OVERVIEW
Like any part of the body, breasts can change appearance over time, most noticeably, once perky breasts can sag to a woman’s dissatisfaction. Greater Houston area cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Sumpter, will use breast lift surgery to remove excessive skin around the breast area and tighten the remaining skin for a more lifted, youthful look. Not only are breasts lifted, but the surgery also enhances the shape of the breasts to give them an overall better appearance. No matter the degree of sagging, there’s a specialized technique that Dr. Sumpter can deploy to a achieve a woman's aesthetic goal.
BEST CANDIDATES
Good candidates for breast lifts are women who demonstrate:
- Breasts that have lost volume and shape
- Breasts that are flat or elongated
- Breasts that have enlarged or stretched areolas
- Breasts that have nipples that point downward and/or below the crease of your breasts
- Non-smokers and those who are in overall good health
INCISION PATTERNS
A breast lift requires incisions to shape and firm the breasts. The most common incision patterns used during a breast lift procedure are:
- Incision around the areola
- Incisions around the areola and then vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the breast crease
- Incisions around the areola and then vertically from the bottom edge of the areola to the breast crease and finally extending horizontally in the breast crease
The size and shape of the breasts, size of the areolas, and extent of sagging are factors that will help our surgeon determine the best technique to use. Occasionally, it may be determined that a small breast implant may be necessary or desired to enhance the fullness of the upper portion of the breast. This can be done at the same time as the lift or at a later date.
WHAT TO EXPECT
We will evaluate the overall health of the patient, as well as assess the current breast size and shape and take measurements of the breast to help determine the amount of sagging that is present. Additionally, the skin laxity, symmetry, and the underlying bone anatomy of the chest will also be assessed. This evaluation will help our team to develop an individual breast lift plan. Most patients are nervous about scarring that may occur after a breast lift procedure. During surgery, we take excellent care during the incision process to minimize scars. In addition, our practice will provide a thorough scar care treatment protocol to help with the healing.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
AUGMENTATION VS. LIFT
Patients desiring breast augmentation may discover that they need a lift first if there is a certain degree of sagging. If the patient wishes to add more volume and increase the breast size, implants will resolve this issue. However, implants are not always needed depending on how much native breast tissue exists prior to the lift. Before surgery, we will provide a thorough assessment as to whether or not an augmentation is necessary to attain the aesthetic results the patient desires. It’s important to note that if an implant is placed within a sagging breast without a lift, the outcome most likely will be very unsatisfactory.
NIPPLE REPOSITIONING
In some breast lift cases, the nipple may need to be repositioned so that it looks proportional to the newly shaped breast. When excess skin is trimmed away during surgery, a portion of an overly stretched areola is trimmed away at the same time. The goal during surgery is to reduce the size of the areola and create an even, natural appearance.
SCARRING
With the majority of breast lift procedures, there is some scarring associated with the surgery. All patients receive a multi-layer closure to minimize these scars as much as possible. A post-surgery scar care program will be provided, and patients are strongly encouraged to follow the plan so that healing can be optimized.
AFTER SURGERY
After breast lift surgery, patients are placed in a surgical dressing that may include a support bra. Swelling is expected and patients should take it easy for a few days. The swelling will start to resolve within 1-2 weeks after surgery and most patients are able to resume modest activities within about 2-3 weeks. A breast lift typically takes about 6-8 weeks for a full recovery.
EXPECTED COST
Breast lift surgery can cost between $4,750-$7,500. If the surgery is combined with breast augmentation where implants are used, the cost will increase upwards to about $8,300-$9,300. In most cases, a breast lift is considered cosmetic by nature, thus is typically is not covered by medical insurance.
ACHIEVE THE LOOK YOU WANT!
We invite you to call our cosmetic surgery office and schedule your consultation with our doctor today. If you are bothered by sagging, droopy breasts and are considering a breast lift, this surgery can restore the look and feel of your breasts and create a gorgeous, youthful outcome.
