Breast Lift (Mastopexy) in Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ
What exactly is a breast lift?
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin, reshaping, and tightening the surrounding tissue to support a new breast contour. You can rely on one of the best breast lift Scottsdale specialists, Dr. Michele DeVito, who has many years of experience as a plastic surgeon.
With a breast lift procedure, the primary goal is to re-establish an aesthetically proportionate bust for a woman. The critical corrective consideration is the tissue viability of the nipple-areola complex, necessary to ensure the functional sensitivity of the breasts.
According to a report in the journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), breast lift surgery and breast augmentation with implants can be performed safely in a single procedure, which improves the size and shape of the breasts while lifting them, resulting in an ideal body contour.
A woman’s breasts change over time, loses some of their youthful shape and firmness. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and normal aging all may cause a woman to have stretched skin and decreased breast volume. A breast lift can reduce the size of the areola when it becomes enlarged over time. The procedure can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is youthful and uplifted.
Candidate for a Breast Lift
The ideal candidate is a healthy, non-smoker, who feels that her breasts have sagged, and that they may have lost shape and/or volume. A breast lift in Scottsdale is also an excellent way to address asymmetry between breasts such as when one breast is lower than the other. If you are planning to lose weight, are pregnant, still nursing a child or planning to have more children, you should wait to get a breast lift.
Breast Lift Options
Breast lift with Implants
A breast lift with implants can reposition the breast higher on your chest and use the implants to restore fullness at the top of the breast. It addresses the sagging of your breasts due to the aging process, asymmetry, genetics, loss of fullness in the top part of the breasts, pregnancy, stretch marks, and weight gain or loss.
Some women wish to regain fullness in the upper part of their breasts and the perkier appearance from their youth. A breast lift is a surgical procedure that eradicates excess skin, lifts the breast, and moves the nipple and areola.
Combining the breast lift with breast implants maximizes the most from your surgery, including not needing as much volume to the implant. When combining a breast lift in Phoenix with an implant, your breasts will gain in cup size and shape, be correctly positioned, and have an improved appearance than if you have just one of the procedures done.
Breast Lift without Implants
A breast lift can correct the droopiness of your breasts by taking out excess skin and soft tissue and give you a more youthful appearance. There are some benefits to having a breast lift without implants, including enhanced breast shape, symmetry, and a perkier appearance. Dr. DeVito will make every effort to make the scars from your breast lift as inconspicuous as possible. Scars can fade into thin white lines and be positioned in a place where you can wear a low-cut top
Breast Lift Incision Options
The Donut Incision
The donut incision, also known as a periareolar incision, is often used when a patient is getting a breast lift and breast implant at the same time. The donut incision is made around the entire areola, on or around the perimeter of the areola, with another outer incision done to take out the donut of skin around it. It is named as such because of the shape of the skin that is removed during the procedure. The donut incision can also be used for an areola reduction.
The Lollipop Incision
The lollipop incision, also known as a vertical lift, is a preferred option for women with more sagging than can be changed with the donut incision. The lollipop incision is created around the areola and vertically from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease. The incision can have a keyhole shaped appearance on the breast, which helps to preserve the nipple. The lollipop incision allows for a higher degree of revising sagging skin than with a donut incision. However, it is not generally used for a breast lift and breast implant combination procedure.
The Anchor Incision
The anchor incision looks like an inverted T, and is the preferred method when combining a breast lift and breast reduction. It can correct the most of sagginess issues and is used for patients with severe ptosis that needs the most amount of skin taken out. The anchor incision is created around the areola and downward towards the breast crease in a vertical line. It can also go along the breast crease in a horizontal line. This incision is the most invasive option and can leave a bigger scar than with other incisions.
Preparing for Breast Lift
There are a number of things you will need to do to get ready for your surgery. For at least two weeks before your procedure, you will want to stop smoking and drinking alcohol because it can lead to complications during and after your surgery. Do not take any aspirin, ibuprofen or herbal supplements, which interferes with your body’s clotting ability. You may take acetaminophen like Tylenol.
The night before your procedure, you should not eat or drink eight hours leading to the surgery, even water. If your stomach is not empty, you may regurgitate while under general anesthesia, and that could allow food or water to enter your lungs. And make sure to get a good night’s sleep.
It is a good idea to wear loose and comfortable clothes for your surgery. Follow all of Dr. DeVito’s instructions to have a successful and safe procedure.
