A breast lift (or mastopexy), lifts and reshapes sagging breasts. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is more uplifted. A woman’s breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well. These types of breast shape changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Weight fluctuations
- Aging
- Gravity
- Heredity
Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation?
For breasts that are small or have lost volume, breast implants may suffice to restore a youthful appearance. If you want your breasts to look fuller or larger, consider breast augmentation surgery with implants. However, an implant cannot fully correct significant sagging. In cases of significant sagging, a breast lift is the appropriate solution. During your consultation, Dr. Doolabh will review all your options and help decide what procedure will be best to meet your goals and expectations. In some cases, the best results are achieved by combining the procedures, using breast implants to help restore lost volume and a breast lift to restore the breast’s shape and realign the nipple position.
Who is a good candidate for a breast lift?
You may be a candidate for breast lift surgery if:
- You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag or have lost shape and volume
- Your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape
- When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease
- Your nipples and areolas point downward
- You have stretched skin and enlarged areolas
- One breast hangs lower than the other
- You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight
- You do not smoke
A breast lift isn’t for everyone. If you’re considering pregnancy at any point in the future, you might delay getting a breast lift. During pregnancy, your breasts could stretch and offset the results of the lift.
What kind of results should I expect from my breast lift?
This surgery brings the hanging lower portion of your breasts back up to a higher position on the chest. You’ll notice an immediate change in the appearance of your breasts — although their shape will continue to change and settle over the next few months. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover from surgery. Incision lines are permanent but will continue to fade over time. The results of your breast lift surgery will be long-lasting.
How long will the results last?
The sagging and excess skin removed by Dr. Doolabh with your breast lift procedure will be permanently gone. You’ll be able to retain your new look for longer if you maintain your weight and keep a healthy lifestyle. While a breast lift won’t affect your ability to become pregnant or breastfeed in the future, Dr. Doolabh advises her potential breast lift patients to be pretty confident they do not want any additional children moving forward. Natural changes in the breasts during pregnancy would likely negate the results from a breast lift.
Before & After Photos
If you’re interested in learning more about a breast lift, please contact our office at (904) 854-4800 to schedule a consultation.
More Frequently Asked Questions
A mildly elongated breast with a non-centered areola may appear lifted simply by moving the areola higher. A well-positioned scar around the pigmented areola borders generally has very little long term visibility and can elevate the lower breast tissue a short distance. This can be further enhanced with the use of a high projection breast implant.
An implant is primarily used for providing volume and support of the existing soft tissue envelope. The consequence of placing an implant without reshaping with a lift, can result in an unfavorable “waterfall” deformity where the breast tissue appears to be sliding off the front of the implant at maximum projection. Doing an augmentation with a lift at the same setting is common.
You’ll need to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal. After surgery, your breasts will be bruised, swollen and uncomfortable for a few days. You’ll probably want to use prescription pain medication for the first two days or so. From there, pain decreases quickly, and most patients are able to switch to over-the-counter pain medication options. Most patients return to work the next week, but should continue to avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for the next four to six weeks.
You will be given specific instructions that may include:
- Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection
- Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health
- When to follow up with Dr. Doolabh
Some degree of scarring will be inevitable. While breast lift scars may be lengthy, you’ll be surprised how they fade over time. If you have a long breast with substantial tissue overhanging the bottom crease, a vertical incision extending down from the nipple is necessary to round out the lower portion of the breast. This is accompanied by scars around the areola to re-center it onto the lifted, rounded breast mound. Topical scar-minimizing treatments may be used beginning a few weeks after your surgery to help minimize the appearance of scars. Only use topical treatments after Dr. Doolabh has removed your wound dressings at your follow-up appointment. Breast lift scars generally change in appearance and improve over time for up to 12 months.
We hope the information on our website helps you understand a little more about the breast lift procedure.
Why Choose Contemporary Plastic Surgery for a Breast Lift in Jacksonville, FL?
With her friendly, approachable manner and years of training, Dr. Doolabh is an excellent resource to help you better understand all your options when it comes to breast surgery, and to develop a customized surgical plan tailored to meet your unique goals. With convenience, privacy, and safety as our priorities, Contemporary Plastic Surgery offers fully-equipped AAAASF accredited surgical operating suites, with a separate preoperative and recovery room unit, within the facility. The Contemporary Plastic Surgery family includes an experienced operating team of registered nurses, surgical specialists, and anesthesia providers for your safety. Dr. Doolabh encourages patients’ inner motivations for self-improvement and wellbeing in a dignified and discreet atmosphere.