 Before & After
Mastopexy – Breast Lift
Case #5 Before & After 500cc
Mastopexy – Breast Lift
Case #6 Before & After 375cc
Mastopexy – Breast Lift
Case #7 Before & After Revision
Mastopexy – Breast Lift
Case #8 Before & After 450cc
Mastopexy – Breast Lift
Case #9 Before & After Revision
Also known as mastopexy and breast lift surgery
A breast lift addresses sagging and uneven breasts, decreased breast volume and drooping nipples and stretched areolas (the darker area surrounding the nipples), recreating a youthful shape and lift to your breasts. If there is too little or too much breast volume, a breast augmentation or breast reduction might be recommended in addition to a lift. Every year, thousands of women undergo successful breast-lift surgery, experience no major problems and are pleased with the results.
When to Consider a Breast Lift
- Pregnancy, nursing, gravity, weight gain or loss, normal aging, and heredity have taken a toll on the shape of your breasts, resulting in sagging
- If your surgeon thinks that breast implants alone are unlikely to achieve the contour you desire
- If the tissue surrounding the nipple or areola has become stretched
Considerations
Pros
- You will have improved breast shape, projection, and symmetry.
- Your breasts will have a more youthful appearance.
- You will look better in and out of clothes and feel more self-confident.
Cons
- The effects of a breast lift might slowly diminish over time because of gravity and aging.
- A breast lift leaves permanent scars that may be visable
- Subsequent pregnancy may compromise your surgical results.
These are the three top pros and cons to weigh when considering a breast lift. If you wish to focus on what is unique to you, please consult with Dr. David Williamson.
Are you a good candidate for a breast lift?
If you’ve become increasingly unhappy about the sagging of your breasts, you may wonder what surgery can do. Don’t be surprised if Dr. David Williamson suggests combining breast augmentation or breast reduction with your lift; adjunct procedures may be necessary to achieve your goals.
The following are some common reasons why you may want to consider a breast lift:
- Breasts that are pendulous but adequate in size.
- Breasts that lack substance or firmness.
- Nipples and areolas that point downward, especially if they are positioned below the breast crease.
- Breasts that appear different from each other; one breast may appear firm and well positioned while the other does not.
- Breasts that are not equal in size.
- Breasts that are large and heavy can be lifted, but the results may not be as long-lasting as a breast lift performed on smaller breasts; the weight of larger breasts works against surgical changes.
- You are finished with childbearing and breast-feeding. If you plan to have children, you may want to postpone cosmetic breast surgery. Pregnancy may stretch the breasts and reduce their volume, compromising surgery benefits.
If you are in good general health, have a positive attitude and realistic expectations, you are most likely a good candidate for this procedure.
How is a breast lift procedure performed?
A breast lift is performed under general anesthesia in our private surgical facility. Different techniques for removing breast skin and reshaping the breast determine the location of the incisions and resulting scars. Dr. David Williamson will select a technique based on your breast size and shape, areola size and position, degree of breast sagging, skin quality and elasticity and how much extra skin you have.
- Dr. David Williamson will remove excess breast skin and shift the nipple and areola to a higher position.
- If your areola has become stretched, it can now be reduced in size.
- Skin that was formerly located above the areola is brought down and together, beneath the breast, to reshape the breast.
- Dr. David Williamson will remove excess skin and close your incisions, tightening the skin, sewing the breast back together and placing sutures deep in the breast tissue to support the new breast position for a longer period of time.
- Scars are usually hidden under the breasts, although some light scarring may be seen on top of the breast.
- The nipples and areolas remain attached to underlying mounds of tissue, and this usually allows for the preservation of sensation and the ability to breast-feed.
- In some patients, it may be possible to avoid the horizontal incision beneath the breast as well as the vertical incision that runs from the bottom edge of the areola to the breast crease. If you are a good candidate for a modified technique, Dr. David Williamson will discuss this with you.
What are my options?
Here is a description of the different incision patterns and techniques that Dr. David Williamson will choose from:
- The “anchor” incision, made around the perimeter of the areola, vertically down from the areola to the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease, produces the most scarring. It is for women with a severe degree of sagging who will not be helped sufficiently by less invasive techniques. This incision, which is the oldest technique, is often used for a breast lift in conjunction with a breast reduction.
- The “lollipop” lift, also known as a “keyhole” incision, made around the perimeter of the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease, is suitable for women with a moderate degree of sagging who will not be helped sufficiently by the periareolar technique and who do not want breast implants.
- The “donut” lift, also known as the “periareolar incision,” made around the perimeter of the areola only, is suitable for women with a mild-to-moderate degree of sagging. In some situations when used in conjunction with the placement of implants, it can produce a satisfactory result for patients with more pronounced sagging.
- The “crescent” lift, which is less commonly used, is an incision that lies just along the upper half of the areola. A crescent-shaped piece of skin is removed above that line, and the surrounding skin is reattached to the areola. This type of lift is usually done in conjunction with breast augmentation in women with minor sagging. It cannot accomplish the same degree of lifting as the other incision techniques.
What will my breast lift incisions and scars be like?
These vary according to the type of incision Dr. David Williamson suggests for you. Dr. David Williamson may be able to conceal some incision lines in natural breast contours, but others will be visible on the breast surface.
A common method of lifting the breasts involves three incisions:
- Around the areolas.
- Extending downward from the areolas to the breast creases.
- Horizontally along the breast creases.
Although incision lines are permanent, in most cases they will fade and significantly improve over time. Dr. David Williamson will make every effort to place scars in hidden areas and minimize them, although some may still be visable. Special tissue handling and suture techniques further minimize scars.