How Is a Breast Lift Performed?
Consultation
Expectations
When you come in for your consultation with our medical professionals, we will ask you questions to determine your expectations for the procedure. We will talk to you about what you’d like to see changed about your breasts, and we will discuss your options when it comes to what we can do for you. We will ask about the shape you desire and how you’d like to see your nipples and areolas placed.
If you give us as much information as possible about what you want to see in your breasts, we can let you know how much of that we can expect to accomplish. We will be open and honest with you about what we can do and the changes you will see. We will also discuss everything you will need to be aware of and give you some specifics about how we will go about your procedure.
Medical History and Lifestyle
Your consultation will also include an assessment of your medical history. We will ask you to list medications that you are currently taking, and we will ask about any medical conditions you have. We will also want to know about any medical procedures you have undergone.
Testing
Depending on your medical history, we make ask you to undergo testing such as a mammogram.
Candidacy Determination
In order to determine whether you are a good candidate for a breast lift at this time, we will need to understand some of your future plans. The best candidates for this procedure are women whose breasts are fully developed. You will also see better results if you are at a stable weight, as weight gain and weight loss can change the size and shape of your breasts.
It is also best that you wait to have this procedure until you are no longer expecting to become pregnant. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause major changes in your breasts. However, if you do become pregnant after your breast lift, you should still be able to breastfeed as usual. Breast size is not a factor in being a candidate.
Anesthesia
On the day of your procedure, we will administer anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the process. You will be under general anesthesia. Typically this is done as an outpatient procedure, so you will be able to leave later that day to recover comfortably in your home.
Incisions
The incisions that are made will depend on what was decided in the consultation and the specific results you want to see. Usually, an incision will be made around the areola. Then it may continue vertically or horizontally across the breasts.
Reshaping
Tissue Lifting
In order to recreate the shape of your breasts, the breast tissue will be manipulated and repositioned into a place that creates a more pleasing effect. The tissue will be moved and structured so that the breasts become firmer and smoother.
Movement of Nipple and Areola
In many cases, the nipple and areola will need to be moved to a location that fits better with the newly shaped breasts. This usually involves moving the whole section to a location where it is even with the lower crease of the breasts and does not point downward.
Areola Reduction
In some cases, you may wish to have your areola made smaller. We can remove the oversized part of the areola and replace it with breast skin from another area.
Removal of Skin
Once the breast tissue has been repositioned and the breasts have been formed into the desired shape, there is often extra skin that will need to be removed. This will be taken care of so the skin is tight.
Sutures
The procedure ends by using sutures or glue to secure the incisions so the breasts can heal.
Results
Higher Breasts
After your breast lift, you can expect your breasts to stand higher on your chest. Any sagging will be reduced, and your breasts will look better placed.
Better Nipple Placement
Over time, changes in your breasts will cause your nipples and areola to fall lower than you want them to be. During your lift, we can move that whole area to a place where it gives you a better appearance and reduces the signs of aging.
Tighter Skin
As your breasts change their shape and size, the skin may also become looser. This can happen naturally as you age or be increased by pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight changes. After your breast lift, your skin will be tighter and stronger.
No Excess Skin
Excess breast skin is caused by gaining and losing weight or breast size. Changes in breasts, especially during pregnancy, may leave you with loose skin. You can expect to have this skin eliminated during your procedure so that skin is no longer present.
Better Elasticity
You may lose moisture and the supple texture in your skin on your breasts. You will be able to see more elasticity and the skin on your breasts will look more youthful after your procedure.
Better Contours
The contours and curves of your breasts are important in looking the way you want either in or out of clothing. Your lift will create attractive and natural-looking contours to give you a beautiful shape.
Smaller Areolas
If your areolas have become stretched out and no longer in proportion to the rest of your breasts, we can reduce their size and replace some of the skin with regular breast skin.
Even Breasts
Breasts can sometimes change at an uneven rate and may be very differently shaped or sized. Your procedure can include shaping your breasts so that they will be even and symmetrical.
Larger Breasts
Increasing breast size is an option during your lift. We use three different types of implants and will help you decide which is right for you. Saline implants are filled with a saline solution and easy to adjust for size. Silicone implants feel like more natural breast tissue and are often chosen for that reason.
A fat transfer uses fat taken from another part of your body like your thighs or stomach. We implant this fat into your breasts to create a larger, more shapely breast.
Preparation
Write Down Your Medical History
The more information you can give us about your medical history, the better we can serve you. Before you come in for a consultation, write down everything you can about your medical history. Include any procedures you’ve had completed and the medications you take.
You may also want to include any family medical history you know.
Consider Your Expectations
Consider exactly what you’d like changed about your breasts and what you want them to look like after the procedure. Be very detailed, so we can best assess what we can give you and how we can meet your expectations and give you results you will love.
Stop Smoking
If you can, you should stop smoking before your procedure. Smoking slows the flow of blood and will slow your healing. For the best results, quit as soon as possible before your lift.
Testing
It is a good idea to have a recent mammogram completed before your procedure. If you are not up to date on your mammograms, you should consider doing this. If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, we may recommend that you have a mammogram.
Medications
Certain medications and supplements can thin your blood. We will ask you to stop taking these medications before your procedure. These include anti-inflammatories, aspirin, and some herbal supplements.
Stabilize Your Weight
You will want to maintain a healthy weight before you have your procedure. This will help you in your healing process and will ensure that your breasts are less likely to change due to weight gain or loss after your lift.
Make Plans for Recovery Help
You will need someone to help you once the procedure is over. Please arrange for someone to drive you home from your lift and for someone to be with you for several days to help you complete daily tasks that you may not be able to do on your own.
After the Procedure
Post-Op Visits
We will schedule you for several post-operative visits to check your progress, remove any sutures, and make sure you are healing properly. The first visit will be about a week after your procedure. You will then have about 4 or 5 more visits within the first 3 months. After that, we will schedule you for yearly visits.
If your breasts change again over time, we can schedule follow-up procedures to renew your results. Please be sure to attend all visits and reschedule if you cannot make your appointment.
Restrictions
You will have some restrictions on your activity in the first days and weeks after your procedure. We will ask you not to lift more than 10 pounds or do any strenuous pushing or pulling.
You will also want to restrict your exercise for several weeks after the procedure. You will want to avoid strenuous or high-impact activity for about 8 weeks. Moderate activity can occur within 4 to 6 weeks, and you can perform low-impact exercises within 2 to 3 weeks.
Garments
You will be given special bandages, a support garment, or both for the weeks following the procedure. This will help keep your breasts in place so that they are able to heal properly.
Weight Maintenance
It is important to maintain your weight after the lift so your breasts do not change in any extreme way that will negate your results. The longer you can maintain your weight, the better chance you have that your results will last.
Have the Breasts You Want
Breast surgery is a great way of getting the elastic, shapely, and full breasts that you want. Schedule a consultation with Boulder Plastic Surgery in Boulder, CO to talk to us about how to get the confidence that comes from having breasts you will be proud to display. We want to help you look your best, and will help you achieve the look you desire.