Mastopexy Breast Lift
Whether asymmetrical or disproportionately small breasts, or mastectomies following breast cancer, reasons for women to choose breast implants vary. The most common motivations for breast augmentation, however, are loss of fullness or sagging of the breasts, which are often caused by weight loss, childbirth or aging. During surgery, an implant is inserted behind each breast, increasing size and fullness and improving the shape and contour of the breasts.
BEFORE & AFTER
TIME FRAME
About 1 hour
ANESTHETIC METHOD
General Anesthesia
STITCH REMOVAL
None
OVER NIGHT STAY
No
BACK TO WORK
3 - 7 days low physical demand jobs. More physical jobs 2-3 weeks.
BACK TO FITNESS
4 - 6 weeks. 3 months for pectoral-focused exercises like pushups.
PRICE: CUSTOM APPROACH
Schedule a consultation to get your exact cost for breast augmentation.
What is a Mastopexy Breast Lift
What is a Mastopexy Breast LiftBreast implant surgery is a procedure to enhance breast shape and size. The procedure involves inserting an implant, which is usually filled with silicone or saline, into a pocket behind your breast muscle or the breast tissue.
Before the operation you will be administered anesthesia. In order to insert the implant, an incision is made. There are multiple incision options to minimize scarring and visibility. To close the incisions, sutures, skin adhesive and surgical tape are used. Over time, the incision lines will fade, especially if you make sure to follow your surgeon’s recovery instructions.
If you’re considering a breast augmentation procedure, we recommend scheduling a consultation with your plastic surgeon. It is important that you are aware of all the options, steps and risks involved.
Custom options for Mastopexy Breast Lift
Types of breast implants:
There are two options for the type of breast implant, saline or silicone. Saline implants are filled with a saltwater solution and are inserted into the breast empty. This allows for smaller incisions and the implant is filled during surgery. The FDA approves Saline implants for women aged 18 or older. Saline implants are less expensive than silicone implants and make it easier to detect implant leaks or ruptures. However, they are also more likely to show rippling and wrinkles and visible implant edges.
Silicone implants, on the other hand, are FDA approved for women 22 and older and are filled with silicone gel. Though they require a slightly longer incision and are more expensive than saline implants, they look and feel more like real breast tissue. Implant ruptures are harder to detect with silicone implants, but they are less likely to show wrinkles and ripples.
Breast Implant shape:
When choosing the shape of your implants, the most important aspect to consider is your body type and making sure the implant shape fits the size and shape of the rest of your body. These days you are restricted to only round implants.
Round implants are the most common shape of implants and come in four types, ranging from low to high projection. They make the top of the breast appear more full. If the reason for your breast augmentation is the correction of sagging or the desire to have fuller breasts, round implants might be the better option.
There used to be Teardrop shaped implants with a textured feel, but they have become known for causing a rare form of lymphoma, ALCL. They have since been banned from use.
Breast implant placement:
The two options for breast implant placement are submuscular placement, inside a pocket under the chest muscle, or submammary or subglandular placement, directly behind the breast tissue, over the chest muscle. Dr. Bray most often uses a “dual-plane” position, where the implant is partially below the muscle and the remainder below the breast tissue.
Breast implant incision location:
Dr. Bray almost always uses an inframammary incision located at the bottom of the breast. The incision is a great place for hiding the scar, and it tends to heal very well. The location of the cut will always be discussed during your consultation.
Incisions are usually made along the areolar edge (around your nipples), the fold under the breast or in the armpit. Generally, the aim is to make the incisions in inconspicuous areas to minimize visibility and scarring. Your plastic surgeon will help you determine the appropriate incision location depending on your anatomy and desired outcome.
Preparing for Mastopexy Breast Lift
Medical conditions, such as heart disease, hypertension, thyroid problems, diabetes or the regular use of certain medications might affect your surgery. If any of this applies to you, you should consult with a physician in our office first.
No smoking of any sort of nicotine, vape or marijuana products for approximately two to four weeks before your procedure. Continuing to do so might adversely affect your surgical outcome. We also advise not consuming alcohol at least a week prior to surgery.
Follow your physician’s instructions concerning diet, hygiene and medications. Before any kind of surgery, your stomach should be empty, which is why you should not eat or drink after midnight the day before the procedure.
Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes to allow easier change of clothes before and after surgery. Please arrive without any jewelry, makeup and nail polish on the day of the procedure. If you wear contact lenses, please switch them out for glasses.
Plan enough time for your recovery. Taking a few days off from work will be essential. Patients usually require between 3 and 7 recovery days.
Ask someone to drive you to your appointment and pick you up after surgery. By law, you cannot drive after your surgical operations, and you will need a ride, an uber, or a taxi to get home.
COVID-19 testing
In line with COVID-19 regulations, we have reassessed our cleaning and sterilization protocols. Upon arrival in our office we conduct symptom screenings with a questionnaire and check our patients’ temperature. We also require mask wearing for our staff and patients. COVID-19 testing before surgical procedures is mandatory in order to protect our staff. Please inform yourself regarding testing centers in your area and arrange for testing prior to your surgery.
Blood work
We require a number of lab tests, diagnostic tests and medical evaluations leading up to your surgery. The nature of these tests will vary according to the procedure, your age, health, history, and other key health factors. Make sure to run all the necessary blood work and receive clearance before any surgical procedure. Necessary testing may change based on procedure, age, health, history and other factors.
