Breast Lift
Are you thinking of a breast lift surgery ?
As the years go by, women´s breast can become saggy because of pregnancies, breast-feeding and simple gravity. When the elasticity of the skin diminishes the shape of the breasts changes, they are less firm and begin to sag. Breast lift or mastopexy is a surgery that lifts the breasts and gives them a new shape. With this surgery it is also possible to reduce the dark area (areola) around the nipples. For women with small or saggy breasts, for example after pregnancy, it is possibly to add a silicon pad during the breast lift surgery to give them a better filling and make them firmer.
Is breast lift the right solution for you?
A breast lift is suitable for women who are healthy, emotionally stable and have realistic expectations regarding the surgery. Many women are seeking for a breast lift because pregnancies and breast feeding have worn the breasts and have begun to sag. You should wait with the surgery if you plan to have more children. The surgery does not involve any special risk involved regarding breast feeding but a new pregnancy can stretch your breasts again and reduce the effects of the operation.
Risks regarding breast lift
A breast lift is not a simple operation but it is very safe in the hands of an experienced surgeon. Still, there are always a few risks involved regarding all surgeries, for example in connection with the general anaesthetic. Bleeding or infection after a breast lift in incredibly rare. A breast lift is always accompanied with a scar but they cannot be seen when wearing a bra or bathing suit. The surgery sometimes reduces sensation in the nipples and the breasts.
To decide for an operation
Discuss your expectation with the doctor. Every patient (and every doctor) has different opinions on what size for breasts is desirable. The doctor examines your breasts while you are standing upright. He discusses the effect of the operation, for example your age, the size and the shape of your breasts, the condition of your skin and whether it is advisable to add silicon pads in your breasts. You will discuss where the nipple will be placed as it will be moved higher up on the breast and should be situated approximately where the dewlap is under the breast. The doctor describes the whole procedure and makes sure that you realize what it involves and the scars it leaves behind. Also, during the first visit to the doctor describes the anesthetic method he prefers to us, where it takes place and how much it costs. Top of page
Preparation for the surgery
If your age or your family history gives the doctor a reason he will advise you to have a mammogram before the operation. He prepares you for the surgery, regarding food and drink, smoking and medicine. It usually applies to fasten from midnight before a breast implant augmentation. If you catch a cold or some kind of an infection the operation needs to be postponed. Make sure that somebody will pick you up at the clinic and can assist you for about one to two days after the operation. Top of page.
The operating room, anesthesia and the operation
Before the operation an anaesthetist you will give you an intravenous sedative and then you are anaesthetized. A breast lift usually takes about two to three hours. Usually, the incisions are made around the brown area around the nipple, then in a straight line toward the dewlap under the breasts. If silicon pads are placed in the breasts during the breast lift they would be placed under the breast tissue. The doctor prescribes pain killers and possibly antibiotics to prevent infection before you leave the clinic. Top of page
After the surgery
You need to wear bandages, straps or a special bra after the surgery over the bandages. The breasts will be bruised, swollen and tender for one or two days but you shouldn´t feel much pain. After a few days, the bandages are replaced for a soft support or a sport bra. You need to wear it night and day over the bandages for about three to four weeks. The stitches will disintegrate. If you feel that the skin of your breasts is very dry you use a hydrating cream every now and then. Be careful not to pull the skin or touch the incisions.
It is likely that you will have less sensation in the nipples and breasts after the operation because of the swelling. This numbness usually disappears in the next weeks while the swelling is reduced but it can last for over a year and in a few cases the numbness is permanent. It is recommended to apply a healing salve regularly. The doctor will recommend a good brand. Top of page
Full recovery
You need to be patient when it comes to full recovery. You should take it easy the first days after the surgery and stay away from work in a week or longer, depending on how you feel. Do not lift anything heavy for about three to four weeks. If you feel anything that you suspect to be abnormal, you should contact the doctor immediately.
The doctor will give you specific instruction on when you should start moving about and exercising and how. It is advisable to avoid sex for at least a week and strenuous work-out for about a month. Then start slowly. If you get pregnant, the operation should not affect breast feed, as milk mammary glands and nipples are intact. Top of page
The new look
The doctor makes sure that the scars are as little visible as possible. Still, you need to keep in mind that a breast lift surgery leaves scars behind that are visible for the rest of your life. They may seem uneven and red for months but they will get paler in time and eventually turn into white thin lines. The scars are situated so that a bra hides them and you can wear low necked tops and dresses. Keep in mind that a breast lift doesn´t make the breast firm forever; the effects of aging, pregnancies and swelling will take its toll. Women who have silicon pads with their breast lift can expect the effects of the operation to last longer.
Your satisfaction with the breast lift surgery will be more when you fully understand what it is about and if you have realistic expectations