Top 15 Benefits of a Breast Lift
Thanks to a breast lift Scottsdale surgeon like Dr. DeVito, you can look forward to some of the positive changes of getting a breast lift, including:
- Alter the feel of your breasts
- Boost your self-esteem
- Can be combined with other procedures like a tummy tuck
- Can fit better in your clothes
- Correct drooping breasts
- Eliminate the conditions that create rashes and skin infections
- Enhanced your body proportions
- Get pain relief by lessening the weight your breast put on your back
- Improve the appearance of your areola
- Less limitation during physical activities
- More natural appearance
- Raise saggy or droopy breasts
- Readjust your nipples/areolas
- Restore your pre-pregnancy figure
- Youthful appearance
What to Expect During Surgery
There are a number of techniques that can be used depending on the size and shape of your breasts, the size and position of your areolas, how much sagginess is involved, and the type of skin quality and elasticity you have. You will receive general anesthesia or intravenous sedation to provide you with comfort during your surgery.
The three most common incision patterns all involve going around the areola. One incision goes down vertically from the areola to the breast crease and another incision goes down the breast crease vertically and along the breast crease horizontally.
The surgeon then reshapes your breasts by lifting the underlying breast tissue and enhancing breast contour and firmness. The nipple and areola are also repositioned. Excess breast skin is eliminated. The surgeon then tightens the skin and closes the incisions, which may be concealed in the breast contours. Incisions are permanent, but usually fade over time. Sutures or skin adhesives are used to close the incisions and help support your newly shaped breasts.
Breast Lift FAQs
How Long Should I Wait Following Childbirth?
Every woman is different but the general consensus is to wait at least three months, preferably six months, after you stop breastfeeding. It is important that your breast are no longer producing any more milk.
You should definitely wait to have a breast lift until you are planning not to have anymore children. And also, it is best to wait until you have lost all the weight you gained while pregnant and have a more stable weight.
Pregnancy After a Breast Lift
There are differences in how you may feel if you get pregnant after getting a breast lift. For example, breastfeeding will not be the same experience. You may be able to lactate but there may be loss of function, and the possibility of severing a duct or nerve. The sensation in your nipples will be different, as it can take up to five years to recover sensation after a breast surgery. Breast shapes change dramatically with each pregnancy. It is best to try and plan to be done having children before getting a breast lift.
What are the Results?
The results may not be permanent, because you will continue to age, but if you maintain a healthy lifestyle and a stable weight, they can be long-lasting. You will be able to see an immediate result in the appearance of your breasts after your surgery. And the shape of your breasts will continue to change over the next few months, as the swelling decreases, the incision lines fade away and the condition of your breasts settle in place. You may also notice that your bra size might be smaller after a breast lift because they are now firmer and rounder.
Is it Safe? What are the Risks?
Any surgery has risks, including bleeding or infection, although studies have shown that serious side effects are rare. It is imperative that you choose an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. As a result, you are more likely to have a very good outcome with immediately noticeable results and minimal complications. Other possible risks can include changes in nipple or breast sensation, irregularities in the shape and size of your breasts, scarring and difficulty breastfeeding if you become pregnant after your surgery.
Will there be a Scar?
Yes, the scars are permanent but they do fade into thin, white lines within two years. At first, it is normal for the scars to appear red and lumpy. The scars can usually be well hidden by your bras and bathing suits.
How is the Recovery?
After you have a mastopexy or breast lift, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. You will need to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal. Dr. DeVito will examine you and remove bandages the day after surgery. You should be able to return to work and other activities within four to six weeks. It is very important to limit your activity as directed during recovery, and to immediately report any side effects or problems you’re having.
How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?
The cost of a breast lift can vary depending on what is done and if additional procedures will be included in your surgery. Dr. DeVito has been providing high quality service in the Scottsdale area for many years and customizes your procedure based on your individual needs. Our staff can go over the details of your insurance with you and see if a portion of the surgery may be covered.
Consultation
If you are considering a breast lift, contact DeVito Plastic Surgery Center to schedule your consultation with Dr. DeVito, a board-certified breast lift Scottsdale plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face and body. You will be able to express your desired results, and receive valuable feedback from an experienced plastic surgeon who can turn your dream body into a reality!
If you are ready for this change in your life, let Dr. DeVito and her caring staff help you get the best breast lift Phoenix has to offer you. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
