Are you looking to restore the shape and firmness of your breasts? Dr. Eric Schaffer, a highly respected and board-certified plastic surgeon in San Antonio, specializes in breast procedures, including breast lifts. Whether your breasts have lost shape due to aging, pregnancy, or weight changes, Dr. Schaffer’s expertise can help you get the look you desire.
What Is A Breast Lift?
A breast lift, also called mastopexy, is a surgery that lifts and reshapes sagging breasts to improve their appearance. Over time, factors like aging, gravity, weight loss, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can cause your breasts to lose their youthful shape and firmness.
A breast lift addresses these changes by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue, giving the breasts a more uplifted and youthful look.
The procedure also often involves repositioning the nipples and areolas for a natural, balanced appearance. A breast lift could be an excellent option to rejuvenate your breasts and restore their contour.
Am I A Candidate for a Breast Lift?
The ideal candidate for a breast lift has breasts that are the size they desire but have begun to sag or droop downwards. The breasts may have lost their firmness, and/or the nipples and areolas have started to point downwards. This candidate should be in good health with no illnesses that would negatively affect the body’s healing process after the surgery. Finally, most importantly, potential patients should have realistic expectations for the possible outcome.
"I recently had a breast augmentation done and I LOVE IT! I would recommend Dr. Schaffer to anyone and everyone! He made me feel so comfortable and answered any questions I had. I used to feel so self conscious about my chest but now I feel comfortable wearing anything. Best decision I’ve ever made!"
Breast Lift Before And After
What to Consider During Your Consultation
Once you have begun to seriously consider a breast lift, the most important thing to do is set up a consultation with San Antonio-based Dr. Eric Schaffer. Dr. Schaffer is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is one of the foremost authorities in the Southwest on innovative body contouring cosmetic procedures. You can trust Dr. Schaffer’s keen aesthetic eyes to give you the results you desire.
Before your consultation, be prepared with a list of questions and your medical history and lifestyle. This way, Dr. Schaffer can provide you with all the relevant information about the breast lift and your expected results. During this consultation, Dr. Schaffer and you will begin to discuss the best action plan for getting the desired results. As no two women are exactly alike, keep an open mind in order to consider Dr. Schaffer’s advice.
Breast Lift Surgery
A breast lift is an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia. The procedure usually takes one to three hours. Depending on the size and shape of the breasts, the degree of sagging, and the amount of excess skin, Dr. Schaffer uses one of the following types of breast lift techniques:
- Peri-Areolar or “Donut” Lift: Suitable for women with mild to moderate sagging, this technique features a circular incision around the edge of the areola. It can also reduce the size of the areola, offering the least amount of scarring and a moderate lift.
- Vertical or “Lollipop” Lift: This technique is best for women with moderate sagging and those who need breast reshaping. It involves two incisions: one around the edge of the areola and another running vertically from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease. The vertical lift provides significant lifting and reshaping with relatively minimal scarring.
- Anchor or “Inverted-T” Lift: Best suited for women with significant sagging and excess skin, this method involves three incisions: one around the areola, one vertically from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease, and one along the inframammary fold (breast crease), forming an anchor shape. This allows for substantial removal of excess skin and dramatic breast reshaping.
After making the incisions, Dr. Schaffer removes and reshapes the breast tissue to achieve the desired breast contour. The nipple and areola are usually moved higher on the breast or resized. Dr. Schaffer trims the excess skin to create a tighter appearance. Incisions are then closed with stitches.
Breast Lift Before & After
Before
After
Before
After
Why Choose Eric S. Schaffer, MD, FACS?
With Dr. Eric Schaffer, you’re in the hands of a highly respected and experienced plastic surgeon. Dr. Schaffer is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has trained at prestigious institutions, including Harvard and Yale Medical Schools. With over two decades of experience, he is frequently recognized as one of the top plastic surgeons in Texas and the country, including being named a “Texas Super Doctor” by Texas Monthly.
From the first consultation to post-surgery follow-ups, Dr. Schaffer works closely with each patient to understand their unique goals and provide the best possible results. His warm and knowledgeable team ensures you feel comfortable and informed.
The Recovery Process
After breast lift surgery, you’ll have a structured recovery process to ensure optimal healing and results. Here is a detailed timeline of what to expect:
Immediately After Surgery
- Bruising, Soreness, and Swelling: These are common right after the procedure and will gradually go away over the next few weeks.
- Dressing and Support: Dr. Schaffer will wrap your breasts in an elastic bandage or a surgical bra to minimize swelling and support your healing breasts.
