Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
What Is A Breast Lift?
There are many reasons that breasts may begin to lose their shape and firmness. Age, gravity, dramatic weight loss, or pregnancy and breastfeeding are just some. In these cases, patients may look to get a breast lift. A breast lift is a surgical procedure, also known as mastopexy, that lifts and reshapes sagging breasts in order to re-create or improve their former appearance.
Breast Lift Candidates
The ideal candidate for the breast lift procedure have 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 begun to point downwards. This candidate should be in good health with no illnesses that would negatively affect the body’s healing process after the procedure. Finally, most importantly, potential patients should have realistic expectations for the possible results the procedure will produce.
Breast Lift Consultation
The most important thing you should do once you have begun to seriously consider a breast lift procedure for yourself is to 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 in Dr. Schaffer’s keen aesthetic eyes to give you the results you desire.
Before your consultation, be prepared with a list of questions, as well as your medical history and lifestyle. This way, Dr. Schaffer can provide you with all of the relevant information to the breast lift as well as your expected results. During this consultation Dr. Schaffer and you will begin to discuss the best plan of action for getting the results you are wishing for. As no two women are exactly alike, keep an open mind in order to consider your Dr. Schaffer’s advice.
Breast Lift Procedure
A breast lift is an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia. The procedure usually takes 1 to 3 hours. Depending on the size and shape of the breasts, as well as the degree of sagging and amount of excess skin, Dr. Schaffer uses one of the following types of incisions:
- Two rings, one larger than the other, around the areola
- A keyhole shape, around the areola and down to the breast crease
- An anchor shape, beginning in the breast crease, and extending up to and around the areola
The first type of incision is used for small breasts and leaves the least amount of scarring. The third type is used for breasts with significant sagging. After the incisions are made, Dr. Schaffer removes the breast tissue and reshapes it 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 is to create a tighter appearance. Incisions are then closed with stitches.
Breast Lift Before & After
Recovery After Breast Lift Surgery
After breast lift surgery, patients are likely to have bruising, soreness and swelling. Dr. Schaffer will wrap the breasts in an elastic bandage or a surgical bra, which patients wear for about a week. A support bra is then worn continuously for a month. After 1 to 2 weeks Dr. Schaffer will remove stitches. Most patients return to work within a week. Patients should avoid exercise and other strenuous activity for about a month.
Breast augmentation with Lift
In certain cases, a breast lift alone is not enough. Patients that notice a decrease in breast size or were never happy with their breast size, to begin with, can choose to combine their 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 allows patients to only undergo one surgery and combine their recovery time, effectively shortening it. 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 T.
Breast Lift Financing
As the breast lift surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure, most are usually not covered by most insurance plans. Dr. Schaffer, however, can help you work with financing companies to help get the results you are looking for while being able to pay off the cost in manageable increments. Be sure to inquire about financing options with Dr. Schaffer during your consultation to best help you pay for this wonderful procedure.
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.