Two weeks before surgery
It’s of utmost importance to follow all of your surgeon’s instructions regarding diet, supplements and medications. Stop drinking alcohol and smoking of any kind. Avoid exposure to sick people and quit taking blood thinning medications, such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen and a number of supplements. Post-surgery preparations should be made, such as arranging transportation, getting time off from work, stocking up on food and anything else you will need post-surgery and making sure someone will stay with you during the first two days after the procedure.
Day before surgery
Figure out what you are going to wear, follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding pre-surgery fasting and any other preparation measures. Go to bed early and get well rested before your big day. We also recommend getting your house in order and buying ice packs to help with swelling after the surgery.
What to expect and aftercare for Mastopexy Breast Lift
- After surgery your incision will be covered with a protective medical strip called Steri Strips. On top of the strips we place a light adhesive, and cover that with a surgical compression bra. All of this is to help minimize swelling and support healing. After that, you will be taken into a recovery room to be monitored until you are stable enough for discharge.
- Your plastic surgeon will give you specific post-surgery instructions. Please follow these instructions as detailed as possible. You will receive a follow-up appointment and medications such as pain pills or antibiotics to prevent infection.
- It is important to wear your support bra around the clock and according to your surgeon’s instructions.
- Typically, acute pain subsides after the first few days, however, soreness and swelling are to be expected for the next 4 to 6 weeks.
- Numbness and sensitivity around the breast and nipple area might occur for a period of time after surgery.
- Patients typically require 3 to 7 days of post-operative recovery, which is why it is important to take enough time off from work and make arrangements accordingly.
- Do not shower or expose your bandages to water for the first 48 hours after your surgery and avoid baths, hot tubs and swimming pools for the next 6 weeks.
- Consult your surgeon about the use of any deodorant, cream or lotion near your incisions.
- You should avoid any activities that tighten your chest muscles and not lift objects heavier than 5 pounds for the next 4 to 6 weeks. After that time period you should be able to resume regular exercising.
- It may take up to one year for your scars to fully heal. Avoid sun exposure to your incisions and follow your surgeon’s instructions. If you’re experiencing any signs of infection, such as an increase in swelling, redness or warmth or develop a fever, you should contact the office.
About potential complications with a Mastopexy Breast Lift
Before your breast augmentation surgery you will be asked to sign a consent form ensuring that you fully understand how the procedure works and which potential risks and complications are involved. Other risks include those connected to any kind of anesthesia, post-surgery bleeding, changes in nipple or breast sensation, formation of scar tissue in the area surrounding the implant, accumulation of fluid, hematoma formation, leaking or rupturing of the implant, infections, long term pain, bad scarring, skin wrinkling and in some cases there might be the necessity of a revision surgery.
Keep in mind that longevity can be an issue sometimes. Overtime, the likelihood of needing a revision, removal, or replacement increases. A puncture or leakage isn’t a health risk, but it could require removal or replacement of the implant.
RECOMMENDED SURGERIES WITH MASTOPEXY BREAST LIFT
FAQ
Is breastfeeding possible with implants?
Yes, breastfeeding is usually still possible, even after a breast augmentation. It has also proven to be safe for the baby, as well as the mother. Make sure to discuss any breastfeeding plans with your surgeon, as breast surgery of any type can potentially reduce the chances for successful breastfeeding.
Will there be a lot of scarring after a breast augmentation?
Swelling, bruising and scarring are to be expected during the first few weeks and months after surgery. The scars, however, should mature and become pale and flat and less noticeable over the next 6 to 12 months.
Can I get implants and breast lifting at the same time?
Yes, you can get multiple procedures done during one surgery. Depending on the outcome you would like to achieve, your surgeon might recommend inserting an implant and getting a breast lift at the same time.
Will my breast implants affect my physical functioning?
It is unlikely that implants will change your physical functioning long term. Once everything is properly healed you should be able to resume any prior physical activities.
Will I need additional surgeries after the breast implant procedure?
In some cases patients may request additional follow-up surgeries, such as breast lifts, to achieve the optimal result. In case of complications, such as implant rupture, additional surgical procedures might be necessary. It is important to remember that augmented breasts age like any other body part and some women might choose to correct age related effects later on in life.
Is it advisable to wait until after I have children to get surgery?
Whether implants or not, pregnancy always changes the size and shape of your breasts. In general, it is recommended to postpone pregnancy until six months after the breast augmentation.
Is there a chance that breast augmentation will increase my risk of breast cancer?
It has been scientifically proven that implants do not increase the risk of getting breast cancer. Moreover, multiple studies have shown that implants do not delay the detection of breast cancer and that patients who do get breast cancer have the same chance of being free of cancer or of the cancer returning, as women without implants.
Can my breast grow back after a breast reduction?
Usually, breast size reduction is permanent. However, there are rare cases when tissue can grow back due to breastfeeding, medications, pregnancy, weight gain or hormonal changes.
Will I need my stitches removed?
The sutures are all below the skin surface and dissolve through the healing process, meaning you will not need any sutures removed in the future.
When can I get back to work after surgery?
Patients can usually return to work after about 3 to 7 days with low physical demands, like office-type environments. More physical jobs, or those that involve lifting, climbing, or heavy physical activity will require longer, potentially 2-3 weeks.
How long before I can exercise after my surgery?
After about 4 to 6 weeks you should be able to resume most physical exercises. Activities that center on the pectoral muscles, like push-ups and bench presses, should be avoided for at least 3 months.
*INDIVIDUAL RESULTS MAY VARY
Contact Dr.Bray
Schedule a private consultation with Dr. Bray by submitting the form below or calling his offices directly at 416-323-1330.
