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of skin elasticity, gravity and other
factors such as weight loss, pregnancy
and breast-feeding ultimately affect the
shape and firmness of your breasts. Patients
who are generally satisfied with the size
of their breasts can have a breast lift
to raise and firm them, resulting in a
more youthful breast contour. Some patients
may be unhappy that they have lost a significant
amount of breast volume over time. In
such cases, implants inserted in conjunction
with a breast lift can increase breast
size at the same time as the shape and
position of the breasts are enhanced. |
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Am
I a good candidate for a breast lift?
You
may be a good candidate for breast lift
surgery if you have one or more of the
following conditions: ·
Breasts that are pendulous, but of satisfactory
size.
· Breasts that lack substance or
firmness.
· Nipples and areolas that point
downward, especially if they are positioned
below the breast crease
Sometimes
these conditions may be inherited traits.
In certain cases, the breasts may have
developed differently so that one breast
is firm and well positioned while the
other is not. There may be differences
in the size of your breasts as well as
their shape.
A breast lift can be performed at any
age, but plastic surgeons usually recommend
waiting until breast development has stopped.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding may have
significant and unpredictable effects
on the size and shape of your breasts.
Nevertheless, many women decide to undergo
breast lift surgery before having children
and feel that they can address any subsequent
changes later. Since the milk ducts and
nipples are left intact, breast lift surgery
usually should not affect your ability
to breast-feed; however, in certain cases
it can be affected.
Your Personal Consultation
During
the consultation, you will be asked about
your desired breast shape and size. Your
plastic surgeon will discuss with you
how your nipples and areolas will be repositioned.
You should mention anything else about
your breasts that you would like to see
improved. This will help your surgeon
to understand your expectations and determine
whether they realistically can be achieved. |
How
will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for
breast lift surgery?
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Your
plastic surgeon will examine your breasts,
taking measurements and perhaps photographs
for your medical record. The size and
shape of your breasts, the quality of
your skin, and the placement of the nipples
and areolas will be carefully evaluated.
You should come to the consultation prepared
to discuss your medical history. This
will include information about any medical
conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments
you have received, previous surgeries
including breast biopsies, and medications
that you currently take. It is important
for you to provide complete information.
You should tell your plastic surgeon if
you plan to lose a significant amount
of weight, particularly if you have noticed
that your breasts sag or become smaller
with weight loss. Your surgeon may recommend
that you stabilize your weight before
having surgery.
How
a Breast Lift Is Performed
Individual
factors and personal preferences will
determine the specific technique selected
to lift your breasts.
Where
are the incisions placed?
A
common method of lifting the breasts involves
three incisions. One incision is made
around the areola. Another runs vertically
from the bottom edge of the areola to
the crease underneath the breast. The
third incision is horizontal beneath the
breast and follows the natural curve of
the breast crease.
After
the plastic surgeon has removed excess
breast skin, the nipple and areola are
shifted to a higher position. The areola,
which in a sagging breast may have been
stretched, can be reduced in size. Skin
that was formerly located above the areola
is brought down and together beneath it
to reshape 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.
Incisions
following the breast's natural contour
define the area of excision and the new
location for the nipple and areola. Skin
the shaded area is removed, and the nipple
and areola are moved to a higher position.
Skin formerly located above the areola
is brought down and together beneath it
to reshape the breast.
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What
are some variations to the common breast
lifting technique?
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There
are many variations to the design of the
incisions for breast lift surgery. The
size and shape of your breasts, size of
your areolas, and extent of sagging are
factors that will help your plastic surgeon
determine the best technique for you.
In
some instances, it may be possible to
avoid the horizontal incision beneath
the breast. Sometimes a technique may
be used that avoids this horizontal incision
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, it
will be discussed with you.
If you and your plastic surgeon have decided
that it is desirable to enlarge your breasts
at the same time as they are lifted, this
will require insertion of breast implants.
If this is an option that you wish to
consider, your surgeon will review the
necessary information with you and may
provide you with a brochure on breast
augmentation. |
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Understanding
Risks
Fortunately,
significant complications from breast
lifts are infrequent. Every year, many
thousands of women undergo successful
breast lift surgery, experience no major
problems and are pleased with the results.
Anyone considering surgery, however, should
be aware of both the benefits and risks.
I
understand that every surgical procedure
has risks, but how will I learn more so
that I can make an informed decision?
The
subject of risks and potential complications
of surgery is best discussed on a personal
basis between you and your plastic surgeon,
or with a staff member in your surgeon's
office. Some
of the potential complications that may
be discussed with you include bleeding,
infection and reactions to anesthesia.
Following a breast lift, sometimes the
breasts may not be perfectly symmetrical
or the nipple height may vary slightly.
