What is a breast lift?
Breast lift surgery, known in technical terms as mastopexy, is a cosmetic breast enhancement procedure designed to lift and reshape the breasts. This procedure addresses drooping breasts, or tuberous-shaped breasts, transforming them to the rounded ideal many women prefer. A breast lift can also resize the nipple-areola complex.
What are the benefits of breast lift surgery?
Breast lift surgery offers many benefits, including:
- Elevate sagging breasts
- Firmer, fuller, more youthful breasts
- Reduced irritation on the skin under the breasts
- More symmetrical breasts
- Correct downward-facing nipples
- Reduce the size of the areolas
- Better clothing and wardrobe options
- Improved confidence
- Long-lasting results
Am I the right candidate for a breast lift?
The ideal candidate for breast lift surgery must be in good overall health and have realistic expectations. Patients who wish to undergo any surgery must refrain from tobacco use six weeks before and after their scheduled procedure.
Women may consider breast lift surgery if they have any of the following concerns:
- Breast ptosis (sagging)
- Nipples that point downward
- Deflated breasts
- Asymmetrical breasts
Breast lift candidates:
- Desire an elevated, higher-sitting bustline
- Desire enhanced projection of the breasts, nipples, or areola
- Desire decreased amounts of irritation from friction or chafing between the breasts and clothing
Preparing for breast lift surgery
During your consultation, Dr. Goldschmidt can discuss specific ways to prepare for breast lift surgery. Some general ways you can expect to prepare include:\
- Review family medical history, including any history of breast cancer.
- Schedule a mammogram so Dr. Goldschmidt and your primary care physician can see changes in your breast tissue and better understand future mammograms.
- Stop smoking six to eight weeks before surgery. Smoking slows the healing process and can result in complications.
- Avoid medications that can increase bleeding.
- Enlist friends or family members to help during recovery. You’ll need someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you in the first few days as you recover. You may need help with additional activities, like washing your hair or preparing meals.
- Create a cozy recovery space filled with comfy pillows and entertainment options.
What is the breast lift procedure like?
Breast lift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and can last a few hours. Dr. Goldschmidt will devise a unique breast lift plan that reflects your aesthetic goals and anatomical needs during your surgical consultation.
What breast lift techniques are used in Cleveland, Ohio?
Breast lift surgery involves removing excess skin and reshaping the remaining tissues to produce fuller, firmer, and lifted breasts. During this procedure, the nipple and areola may be repositioned or reduced if necessary. Depending on the severity of their breast ptosis, patients may choose from the following breast lift incision options:
- Periareolar (Donut)
- Two concentric incisions are created around the areolas.
- The areolas may be reduced using this technique.
- This approach is ideal for patients with mild breast ptosis.
- Lollipop
- An incision encircles the areola and extends down the lower breast tissue to the breast crease.
- The areolas may be reduced and slightly repositioned using this technique.
- This approach is ideal for patients with moderate breast ptosis.
- Anchor (Wise Pattern)
- An incision encircles the areola, continues down the lower portion of the breast, and extends along the breast crease.
- The areolas may be reduced and repositioned using this technique.
- This approach is ideal for patients with severe breast ptosis.
What is my breast lift recovery like?
Patients tend to encounter the most discomfort during the first few days of recovery, but pain can be managed with prescription medication. Patients are advised to stand and take short walks as soon as they are able. Doing this promotes circulation, which helps reduce the risk of developing blood clots; however, rigorous movement and exercise must be avoided for several weeks. Patients may resume working one week after their breast lift procedure as long as their occupation does not involve heavy lifting or strenuous activity.
What are the results of my breast lift?
Patients should see a noticeable improvement in the appearance of their breasts immediately after their breast lift. Residual swelling may obscure the final results for about one month. There is always a risk of developing scars, but any scarring that does occur will usually fade over time. Dr. Goldschmidt places all breast lift incisions in discreet locations that can be concealed by undergarments and clothing. Breast lift surgery results are considered permanent, but aging, weight fluctuations, and pregnancies that occur after your procedure can alter your final outcome.
