You have probably thought about having breast lift surgery for some time. You've noticed when you look at your breasts that they are not as full as they used to be. You probably also wish you could look better in clothing and in a swimsuit. Breastfeeding, weight changes, and aging all can cause the breasts to droop and sag. Breast lift surgery in Albany at The Plastic Surgery Group can help restore your breasts to a fuller, more youthful appearance.
Cosmetic surgery should be a rewarding experience that leaves you looking great and feeling more confident. Request a free consultation with one of the surgeons at The Plastic Surgery Group or call (518) 438-0505.
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At The Plastic Surgery Group in Albany, breast lift surgery (mastopexy) can help you have fuller, perkier, shapelier breasts once again. In most cases, women who have smaller breasts realize longer lasting results from breast lift surgery because their breasts weigh less, but breasts of all sizes can be successfully lifted. Some women with smaller breasts and relatively little breast sagging may be able to undergo a less-invasive procedure like a doughnut mastopexy. Some women choose breast augmentation in addition to, or instead of, a breast lift to attain their desired fullness.
In most cases, breast lift surgery takes 1-3 hours. There are several surgical techniques for breast lift surgery, but the most commonly used involves an incision around the natural shape of the breast defining the area of excess breast skin that will be removed. After the removal of the excess breast skin, repositioning of the areola to a higher spot on the breast occurs, followed by the skin being positioned around the areola and creation of the new breast shape. Stitches will be placed following the shape of the incision around the areola, down from the nipple, and sometimes below the breasts.
Women with only slight breast sagging and particularly small breasts can often undergo a doughnut (concentric) breast lift. This technique involves circular incisions around the areola and a piece of skin in the shape of a doughnut is removed. The breast skin that was around the nipple is then repositioned and brought together to form the newly shaped breast. In the cases of an implant insertion during breast lift surgery, the implant will be inserted either directly below the breast tissue or beneath the muscle of the chest wall. Your plastic surgeon will discuss these options during your consultation.
After your breast lift surgery, you will most likely experience some bruising and swelling, but it shouldn't be extremely uncomfortable. Your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain-relieving medication in case you need it.
The first few days following your surgery you will wear a surgical bra over the bandages on your breasts. Stitches will come out in 1 to 2 weeks following your breast lift surgery. You might notice some loss of sensation in your nipples and the skin of your breasts. This is usually caused by the swelling following the surgery and, in most cases, disappears over 5 to 6 weeks. In some cases, however, loss of sensation may last several months or a year, and in rare instances can be permanent.
You should plan not to return to work for roughly a week following your surgery depending on your job requirements. You should also be careful not to do any lifting above your head or participate in sports for about a month. Your plastic surgeon will give you detailed instructions to follow before and after surgery. It is important to the recovery process to follow these instructions closely.
After breast lift surgery, some patients might experience minor complications. These conditions are very rare and your plastic surgeon will give you detailed instructions to follow to help avoid these.
Scars are inevitable with breast lift surgery, although your plastic surgeon will make every effort to conceal the scars as much as possible. These scars will fade over time, but they will be permanent. It is very important to follow your plastic surgeon's directions both before and after your breast lift surgery to promote optimum scar healing.
If you are considering getting pregnant, you may not want to have your breast lift surgery until after giving birth because your breasts are apt to sag and stretch again negating the positive outcome of your breast lift surgery.
In most cases breast lift surgery is conducted on an outpatient basis in a hospital or a surgery center. In the rare instance of hospital admission, your stay will be limited to a day or 2.
In most cases, breast lift surgery is conducted using general anesthesia so you will be completely asleep through the surgery. Sometimes, the plastic surgeon will use a local aesthesia and sedatives to cause drowsiness if smaller incisions are going to be made. Discuss this with your plastic surgeon during your consultation.
Breast lift surgery doesn't usually stop a woman from breastfeeding. But, if you are considering getting pregnant, it is recommended that you have your breast lift surgery after you give birth so as not to negate the positive outcome of the surgery.
