BREAST LIFT

A DISTINCTIVELY DIFFERENT PRACTICE

EXPERIENCE EXTRAORDINARY

What is a Breast Lift?

A woman’s breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes, including loss of skin elasticity, can result from pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, aging, gravity, and heredity. Many women desire the full appearance of their breasts that were present prior to breastfeeding, weight loss, menopause, etc.

Breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises the position of the breast mound on the chest wall by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Sometimes the areola is inherently large or has become large over time. During a breast lift, the areola will be reduced to the appropriate size while the breast is lifted and reshaped.

A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted. Women who would benefit from breast lift surgery often describe their breasts as flat, elongated, or pendulous, with stretched out skin, enlarged areolas, and nipples that face downward. Sometimes one breast is lower than the other. You are a good candidate for breast lift surgery if you have some of these physical characteristics and are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag or have lost shape and volume.

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About the Procedure:

Breast lift involves making incisions on the breast skin to remove the excess skin. The incision pattern used to lift your breasts will be determined by your breast size, shape, and composition. Additionally, Dr. Hewell and Dr. Fischer will assess the degree of breast sagging, your skin quality and elasticity, and the size and position of your areolas.

The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible and will be long-lasting. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover from surgery.

It is important to remember that breasts are dynamic and can change with fluctuations in weight, pregnancy, menopause, and with aging. Breast lift surgery can be performed at any age but is best performed after child bearing/breastfeeding is completed. Changes that occur in the breasts during pregnancy can minimize or reverse the improvement a breast lift provides. Likewise, significant weight loss after breast lift can cause recurrent sagging of the breasts. Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle will help with the longevity of your breast lift surgery.

FAQ’s

Can breast lift surgery be safely performed in an office-based surgical facility?

Breast lift surgery can be safely performed in an accredited office-based surgical facility. Dr. Hewell and Dr. Fischer’s office ambulatory surgical facility is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). Established in 1980, AAAASF holds outpatient and office-based facilities to hospital standards and assures the public that patient safety is the top priority in a facility.

What anesthesia options are available for breast lift surgery?

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Anesthesia choices for breast lift surgery include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Dr. Hewell and Dr. Fischer will recommend which anesthesia option is best for you.

Where will my incisions be located?

Incisions are either a keyhole (also called racquet-shaped) pattern, an inverted T (also called anchor-shaped) pattern, or a circle around the areola. Both the keyhole and inverted T types of incision patterns have an incision around the circumference of the areola, and down the vertical aspect of the breast. The inverted T or anchor-shaped pattern incision also has an incision in the breast crease, also called the inframammary fold. Dr. Hewell and Dr. Fischer will discuss with you which incision pattern will give you the best result possible.

A keyhole or racquet-shaped incision pattern

An inverted T or anchor-shaped incision pattern

Around the areola (circumareolar) incision pattern

Is my nipple and/or areola removed during the surgery?

Dr. Hewell and Dr. Fischer preserve the nipple and areola on a bed of healthy breast tissue to preserve its blood supply during a breast lift. The nipple and areola are then repositioned to a more favorable position on the breast.

Can the size of my areola be reduced during breast lift surgery?

Yes, the size of your areola can be reduced during breast lift surgery if it is too large.

When do I return for follow-up care?

Dr. Hewell and Dr. Fischer see all of their breast lift patients the day after surgery. The Doctors and their exceptional team will take care of all dressings at this visit.

Can breast lift surgery be performed if I have had a breast augmentation in the past?

Yes, breast lift surgery can be performed if you have existing breast implants. There is also the option to change the size of your breast implants during the breast lift surgery, or remove your breast implants altogether. Dr. Hewell and Dr. Fischer will discuss your size and shape ideals with you and help you choose which procedure is best for you.

Can breast implants be placed at the time of breast lift surgery?

Yes, breast implant placement, or breast augmentation, can be performed at the same time as breast lift surgery. Some women chose to do this to enhance fullness of the upper breast. Dr. Hewell and Dr. Fischer have extensive experience in performing this combination procedure.

Are there any test results that I should bring to my consultation?

You should bring your most recent mammogram report to your consultation. Additionally, you should bring any information about previous breast biopsies if you have had a breast biopsy.

Can you show me how my breasts might look after breast lift surgery?

Dr. Hewell and Dr. Fischer’s office is equipped with Vectra® 3D imaging. This state-of-the-art technology will help you visualize what your breast may look like after breast lift surgery.