Minor adjustments often can be made at
a later time. Permanent loss of sensation
in the nipples or areas of breast skin
may occur rarely. Reversionary surgery
may sometimes be helpful in certain instances
where incisions may have healed poorly.
You
can help to lessen certain risks by following
the advice and instructions of your plastic
surgeon, both before and after surgery.
Your
Surgical Experience
The
goal of your plastic surgeon is to make
your surgical experience as easy and comfortable
for you as possible.
How
should I prepare for surgery?
Depending
on your age, or if you have a history
of breast cancer in your family, your
plastic surgeon may recommend a baseline
mammogram before surgery and another mammographic
examination some months after surgery.
This will help to detect any future changes
in your breast tissue. Following a breast
lift, you will still be able to perform
breast self-examination. Breast lift surgery
will not increase your risk of developing
breast cancer.
If
you are a smoker, you will be asked to
stop smoking well in advance of surgery.
Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory
drugs can cause increased bleeding, so
you should avoid taking these medications
for a period of time before surgery. Your
surgeon will provide you with additional
preoperative instructions. Breast lift
surgery is usually performed on an inpatient
basis. Be sure to arrange for someone
to stay with you at least the first night
.What
will the day of surgery be like?
Your
breast lift surgery will be performed
in a hospital. Medications are administered
for your comfort during the surgical procedure.
A general anesthetic is administered,
so that you will be asleep throughout
the procedure. When surgery is completed,
you will be taken into a recovery area
where you will continue to be closely
monitored.
Sometimes,
small drain tubes will have been placed
in your breasts to help avoid the accumulation
of fluids. Gauze or other dressings may
be placed on your breasts and covered
with an elastic bandage or surgical bra.
You may be permitted to go home after
a day or two, unless you and your plastic
surgeon have determined that you will
stay in the hospital or surgical facility
overnight.
How
will I look and feel initially?
The
day after surgery, you will be encouraged
to get out of bed for short periods of
time. After several days, you should be
able to move about more comfortably. Straining,
bending and lifting must be avoided, however,
since these activities might cause increased
swelling or even bleeding. You may be
instructed to sleep on your back to avoid
pressure on your breasts. Any surgical
drains will be removed within a few days
of surgery, at which time your dressings
may also be changed or removed. You may
be instructed to wear a support bra for
a few weeks, until the swelling and discoloration
of your breasts diminish. Generally, stitches
will be removed in stages over a period
of approximately three weeks, beginning
about one week after surgery.
You may notice that you feel less sensation
in the nipple and areola areas. This is
usually temporary. It may, however, take
weeks, months or even more than a year
before sensation returns to normal. Your
breasts may also require some time to
assume a more natural shape. Incisions
will initially be red or pink in color.
They will remain this way for many months
following surgery. |
When
can I resume my normal activities?
After
breast lift surgery, it is often possible
to return to work within a week or so,
depending on your job. In many instances,
you can resume most of your normal activities,
including some form of mild exercise,
after several weeks. You may continue
to experience some mild, periodic discomfort
during this time, but such feelings are
normal. Severe pain should be reported
to your doctor.
Any sexual activity should be avoided
for a minimum of one or two weeks, and
your plastic surgeon may advise you to
wait longer. After that, care must be
taken to be extremely gentle with your
breasts for at least the next several
weeks.
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Results
of a Breast Lift
Breast
lift surgery will make your breasts firmer
and more uplifted. The position of your
areolas and nipples will be enhanced,
and the size of your areolas will be aesthetically
pleasing. The incisions from your breast
lift surgery will heal and fade over time.
It is important to realize, however, that
the incision lines will be permanently
visible. In some instances, they will
eventually be only faint lines. Certain
individuals may have incision lines that
are more noticeable. Fortunately, the
incisions for your breast lift are in
locations easily concealed by clothing,
even low-cut necklines. |
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How
long will the results last?
Unless
you gain or lose a significant amount
of weight or become pregnant, your new
breast shape should remain fairly constant.
However, gravity and the effects of aging
will eventually alter the size and shape
of virtually every woman's breasts. If,
after a period of years, you again become
dissatisfied with the appearance of your
breasts, you may choose to undergo a second
breast lift procedure to restore their
more youthful contour and appearance.
Maintaining
a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon
You
will return to your plastic surgeon's
office for follow-up care at prescribed
intervals, at which time your progress
will be evaluated. Once the immediate
postoperative follow-up is complete, many
surgeons encourage their patients to come
back for periodic checkups to observe
and discuss the long-term results of surgery.
Please remember that the relationship
with your plastic surgeon does not end
when you leave the operating room. If
you have questions or concerns during
your recovery, or need additional information
at a later time, you should contact your
surgeon. |
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