A breast lift can improve the shape and “perkiness” of your breasts. Our focus is to give you as natural a result as possible, while taking into account your specific desires. Dr. MacLennan will use her decades of experience to give appropriate recommendations for your individual situation.
How is a Breast Lift done?
A mastopexy removes skin and rearranges breast tissue. The nipple is moved upward, the extra skin is removed, and the sagging breast tissue is rearranged and moved up. Breast lift can raise sagging breast tissue, but it can’t raise the breast itself (the breast footprint) up higher on the chest wall.
In many patients, the final shape is improved with liposuction along the sides of the chest and in front of the armpit. This causes some bruising and is usually the main area of discomfort.
Who is a good candidate for Breast Lift?
If you’re comfortable with your breast size but would like to be lifted or reshaped, a mastopexy alone may help. A mastopexy alone can increase breast projection but it can’t improve fullness in the upper part of the breast. To improve roundness or fullness in the upper part of the breast, a breast implant can be added to the lift.
While recovery from breast lift surgery is surprisingly easy, you’ll need time to recover. It takes about two weeks to get back to normal activities of daily living and about four weeks to get back to unrestricted activity. Women who have small children may need some help for a couple of weeks to avoid too much heavy lifting.
I could not have chosen better than Dr. MacLennan. From the first meeting I felt I could trust this physician; that we were a team discussing various options in order to determine what was right for me. She was frank about the limitations of surgery and the potential areas where there could be problems in healing or outcome. She is meticulous in covering all the points and ensuring I knew what was entailed. You could not be in better hands. She is a skilled surgeon and an artist in her work.
FAQS
What Are The Different Types Of Breast Lifts?
Vertical / “lollipop” technique:rnrnThis is the most common technique Dr. MacLennan recommends. The incisions extend all the way around the areola and then straight down to the bottom of the breast. The areola is made smaller, sagging breast tissue is removed or repositioned, and the skin is re-draped. This technique lifts and cones the breast and can be used both with and without an implant.rnrnrnInverted T / “anchor” technique:rnrnDr. MacLennan only adds the extra “T” incision if there is simply too much extra skin to have a good result with only the lollipop scar. The breast tissue is still rearranged, the nipple elevated, and the breast reshaped, but more skin is also removed along the crease under the breast, creating an additional scar.rnrnrnPeriareolar / “donut” technique:rnrnThis technique is useful for the true “tuberous” breast, but Dr. MacLennan doesn’t recommend it for most lifts. The tightness of the closure around the areola tends to flatten the breast, the scar quality can be poor, and the areola can enlarge due to the tension. Many women ask about this technique due to the perception that there is less scarring, but we usually prefer the vertical technique for its superior reshaping.
Can Mastopexy & Augmentation Be Done At The Same Time, Or Do I Need Two Stages?
Dr. MacLennan often offers breast lifts and augmentation at the same time. The combination is more complex than either operation alone, but some women benefit from the addition of an implant at the same time as mastopexy.
Will Mastopexy Interfere With Breastfeeding?
Breast lift is done with the goal of reshaping the breast but preserving its function. The nipple is left attached to the underlying tissue. Every attempt is made to preserve breastfeeding ability and nipple sensation, but some women are unable to breastfeed even without undergoing breast surgery.
Should I Wait Until After Pregnancy To Have A Breast Lift?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can change the size, shape, and consistency of the breasts. While there is no medical contraindication to pregnancy after cosmetic breast surgery, if you plan to have babies in the future, it may be better for you to wait until after you are finished having children so that your results will be longer-lasting.
What Are The Potential Risks Associated With Mastopexy?
As with any surgery, bleeding and infection are possible concerns, but occur infrequently. Difficulty breastfeeding and loss of nipple sensation are also possible concerns. Scars can be raised, red, or itchy, and it can be challenging to achieve symmetry between the two breasts. Breasts will always change shape and re-droop to some extent with time, so it is important to have realistic expectations.
