There are many different variations of breast lift surgery available depending on the degree of breast hang and laxity. All of the procedures result in a scar around the areola but it is hardly noticeable due to the interface between the different skin colors. In some cases that is the only scar but for more extensive lifts there will be a vertical and horizontal scar as well. Again, a beautiful new shape is always more important than the scars which fade away until they are minimally visible.
There is minimal pain post-operatively because only skin and breast tissue is involved. All of the sutures are dissolving and the tape over the incisions falls off after about one week. A mildly compressive bra is worn for several weeks afterward, which provides support and comfort while the breast heals. Most women are able to control the mild discomfort with Tylenol or Advil but you are given a prescription for pain killers in the event that you require more relief.
Your results will be long-lasting and your nipple should remain in good position essentially for the rest of your life. You may find that there is further atrophy of breast tissue as you age resulting in smaller breasts. If that happens, you may consider breast implants to return some of the fullness that you may have lost. If you do need further tightening many years later it is easily done through the same incisions from your first procedure, but most women won’t need this.
I have performed hundreds of breast lifts and all breast procedures are a large part of my practice. I had the opportunity to operate with many surgeons during my training and in doing so developed my own style which incorporates the best of all approaches. In addition to breast lifts I perform breast reduction, breast augmentation, nipple-areolar reduction, and inverted nipple correction, as well as many other breast-related procedures.
I prefer that my patients stay active and in fact require that you are up and walking around the evening of surgery. Light exercise can begin after several days, not including chest-specific weight training though. All restrictions are removed after six weeks, and sometimes even earlier depending on your personal progress. It is important to follow all instructions during the early postoperative period to ensure excellent results. I always remind my patients that they went through the effort to have the surgery and to give themselves the proper time to recover.
You arrive at the facility approximately an hour prior to your scheduled time of surgery. The skilled nursing staff greets you and takes you to a private room in the preoperative area where you change and complete the admission process. You then meet your anesthesiologist who reviews your history with you and explains the procedure of going to sleep and waking up in the most comfortable and safe way possible. I arrive shortly thereafter to mark you for your surgery and answer any last minute questions that you might have. You receive a single dose of intravenous antibiotics as prophylaxis against infection and are then taken into the operating room where you comfortably drift off to sleep and wake up two hours later with your newly contoured breasts. After a short time in the recovery room you are taken back to the private room where you began before surgery. Your nurse then reviews the postoperative instructions that we provided you with and gets you ready for discharge usually within two hours of leaving the operating room. You can expect a call from me that evening to make sure that you are doing well. Remember, my phone number is provided to you and is on 24/7 for my patients.
You are seen in the office the day after your surgery so that Sarah can answer any questions you may have about the early postoperative period. I see you multiple times out to at least one year following your surgery, and anytime after that if you desire. My goal is to provide excellent and long-lasting results in a practice that is always there for you.
