Breast Lift in Charlotte - Mastopexy in Gastonia

Mastopexy-Breast Lift

Women commonly experience changes in the shape, consistency, and firmness of their breasts over time. There are a number of factors that may lead to these changes:

• Childbirth
• Breastfeeding
• Weight gain or loss
• Normal aging
• Gravity
• Genetics
• Breast size

There are a number of different operations that have been developed to improve the shape and size of sagging or “ptotic” breasts. The procedure known as mastopexy or ‘breast lift’ is designed to reposition your breast tissue and nipple to a higher position on your chest with a better, more appealing shape. Breast implants are often used along with mastopexy to help improve the shape and size of the breast. The goal is to help restore the breast appearance back toward that of your pre-pregnancy, youthful breast contour. The mastopexy will also address the tissue surrounding the nipple, or areola, which oftentimes becomes stretched due to the same effects.

Limitations

The mastopexy specifically addresses the sagging, drooping breast shape most associated with age and post-childbirth. The procedure is very effective, but it will not dramatically alter the size of your breasts or make them fuller and rounder at the top of the breast. In addition, it is very unusual to actually achieve the shape and position your breast had when you were 18-20 years old. Oftentimes, surgeons will suggest a breast augmentation in conjunction with the mastopexy in order to help achieve the results you are looking for.

Is it right for me?

As with any cosmetic enhancement surgery, you should first consider your motivations. You want to be sure that you’re choosing surgery for yourself and not to fulfill someone else’s desires or expectations. It is a very personal matter and any decision for surgery should come after careful consideration of all the facts and emotions involved.

The breast lift may be a good option for you if you:

• Maintain good physical health and weight
• Don’t smoke
• Have realistic expectations
• Are bothered by the lack of fullness and shape of your breasts
• Perceive your nipples pointing downward
• Have stretch marks from lack of elasticity
• Have uneven or asymmetrical breasts

What to expect during your consultation

During your consultation you should share with your surgeon your goals and concerns. If you have photographs of results that you would like, bring them along to help us better understand your goals. You will have time to see a short (10-12 minutes) informational video on breast lift. Most consultations last at least 30 minutes and will allow you time to review photographs of patients on whom your surgeon has operated. This is the time to ask questions and share your expectations with your surgeon. Other issues that will be evaluated/discussed during your consultation include:

• Evaluate your current health
• Examine the condition of your pre-operative breasts for size, shape and irregularities and photograph your breasts
• Based on the information gathered, your surgeon will discuss your surgical options and recommend a course of treatment
• Disclose the risks and common complications associated with breast lift surgery and the use of anesthesia
• Cover what to do the day of surgery
• Discuss the limitations of mastopexy

Surgical Preparation

In the weeks before surgery, your surgeon may request:

• Laboratory testing or medical evaluations
• Adjustment of your current prescriptions
• That you get a mammogram to document any changes in breast tissues
• That you avoid the consumption of alcohol, drugs, and abstain from smoking for a certain period surrounding surgery
• That you refrain from certain medications including diet pills, aspirin, and other anti-inflammatory agents.
• We will also help you decide upon the location of your surgery. The operation is usually performed in the privacy of our AAAASF certified operating room. Certain patients may have a medical condition that necessitates that the operation be performed at a different facility. Your surgeon will carefully discuss the options with you.

The Procedure

There are many different types of breast lifts. Your surgeon will discuss with the potential drawbacks and benefits of your options and decide which approach he feels is best for you. Mastopexy usually results in one of three different scar patterns:

1. The periareolar (or Benelli) mastopexy: The scar is only around your areola.

2. The Vertical Mastopexy: The scar is around the areola and extends vertically toward the fold beneath the breast (the inframammary fold)

3. The Wise pattern or “anchor” pattern: The scar is around the areola, extends vertically to the inframammary fold, and then extends along the inframmary fold toward the midline and toward the side of your body

Some of the factors that will influence the decision include:

• The extent to which your breasts sag
• The condition of the skin and breast tissue including elasticity
• The condition of your nipples and areolas
• Your current breast shape and size
• Your desired breast size
• Your surgeon’s experience and expertise

Anesthesia

At our AAAASF facility we use deep intravenous sedation with a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in addition to local anesthesia at the operative site. The CRNA is able to carefully monitor your breathing, airway, and vital signs while delivering anesthesia to keep you asleep. You should not be aware of anything while under anesthesia. If the operation is done at the hospital outpatient facility, general anesthesia is usually administered. We realize how important safe and effective anesthesia is and make it a primary objective in providing your care.

