Quick Facts
- Incision Options: Anchor-shaped, lollipop-shaped, donut-shaped
- Procedure: Outpatient
- Anesthesia: General
- Duration of Procedure: About two hours
- Initial Recovery Phase: About five days
- Results: Visible immediately, but continue to improve for several months
Do you desire lifted breasts that sit higher up on the chest wall, in a more youthful-looking position? If so, you might be a good candidate for mastopexy, or breast lift surgery, with Dr. Sean Maguire, head of Physician’s Center for Beauty. To view Dr. Maguire’s patients’ breast lift results, visit our breast lift gallery.
What Does Breast Lift Achieve?
Over time, the body produces less collagen and elastin, proteins that are essential for healthy, elastic skin. Without these proteins, the skin loses its elasticity and starts to sag. In addition, pregnancy and breastfeeding and substantial weight loss can cause cosmetic changes in the breasts, often causing them to droop and / or appear flattened. (For women who would like both lifted and fuller breasts, Dr. Maguire may recommend including breast implants in breast lift surgery.) Sometimes, these factors can also lead to overly enlarged areolas (the darkly pigmented skin encircling the nipples) and nipples that have migrated down the front of the breasts and point toward the floor instead of straight ahead. Thankfully, undergoing breast lift surgery can help improve these aesthetic issues.
Is Breast Lift Right for Me?
Generally, you might benefit from breast lift surgery if:
- You are frustrated with sagging breasts, excessively large areolas and / or downward-pointing nipples
- You have reasonable expectations for what can be achieved with breast lift surgery
- You are in sound health overall
- You are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- You do not plan on becoming pregnant (Although undergoing breast lift surgery does not typically affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed, pregnancy and nursing can counteract the aesthetic benefits of the procedure.)
- You have made the decision to pursue breast lift surgery of your own volition
What Are the Various Incision Approaches?
During consultation, Dr. Maguire evaluates your skin and breast health and listens to your aesthetic goals for surgery before suggesting the incision approach that best suits your unique needs. The surgeon offers three types of incision patterns for mastopexy:
- A donut-shaped incision that goes around the outer perimeter of the areola (best for women with little breast tissue who do not require an extensive degree of breast elevation)
- A lollipop-shaped incision that extends around the outer border of the areola as well as vertically down the front of the breast
- An anchor-shaped incision that involves the previous two incision patterns plus a third incision that extends horizontally underneath the natural breast crease (best for women requiring an extensive degree of breast elevation and nipple relocation)
What Happens During Breast Lift Surgery?
Breast lift surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis, under general anesthesia. The procedure takes about two hours, depending on the complexity of the patient’s surgical needs.
Once the chosen incision pattern has been made, Dr. Maguire eliminates loose excess skin from the breasts. If the areolas are too large, he can reduce their size by excising some of the skin from the outer part of the areolas. He re-shapes the breast mound, meanwhile raising it to a higher, more aesthetically pleasing position on the chest wall. Keeping the nipple and areola attached to the underlying tissue to help preserve nipple sensation and breastfeeding ability, Dr. Maguire also moves the nipple-areola complex to a higher, more central position on the breast. If warranted, based on your desire for an increase in size or based on anatomic requirements, an implant may be placed. Once he is satisfied with the position and appearance of the breasts, he closes the incisions and dresses the treatment area with fluffy bandages.
After the effects of the anesthesia have worn off, the patient is released into the care of a responsible individual, so she can recover in the comfort of her own home.
What Can I Expect During Recovery?
Breast lift patients should plan to take about five days off from work or their everyday routine, during which time they should rest as much as possible and avoid vigorous activity including heavy lifting and exercising.
The breasts might be swollen, bruised, numb, tender or sore, but these are expected symptoms that should subside with time. Taking oral pain medication as directed by Dr. Maguire can help relieve any discomfort.
During a follow-up appointment at Physician’s Center for Beauty, Dr. Maguire will let patients know when they can safely resume their usual activities.
Lift Your Breasts. Lift Your Spirits.
You might be surprised to discover how lifting your breasts to a more youthful position can also lift your spirits. To schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Maguire to learn more about breast lift surgery, contact Physician’s Center for Beauty.
