Breast Lift
Breasts can sag and droop after having children or losing a significant amount of weight. Sometimes, women have naturally sagging breasts where their breast tissue and nipple hangs below the breast crease. Unfortunately, as we age, our breasts tend to go sag as well thanks to gravity. Breast lift surgery is designed to correct this problem.*
*Individual results may vary.
Scars for shape
Sagging breasts usually have excess skin that needs to be reduced surgically. The breasts are lifted and shape improved by creating incisions (scars) on the breasts to remove this extra skin. It is important for patients to understand that this surgery is a tradeoff; the creation of scars is necessary to help shape the breast into a more attractive shape and position. Typical placement of the scars includes a delicate scar around the areola (dark part around the nipple), a vertical scar under the areola that is visible, and sometimes a scar in the breast crease. Over the course of a year, the scars lighten and may even fade depending on your pigmentation and scarring potential.*
*Individual results may vary.
Call Today for More Info on Breast Breast Lifts
Will you need an implant too?
In some women, breast sag is accompanied by loss of volume in the top of their breasts. This creates a “hollowed out” or “deflated” look on the upper part of the breasts. A breast lift surgery is usually not enough to correct this problem. Depending on the type of result you want, a simultaneous breast augmentation with a small implant may be needed to create attractive breasts. However, this is optional and Dr. Wong will discuss your surgical goals with you. Women who are good candidates for both a breast lift and augmentation are typically very happy with the improvement in their breast shape after this surgery.*
*Individual results may vary.
One surgery or two?
Patients who need a breast lift and a breast augmentation can choose to do it in one surgery or two separate surgeries. When breast augmentation surgery is performed with a breast lift in the same surgery, it is called a “mastopexy-augmentation”. A majority of Dr. Wong’s patients have the breast lift and augmentation performed at the same time. The advantages of this is only 1 time under general anesthesia, 1 recovery downtime, and is less expensive (1 facility fee). Some patients may be better candidates for two surgeries if the blood supply to their breasts is not optimal.
What the surgery will be like
Breast lift surgery is done on an outpatient basis where you will get to go home the same day. It is performed under general anesthesia where an anesthesiologist monitors you closely and safely. The actual surgery will usually be approximately 2 to 4 hours long, depending on the shape, size, and symmetry of your breasts. If breast augmentation is being performed at the same time, the surgery may take 3 to 4 hours. You will be placed in a soft bra with dressings after the surgery. There are no drains required. You are then taken to the recovery room where a nurse monitors you and once you have recovered from anesthesia (usually after about an hour), you will get to go home with your family that same day. It is important that you have a driver (not a taxi, Uber, or yourself!) because it can be dangerous to drive immediately after having general anesthesia.
For the first few days, your breasts will feel sore. Dr. Wong will see you in the office within a week of your surgery and have you start doing scar massage.
Returning to work
Depending on what type of occupation you have, most patients take 1 week off from work. For patients who have more strenuous, labor-intensive jobs, they should ask for light duty or be excused from work for the full 4-6 weeks. You do not want to do any heavy lifting or extreme exercise during this recovery period. This does not mean you should be lying in bed all the time or under house arrest though; walking is encouraged!
Dr. Wong recommends that you use a soft bra while you are recovering and avoid any hard underwire bras as these rub against your fresh scars. Do not go and buy expensive new bras immediately after surgery. You may still have some normal postoperative swelling that needs to settle first or else you will be finding yourself trying to return new bras that don’t fit just right. You can typically go bra shopping in approximately 2-3 months.
Contact Our Office
Dr. Wendy Wong is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is dedicated to providing you with excellent cosmetic services and beautiful results that you can carry with confidence. If you’re interested in learning more about breast lift surgery, call and schedule an appointment with Dr. Wong today so she can optimize and personalize this surgery to you. She looks forward to meeting you!