First Week Post-Surgery
- Continued Support: Patients should continuously wear the surgical bra or elastic bandage for about a week.
- Pain Management: Expect mild to moderate pain, which we can manage with prescribed pain medication.
- Mobility: Light activities are encouraged, but avoid strenuous movements that might strain the chest area.
- Follow-Up Appointment: You will have a follow-up visit with Dr. Schaffer to monitor your healing progress and address any concerns.
Second Week Post-Surgery
- Stitch Removal: Dr. Schaffer will remove your stitches, typically one to two weeks after the surgery.
- Transition to Support Bra: You will transition from the surgical bra to a support bra, which you should wear continuously for the next month.
- Return to Work: Most patients can go back to work and resume light activities within a week, depending on their job’s physical demands.
Weeks Three to Four Post-Surgery
- Activity Level: Gradually increase your activity level, but continue to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and activities that heavily engage the chest muscles.
- Healing Monitoring: Regular check-ins with Dr. Schaffer ensure your recovery is on track.
One Month Post-Surgery
- Resume Exercise: You may begin to slowly reintroduce exercise and more strenuous activities into your routine, based on Dr. Schaffer’s guidance.
- Long-Term Support: Continue to wear a support bra as recommended to maintain your results.
Throughout the recovery process, it is crucial to follow Dr. Schaffer’s instructions closely and go to all your follow-up appointments for the best possible outcome.
Breast Augmentation With Lift
In certain cases, a breast lift alone is not enough. If you’ve noticed a decrease in your breast size or were never happy with their size, you can choose to combine a breast lift with a breast augmentation.
A breast augmentation with a lift, also known as an augmentation mammaplasty, is a combination surgical procedure that lifts sagging breasts and increases their size. This combination means you only need one surgery and one recovery period. During your consultation, Dr. Schaffer will discuss your goals and determine if a breast augmentation, a breast lift, or a combination of both is best for your surgical goals.
"Dr Eric Schaffer is the best doctor I have ever been to. He did a tummy tuck on me & 4 weeks later did a breast augmentation with a lift. I'm a 63 year old women & I could not have had a better surgeon. I am completely satisfied with my surgeries, I highly recommend Dr. Schaffer for any plastic surgery that you may want. Peggy"
Frequently Asked Questions
Your breast lift results can last for many years, but natural factors such as aging, gravity, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy can affect longevity. You can help prolong the results of your surgery by maintaining a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle.
Yes, a breast lift will leave some scars, but Dr. Schaffer uses advanced techniques to minimize scarring and place incisions where they are less noticeable. Over time, scars typically fade and become less prominent. Following post-surgery care instructions can also help improve the appearance of scars.
Yes, we can combine a breast lift with other procedures such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, or body contouring surgeries. Combining surgeries can enhance your overall results and reduce the need for additional downtime. Dr. Schaffer will help you determine the best approach to meet your goals.
We typically perform breast lifts under general anesthesia, which means you’ll be asleep during the procedure and won’t feel any pain. Dr. Schaffer and his team will ensure you are comfortable and safe throughout the surgery.
Plenty of women can still breastfeed after getting a breast lift, but this depends on the type of lift and the extent of the surgery. Dr. Schaffer will discuss this with you during your consultation to ensure you understand how the procedure might impact your ability to breastfeed.
As with any surgery, there are some risks involved with a breast lift. These can include infection, bleeding, changes in nipple or breast sensation, scarring, and complications with anesthesia. Dr. Schaffer will discuss all potential risks and how to manage them during your consultation.
Follow Dr. Schaffer’s pre-operative instructions, which may include stopping smoking and avoiding certain medications. You’ll also want to arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure. We recommend preparing a comfortable recovery space at home ahead of time.
Breast lifts primarily focus on lifting and reshaping the breasts rather than changing their size. However, some patients may notice their breast size changes slightly with the removal of excess skin. If you want a more noticeable change in breast size, you may want to combine the lift with a breast augmentation or reduction.
Most patients can return to work and light activities within a week, but this can vary based on the nature of your job and your personal healing process. Dr. Schaffer will guide you on when it’s safe to resume your regular activities.
We recommend waiting until your breasts have stabilized after pregnancy and breastfeeding, typically six months to a year. This allows for better, more predictable results. During your consultation, Dr. Schaffer will discuss the ideal timing based on your individual situation.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in a breast lift, call 210-227-3223 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Eric Schaffer. Our practice serves San Antonio, Austin, and surrounding areas in TX.