Breast Lift: An Overview

FACT: Factors such as aging, effects of gravity, childbirth and weight loss can lead to a loss of tone and volume of a woman’s breasts causing it to sag and droop. Besides visibly unattractive, sagging and drooping breasts also post health risks such as shoulder and back pain.

THE SOLUTION: Breast lift (Mastopexy)

THE GOAL: Corrects droopy, sagging breasts resulting in an uplifted and aesthetically pleasing breast shape and improved upper body.

The surgery:

Dr. Alonzo applies the traditional technique, which involves an incision along the crease underneath the breast, incisions around the areola and a vertical incision between the areola and the base of the breast. In this approach, the excess skin is removed, the breasts are elevated on the chest wall, and the nipples and areola are reposition, allowing maximum change to the patient’s breasts.

Breast lift is performed in the operating room of the hospital with 1 day 1 night stay under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. The procedure usually takes one to three hours or more to complete.

After the breast reduction surgery, you will have bandages, which will be removed after a week. Stitches will be removed 7 to 10 days. You will experience tenderness; swelling and some minor pain and discomfort for a few days, but these can be relieved by the medications prescribed by Dr. Alonzo.

Breast Lift Post surgery and recovery:

You can go back to work 4 to 7 days following your breast reduction surgery. Some patients report that they go back to work or school 3 days following their surgery. While recuperating at home, you will be advised to wear a therapeutic bra which you will wear for a few weeks until the marks, bruising, and swelling are gone. Strenuous activities like exercise and sports can be resumed after 1 month to 6 weeks. Dr. Alonzo will also advise you to avoid engaging in sexual activities as your breasts are stuffed with hormones, to avoid prolong swelling. Final result can be seen after a month. However, it may take six months to 1 year for your body to completely adjust to your new breast shape.

Surgery Risks: Risks associated with breast lift may include scarring, asymmetry, altered nipple sensation, delayed wound healing, fluid retention in the breast, difficulty in breast-feeding, but if you will follow your surgeon’s instructions, those risks can be limited.

Be sure to discuss all your concerns about the surgery with Dr. Alonzo during your initial consultation, and follow all his instructions from your pre-surgery to post surgery care, for a speedy and healthy recovery.  

To achieve optimal results, breast lift may be done alone or in combination with breast augmentation or nipple and/or areola reduction.

Note:
Pre- operative laboratory works are required for this procedure. Laboratory test needed includes: Clotting time bleeding time, Chest X-ray, CBC w/ platelet count, FBS and ECG. Medical clearance from cardiologist is also required.

F.A.Q.

See Before and After Pictures