Breast Lift Tips

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How long does it take to recover from a breast lift surgery?

Recovering from Breast Lift Surgery

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure in which the nipple and areola are lifted, excess skin beneath the breast is removed and the remaining skin is pulled taut. This makes the breasts appear more youthful. However, patients must remember that although breast lift surgery is considered to be a relatively safe procedure, there is a substantial recovery period involved.

Following the surgeon's prescribed plan for recovery will help make the recovery process smoother and will reduce the risk of complications. Patients should listen to all post-operative instructions carefully and should take care to follow all of these instructions.

After breast lift surgery, patients may be able to get up and move about and engage in moderate activity such as walking, but they should plan on a full week of recovery time before returning to work. Most patients experience bruising, swelling and pain in the first couple of days after a breast lift surgery. However, the pain is usually not severe and can be mitigated through the use of prescription pain medications. Patients usually wear tight fitting bandages for a few days after the surgery. After the surgeon removes the bandages, the patient will be required to wear a soft support bra for three to four weeks. Stitches will be removed within one to two weeks after the breast lift surgery, but patients are advised to avoid activities such as lifting objects over the head for three to four weeks. For most patients, the swelling associated with the breast lift surgery is minimal after a few weeks, but for some patients this swelling might persist for six months. Patients who have prolonged swelling should avoid evaluating the results of the procedure until the swelling is eliminated.

   
Should I ask to see before and after photos when selecting a breast lift surgeon?

Using Breast Lift Before and After Photos to Select a Surgeon

The process of selecting a surgeon to perform a breast lift procedure is very important because the surgeon can have a significant impact on the success of your surgery. There are a number of factors to consider when selecting a breast lift surgeon. Look for a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, who offers references demonstrating past patient satisfaction, who answers questions during the initial consultation truthfully and accurately and who can provide breast lift before and after photos which demonstrate the surgeon's skill level. This is very important because for many patients, these photos are the most important indicator of the quality of the surgeon's work.

Some patients may be hesitant to ask the surgeon to provide breast lift before and after photos, but this should not be the case. The patient should not only ask to see breast lift before and after photos, but should also ask to see photos of patients who had a similar body type and a similar need for a breast lift. In examining these photos, the patient will be able to determine whether the surgeon is capable of producing the results the patient desires.

   
What can I expect during a breast lift procedure?

What to Expect During a Breast Lift Procedure

Patients undergoing a breast lift procedure should expect one or more initial breast lift consultations with the surgeon prior to the procedure. Additionally, the procedure itself will involve a preparation phase, the anesthesia phase and the surgical phase. There will also be a recovery period, which will include a number of post-operative visits for the surgeon to evaluate the recovery progress.

The day of the breast lift procedure will be divided into three phases including preparation, anesthesia and surgery. During the preparation phase, the patient will be marked for potential incision sites and will be scrubbed with an antimicrobial agent to reduce the risk of infection at the incision sites. The surgeon will discuss the proposed incision location with the patient during the initial consultation. Likely incision locations for a breast lift include above the areola, around the areola or, in extreme cases, from the base of the areola to where the breast meets the ribcage.

During the anesthesia phase of the procedure, the patient is given a chemical substance to either numb the procedure area or put the patient to sleep. Anesthesia may be administered either orally or intravenously. Local anesthesia involves numbing the procedure area only, while general anesthesia entails putting the patient to sleep for the duration of the procedure. The patient and surgeon should discuss the options beforehand, but most breast lifts are performed under general anesthesia.

The surgical phase of a breast lift will depend on the extent of the work to be completed and the type of procedure to be performed. However, the general process for a breast lift include making the incision, removing excess skin and suturing the remaining skin to reduce sag and create a more youthful appearance.

Finally, breast lift surgery patients should understand there will be a recovery period following the surgery. It will likely involve wearing compressive bandages for a few days and refraining from some activities for three to four weeks. Most patients are well enough to return to work after approximately one week, but may have swelling which persists for up to six months.

During the initial breast lift consultation with the surgeon, the patient can learn more about the procedure and can discuss the expectations for the surgery. The breast lift consultation is a great time to examine before-and-after photos and ask questions about the procedure, as well as the potential for complications.

   
What are the concerns associated with a breast lift surgery?

Breast Lift Surgery Concerns

Patients who are considering breast lift surgery should be aware that there are inherent risks associated with a breast lift procedure just as there are with any surgical procedure, especially one involving anesthesia. Some of the concerns associated with breast lift surgery may include a reaction to the anesthesia, loss of sensitivity, scarring, bleeding, infection or fat or tissue necrosis.

