About Breast Lift/Mastopexy Surgery
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.
Anyone, at any age, can have drooping or sagging breasts. This occurs because breasts are only composed of fat, glands, and connective tissue. No supportive muscles in the actual breast itself exist. Ligaments called Cooper’s ligaments, which act as “nature’s bra”, connect the muscles under the breasts. Cooper’s ligaments and the skin are the only support for the breast. This is why gravity pulls the breasts down, stretching out the skin and Cooper’s ligaments, causing the breasts to droop. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, aging, and heredity can increase the rate and severity of sagging breasts.
Since a breast lift does not change the shape or fullness of the breasts, many of our patients choose to combine a breast lift with a breast augmentation to increase the size of their breasts at the same time for optimal results. The nipple and areola (the darker skin around the nipple) can also be repositioned or resized during a breast lift procedure to further enhance the appearance of the breast.
When you consider a breast lift, the first step is to contact our office and let us schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Chernoff. It is important that you attend this visit prepared to discuss what you want in regard to breast size and nipple position. Dr. Chernoff will examine your breasts to assess the tone of your skin, areolar size, and quality of your breast tissue. If it is determined that you are a candidate for a breast lift procedure, further details will be explained and your medical eligibility will be thoroughly evaluated.
Breast Lift Procedure
A breast lift can take from 2-3 hours to complete and it is typically performed on an outpatient basis under anesthesia. There are different types of breast lift surgeries and the main criteria for selecting the correct approach is the degree of lifting desired, the looseness of your skin, and the amount of breast tissue (glandular and fatty tissue) inside your breast skin.
You will likely experience bruising, swelling, and soreness for a few days. You will be required to wear a surgical bra for one week, and then you will wear a support bra for one month. Consistently rated #1 plastic surgery center by our patients.