Results

Although you will notice immediate results, your tissues will continue to recover and relax. The soft tissues are usually quite tight immediately after surgery. As time progresses, you will notice some relaxation of the soft-tissue envelope. The breast lift incisions will leave some noticeable scarring on the surface of the breast due to the nature of the procedure. Even though these scar lines will not fade completely, they usually flatten and fade significantly over time. Each patient will have a different scar response. Some recurrence of ptosis or sagging can occur over time, especially with significant weight gain/loss and pregnancy.
Potential risks of mastopexy:

Ultimately, the decision to undergo the breast lift procedure is yours alone. After careful consideration of both the risks and benefits of surgery, you’ll have to weigh the risks against the potential benefits to make an informed decision. Your surgeon will go over potential risks of surgery.
Some of the potential risks associated with mastopexy surgery include:

• Adverse scarring
• Excessive bleeding (hematoma)
• Infection
• Complications associated with scar healing, including pain associated with surgery
• Potential loss of breast sensation, which can be either permanent or temporary
• Capsular contracture (if implant used), which is the hardening of scar tissue surrounding the implant itself
• Leakage or rupture of the implant (if used)
• Asymmetry
• Change or loss of sensation to breast or nipple
• Potential risks of anesthesia use
• Blood clots
• Possibility of loss of part or all of nipple and/or areola
• Smoking can significantly increase the risks associated with any surgery, but especially mastopexy

Other considerations:

• Diagnostic procedures such as mammography and ultrasound can be impaired
• If you plan on becoming pregnant after your surgery, it is important to know that the pregnancy and childbirth may have adverse effects on the results of your mestopexy. It may also interfere or prevent future breastfeeding.

Recovery

Recovery is a very individualized process, but there are some common effects one can expect. Bruising and swelling are normal. Recovery time is different for everyone, but a minimum of 5-7 days of resting with limited physical activity is recommended. In addition, observance of 14 days without strenuous physical exercise is essential, in order for the incisions to heal, minimize the risks of bleeding, and to allow the swelling to subside. Increasing your fluid intake and mild exercise such as easy walking is recommended.
Questions to ask your doctor before surgery:

• Where will I recover directly after surgery?
• Will I be prescribed any post-surgery medications?
• How often do my bandages need to be changed and when will they be removed permanently?
• When can I shower?
• Do my stitches need to be removed?
• How soon will I need to return for a follow-up visit?

Things to consider during your recovery:
After surgery, you should closely monitor how you feel, especially directly after surgery. It is important that you have a responsible adult with you for at least the first 24 hours. Varying degrees of pain are to be expected, however, if you experience any kind of tightness or shortness of breath, pains deep in your chest or an irregular heart beat you should call your doctor immediately.

How much will mastopexy surgery cost?
Cost depends on many varying factors, including the experience of the surgeon, the type of implants being used (if necessary), and the location of the procedure. Be sure to interview several surgeons when doing your research so you can get a clear picture of your options. Oftentimes, higher cost is not indicative of higher quality; but, it can also be said that you get what you pay for. Silicone implants cost somewhat more than do saline implants. A written price quote will be provided during your consultation.
Costs you can expect to incur:

• Surgeon’s fee
• Facility fee
• Anesthesiologist
• Cost of implants
• Medications
• Laboratory tests

In addition, you may finance your surgery, should you desire, through Surgeryloans.com. (We also work with CareCredit)

If you have ANY questions, just ask your surgeon or his staff.