Although a breast lift is a relatively safe procedure when performed by a qualified surgeon, there are some valid concerns patients may have regarding this procedure. Some of the medical concerns associated with breast lift surgery include a negative reaction to anesthesia, post-operative bleeding, infection and fat or tissue necrosis. Patients who experience symptoms such as sudden rashes, difficulty breathing, increased or decreased heart rate, hives, wheezing, anxiety, fainting, dizziness, nausea or vomiting should report these symptoms immediately, as they may signify an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Blood which does not circulate properly may also be a cause for concern and may cause conditions such as hematoma, seroma and thrombosis. Patients who are considering breast lift surgery may also be concerned about fat or tissue necrosis. This condition is rare, but results in the death of fat or tissue in the breasts.

Other concerns for breast lift procedure patients may include general dissatisfaction with the results, loss of sensitivity or excessive scarring. Patients may be dissatisfied with the results of the procedure for a number of reasons including asymmetry, improper positioning of the nipple and areola or dissatisfaction with the shape of the breasts. This concern can be minimized by discussing the expectations with the surgeon beforehand and being frank about the desired results. Patients who undergo a breast lift procedure may have a temporary loss of sensitivity in the nipples, but for some patients this loss of sensation may become permanent. Finally, breast lift procedure patients may be concerned about the amount or placement of scars. Asking to see photos of previous surgeries and discussing incision placement prior to the procedure will help to prepare the patient for the location and amount of scarring. Additionally, the patient can help to minimize the resulting scars by following all post-operative instructions carefully.

   
When is it a good idea to have a breast lift?

When a Breast Lift is Warranted

A breast lift procedure, or mastopexy, is particularly popular with patients between the ages of 35 and 50. This is according to the statistical data for 2005 compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons which indicates 50 percent of all breast lift patients fell into this age group. Patients in this age bracket may suffer from a loss of elasticity in the skin, which makes the breasts begin to sag. When this happens, the patient may opt for a breast lift procedure to create a more youthful appearance.

A breast lift is a surgical procedure which involves relocating the nipples and areolas to a higher location, removing excess skin beneath the breasts and pulling the remaining skin tautly to create a more lively appearance. Most patients who opt for this procedure feel as though the sagging in their breasts is unattractive and makes them appear older. As a result they opt for a breast lift to boost their self esteem.

As we age, our skin loses its elasticity creating sagging skin and this is one reason women get breast lifts. There are other factors, too. Patients who lose a great deal of weight within a short period of time may find their skin does not bounce back quickly and may require a breast lift to create a desired appearance. Additionally, patients who have a breast reduction or who have implants removed may also wish to undergo a breast lift procedure to reduce sagging and excess skin.

   
Is it possible to combine a breast lift and a breast augmentation procedure?

Combining Breast Lift and Augmentation Procedures

A breast augmentation involves using implants filled with either saline or silicone and possibly reshaping the existing breast tissue to create breasts that are fuller and more appealing. A breast lift involves raising the nipples and areolas, removing excess skin and pulling the remaining skin taut to create a more youthful appearance. While these procedures are completely separate and can certainly be performed independently, it is logical to perform them together if the patient is looking for both procedures to be done.

Breast lift and augmentation procedures can be combined and performed at the same time. Combining these two related procedures will increase the total time required for the procedure, but it will also prevent the patient from being anesthetized twice and from having to recover from each procedure separately.

   
How much does a breast lift cost?

The Full Cost of Breast Lift Surgery

Patients who are considering having a breast lift procedure are likely concerned about the cost of breast lift surgery. This is a very common concern, but unfortunately there is no simple answer. In general the cost of a breast lift will range from $3,500 to $6,000, but patients may find the same procedure offered for a considerably higher or lower price.

Patients should also consider other costs associated with the full cost of a breast lift procedure. This includes consultations with the surgeon prior to the surgery, post-operative checkups and costs associated with missing work during the recovery period. Some surgeons may include the cost of consultations and post-operative visits in the fee schedule they quote you, while others may charge separately for these services. For this reason, patients should fully understand what is included and excluded from the price estimate before making a decision to undergo a breast lift procedure.

The full cost of breast lift surgery is usually divided into three categories including the anesthesia fee, the hospital fees and the surgeon's fees. The fees associated with these categories may vary according to different factors including the location, the availability of the hospital, the type of anesthesia used and the experience and skill level of the surgeon. Other factors might also be age of the patient and the amount of surgery required. However, patients who are considering the procedure are advised not to use cost of breast lift surgery as the driving factor when selecting a surgeon for the procedure. This is important because the skill and experience of the surgeon are far more important than the cost of the procedure.

   
What is a breast lift procedure?

Understanding a Breast Lift Procedure

A breast lift procedure, or a mastopexy, is often confused with a breast augmentation surgery. While a breast augmentation is performed to improve the size and the shape of the breasts, a breast lift is performed to lift and reshape breasts that are sagging. Itdoes not change the size of the breasts. During this procedure, the nipple and areola are relocated to the desired location and excess skin is removed and pulled taut to create a more appealing appearance. The overall appearance of the breasts will likely be improved, but the size will remain the same.

   
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