Breast Lift — Facts You Should Know When Considering Mastopexy

Deciding whether or not to undergo surgery to change the shape of your breasts can be difficult, especially if you do not have all of the facts. Specific details should be discussed with a surgeon, but there are many general aspects that one should be familiar with during the decision making process.

The choice of cosmetic surgeon is important to consider carefully. Cosmetic surgery can be carried out by any licensed physician, but choosing a surgeon who has the specialized knowledge and experience for your procedure will yield the best results. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons exists for physicians who specialize in cosmetic surgery. Members of the ASPS have at least five years of experience as surgeons and at least two years of experience specifically with cosmetic surgery. Surgeons who have previous experience with mastopexy (the medical term for a breast lift) are the ideal candidates for carrying out your procedure.

Sagging, known medically as ptosis, is an issue that many women would like to correct if given the opportunity. Changes in breast shape can lead to changes in how a woman feels about her body. The purpose of the surgery is to reduce the sagging that can be brought on by pregnancy, breastfeeding, hormonal fluctuations, weight loss, weight gain, and age. Gravity and the aging process are the main factors, causing both a weakening of the ligaments that hold the breast in place as well as the skin’s loss of elasticity. Ptosis can range from minor, to moderate, and severe. The severity of the ptosis will play a determining role in which technique you choose together with your surgeon.

The procedure can be carried out several different ways. You might only wish to have a minor adjustment, or you may decide to go for a complete change in shape. One must weigh the pros and cons of a major lift versus making only small modifications. A full breast lift may require multiple incisions, which will lead to more scarring, but also a more drastic change in appearance. Other versions of mastopexy exist, resulting in less dramatic changes, but also less scarring and recovery time.

A less intense modification may only require local anesthesia in which the pain is numbed directly. More comprehensive restructuring may require general anesthesia in which the patient is unconscious. Recovery time varies, but can be as brief as one day. One or two weeks may be necessary in some cases.

Scarring is inevitable, but your surgeon has a few techniques to choose from for reducing the visibility of scars. The incisions can be made around the areolas in a circular pattern or underneath the areolas with vertical and horizontal cuts. During the operation, excess skin is usually removed and the areola can even be changed in size or repositioned. All of these factors should be weighed when deciding how much difference you want the operation to make in your appearance.

When considering a breast lift, you have options, and being informed will make the discussion with your surgeon much more fruitful. The decision to undergo the surgery is an important and personal one, and having the facts will allow you to make the right choice for you.