Perky, Youthful-Looking Breasts
Breast lift surgery corrects sagging (ptosis) and restores the breasts to a more youthful-looking, aesthetically pleasing position on the chest wall. A breast lift will also improve the overall shape of a woman’s breasts.
A breast lift is a popular procedure for women who experience breast sagging and skin laxity due to pregnancy, breastfeeding weight fluctuations or aging. Your breasts may look flat or deflated prior to a breast lift. Dr. Mark H. Schwartz may perform breast lift as a stand-alone procedure, or as part of a combination procedure with another breast or abdominal surgery.
Candidates for Breast Lift
Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Schwartz evaluates breast lift candidates on a one-on-one basis to determine whether they will be good candidates for surgery. Generally, breast lift candidates are women with stretched skin and diminished breast volume, due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant weight loss or aging. Some candidates may seek breast lift to correct noticeable asymmetry between the breasts (i.e., if one breast sags more than the other does). Candidates should be non-smokers, in good health without chronic medical conditions that could raise the surgical risks.
During consultation, Dr. Schwartz examines the candidate’s breasts, noting the amount of skin laxity and breast tissue. He asks the candidate to describe her ideal breast lift outcome. All of this information is used to draft the surgical treatment plan.
View More Before & After Photos
Breast Lift Surgery Details
Breast lift is usually performed on an outpatient basis at Dr. Schwartz’s on-site surgical facility. Anesthesia is administered to keep patients comfortable throughout surgery. An expert team continuously monitors the patient at all times.
Dr. Schwartz begins by making the surgical incisions on the breast. The specific pattern selection depends on the degree of ptosis (breast sagging). A greater degree of droop often requires a more extensive incision. For breasts that do not require a great degree of elevation, the incisions may be limited to the areola, or the darkly pigmented skin around the nipple. Breasts with a greater degree of sagging may require an incision in the shape of a lollipop (around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease) or anchor (around the nipple, vertically down to the breast crease and horizontally along the crease). Dr. Schwartz strives to use the most minimal incisions possible to achieve the optimum results for each patient.
Dr. Schwartz will then remove excess breast skin and sculpts the tissue to improve the position and shape of the breast mound. He will also reduce oversized areolas and correct downward-pointing nipples, if necessary. When he has completed the procedure, he then closes the incisions with dissolvable sutures and places bandages on the incisions to ensure maximum healing. A supportive garment is placed around the breasts to provide slight compression as the breasts heal.
Recovering from Breast Lift
Swelling, bruising and soreness are common side effects after breast lift surgery. Temporary changes in nipple sensitivity is another normal side effect. These symptoms are temporary and will resolve within a few days to a week. Oral medication is prescribed to manage post-operative discomfort.
It is important to rest and relax during the initial recovery period. Short walks are encouraged, but strenuous activity, including bending and lifting, aerobic exercise, and running should be avoided. Dr. Schwartz and his staff will provide detailed instructions for how to care for your incisions, wearing the compression garment and returning to the office for follow-up visits. Though every patient recovers differently, most return to work after one week, and exercise after three to four weeks.
Scarring will fade over time with proper incision care, and in most cases, no further treatment will be needed. Dr. Schwartz’s patients universally agree that subtle scarring is a good trade-off to achieve a more attractive and youthful breast shape and size.
Learn More about Breast Lift
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mark H. Schwartz or to find out more about breast lift surgery.
