Breast Lift: Mastoplexy

Description
The Surgical Procedure
What to Expect After Surgery
Resuming Physical Activities
Before/After Breast Lift Photos

Description

Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, nursing and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman's breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag.

Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts-at least, for a time. (No surgery can permanently delay the effects of gravity.) Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume - for example, after pregnancy- breast implants inserted in conjunction with mastopexy can increase both firmness and breast size. The package price for surgery includes the surgeon’s fee, the operating room costs, the anesthesiologist’s fee and the cost of implants if they are used. A general range is $5000 to $10,000, if augmentation with implants is to be performed simultaneously.

Mastopexy can be combined with an increase in breast size (augmentation-mastopexy) or a reduction in breast size. The operation involves rearranging the breast tissue, shifting the nipple position and increasing the breast firmness by tightening the skin. Modern innovations in breast lift techniques include limited incision techniques and nipple sensation sparing techniques. Asymmetry of the breast can be improved as well.

The Surgical Procedure

The operation takes between two and three hours. It is usually performed under general anesthesia. There are several different ways to perform this surgery depending on how much excess skin needs to be removed.

The surgical procedure will be discussed in detail at the initial consultation.

The exact cost varies depending on the extent of the procedure. The surgery package price includes the surgeon's fee, the anesthesiologist's fee and the hospital and operating room expenses. The surgery can range from $5,000 to $10,000.

What to Expect After Breast Lift Surgery

Pain is rarely strong, more commonly patients feel a degree of discomfort. Swelling occurs, but usually begins to subside by the third or fourth day. Some degree of swelling may persist for longer periods. A well-fitted bra is worn day and night for three weeks. While there is seldom interference with future breast-feeding, women are cautioned that it may not be possible to breast-feed after a breast lift or reduction.