Complications
Experiencing significant difficulties after breast lift surgery is rare. Following all aftercare instructions helps minimize the risk of potential complications. Some of the most common risks associated with breast lift surgery include:
- Blood clots
- Changes in sensation
- Bleeding or hematoma
- Infection
- Scarring
- Abnormal reaction to anesthesia
How much is breast lift surgery in Cleveland, OH?
The cost of breast lift surgery depends on various factors, including anesthesia fees, facility fees, preoperative testing, postoperative materials, and more. At your consultation, you and Dr. Goldschmidt will discuss your goals, and he can provide you with detailed price information.
Why choose Dr. Matt Goldschmidt for your breast lift in Cleveland?
Dr. Goldschmidt is a top-rated plastic surgeon who has performed thousands of surgeries of the face, breast, and body throughout his career. Many of his patients leave reviews or share excited feedback about how happy they are with their beautiful results. Dr. Goldschmidt’s kind and caring attitude and excellent bedside manner make patients feel at ease. His wonderful team are all dedicated to making each step of the patient experience comfortable and pleasant. It’s important to choose an experienced surgeon, and at The Cosmetic Surgery Center, our results and patient reviews speak for themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lift Surgery
How is my breast lift type determined?
The type of breast lift a patient receives is dependent on her specific aesthetic goals, physiological needs, and the results that a specific technique can offer. The lollipop incision technique offers favorable correction for mild to moderate sagging and adjusting nipple size or symmetry. The anchor incision method is most effective for correcting moderate to severe breast sagging and adjusting nipple size or symmetry. Incision types are also dependent on the positions of the areolas, skin elasticity, breast size and shape, and the degree of sagging.
What other aesthetic surgeries can be combined with a breast lift?
Breast lift surgery is often combined with breast augmentation or breast revision. By combining a breast lift with a breast augmentation, patients can further enjoy the benefits of a youthful bust and enhanced nipple projection, positioning, and overall shape and volume of the breasts. Breast lift surgery can also be combined with a breast implant exchange or removal to tighten sagging tissue caused by years of the implant’s additional weight.
How can I maintain my breast lift results?
Breast lift results can be maintained by adopting or continuing a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating a proper diet that is highly nutritious, detoxifying, and low in fats. Additionally, patients should include a consistent amount of aerobic and anaerobic exercise to promote healthy blood flow, burn fat, and cultivate a healthy physique. Because of a breast lift, patients typically find numerous exercises more accessible than before their operation. This is because chafing and irritation from sagging breasts are no longer a concern.
Is breastfeeding possible after a breast lift?
Breastfeeding is certainly possible after a breast lift; however, if nipple repositioning is required during a breast lift, there may be some disruption to the glandular tissue responsible for the function of a woman’s milk ducts or the surrounding nerve endings. This tends to cause women to produce less breast milk; however, it does not eliminate their ability to produce breast milk entirely. Some women may experience numbness near the incision area and nipples. Still, sensations return, and nerve damage usually fades within six months to a year. If you are considering getting a breast lift, it is recommended that you wait until you are finished with the childbearing process.
Do you lose sensation in your nipples after a breast lift?
Loss of nipple sensation following breast lift surgery is very common. However, for most patients, the numbness goes away, and the feeling returns to the nipple within two to three months after surgery. If the nerves in the nipple were cut, on the other hand, it can take six to twelve months for them to grow back and sensation to return.
Does insurance cover breast lift?
Because breast lift surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure, most health insurance plans do not cover it or its complications. However, at The Cosmetic Surgery Center, we offer financing and payment plans for patients. If you have questions about financing, give us a call or schedule a consultation, and we’d be happy to discuss your options.
For more information about Breast Lift in Cleveland, OH or to schedule your Breast Lift in Cleveland, OH consultation with Dr. Matt Goldschmidt, please call (216) 264-8100.