Breast lift, mastopexy, lifts and repositions breast tissue, lifts the nipple areola, tightens the breast by removing excess skin, and reduces the areola size. Mastopexy sculpts the breasts into a youthful shape; breast volume is optimally distributed on the chest wall and in relation to the uplifted nipple.
Some patients have droopy breasts, called breast ptosis, at a young age and before pregnancy. Many Clareo patients in their early twenties have benefited from mastopexy. However, breast ptosis is more commonly associated with pregnancy, breast feeding, weight loss, and aging. Mastopexy will give a youthful breast shape regardless of the patient age or underlying contributing factors to ptosis. If you want to reclaim a youthful, perky, lifted bust, a breast lift may be the right option for you. This procedure can transform your breasts by lifting, reshaping, and tightening for a more firm, smooth, sculpted appearance. This procedure is safe and effective and provides gorgeous results.
Clareo Plastic Surgery is the premier practice for cosmetic surgery in Boston and the surrounding areas. We will take the time and effort to get to know you and your aesthetic needs and preferences in order to customize your procedure to the exact specifications needed for stunning results that you will be thrilled with for years to come. Dr. Tantillo and Dr. Lee lead a team of skilled aesthetic care professionals who are committed to giving patients the most outstanding breast lift experience possible.
Dr. Tantillo’s message to those considering breast lift: Oftentimes, patients come to the consultation believing that they “need” to have breasts of a certain size. Pretty breasts are much more about shape and figure balance than a particular bust size. When we consider “ideal” breasts across time and cultures, the ideal breast size varies a great deal, while the ideal shape is fairly consistent. Breast lift is an important operation to enhance a patient’s confidence, the necessary scars notwithstanding.
Dr. Lee’s message to those considering breast lift: The first thing I hone in on is what your goals really are for your breasts. Many women come to me thinking they need a breast augmentation when in reality, they are very happy with their volume, the problem is just the excess skin. Once that excess skin is gone, in many cases, the youthful cleavage and shape the patient once had is restored. On top of this, I can augment volume with a synthetic implant or fat from elsewhere on the body to get the desired result. There are so many options when it comes to breast surgery, and it is of the utmost importance that each patient has the entire menu to choose from and ample time to sit down preoperatively to decide what is best for them. My goal is to make sure you understand each and every option, each with different risks and benefits, in order to make the best decision for you!
What is a Breast Lift?
Our Boston breast lift, referred to medically as a mastopexy, is a breast enhancement procedure that sculpts the breasts into a youthful shape giving vitality to the breasts and figure. Mastopexy can address the effects of aging, weight loss, pregnancy, and breastfeeding as well as reshaping breasts that are naturally droopy.
A breast lift corrects breast sag, also known as breast ptosis, by raising the breasts to a more youthful and perky position while also reshaping and tightening them. Breast lift surgery can correct varying degrees of ptosis and may also be used to improve the shape and size of the areolas for a more flattering appearance. The techniques used in a breast lift will vary depending on the specific needs of the patient and their preferred end result. Different incisions and techniques can be used to achieve optimal aesthetic results. A breast lift can be combined with other procedures, including placing breast implants or breast reduction. Sometimes we will recommend reducing breast tissue in the lower and outer breasts while adding an implant in order to enhance the volume in the upper and inner parts of the breasts. Combining surgeries can mean fewer incisions and only a single recovery period instead of multiple.
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Breast lift surgery is a rewarding procedure for women in the Boston area who want to regain a more youthful breast shape and position. At different stages of life, the breasts may lose volume and become droopy. This can be due to weight fluctuations, pregnancy, or the aging process. These physical changes can alter the size and shape of your breasts - often leaving them less full and firm than you would like. We understand that each woman’s reasons for considering a breast lift are unique. Most of our patients’ goals for breast lift surgery include:
A breast lift will reposition your breast tissue and nipples upward and improve the upper portion of your breasts, but it will not increase your breast size. Women who want to achieve a fuller, more rounded look can combine a breast lift with breast augmentation. Others choose only breast augmentation to achieve the fuller look they desire. Our Clareo doctors will help you choose the right solution for you.
Am I a candidate for a Breast Lift?
To get the best results from a breast lift, ideal candidates for this procedure are women in generally good health who have adequate skin elasticity. Breast lifts can be combined with breast implants or fat transfer to enhance volume or performed with tissue removal to reduce volume (breast reduction). During your initial consultation for a breast lift Boston plastic surgeons at Clareo Plastic Surgery will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if breast lift surgery is right for you. In general, the best candidates for a breast lift are those who:
If you are planning on pregnancy in the near future, our plastic surgeons may recommend delaying surgery. That’s because your breast size fluctuates with pregnancy and breastfeeding, and this can affect your results. The same is true if you are planning on having weight loss surgery at some point after a breast lift. It’s best to wait until you are at a stable weight that is very near your goal weight before undergoing a breast lift.
A consultation will be just the beginning of your journey to elevated, youthful, restored breasts. Boston plastic surgeons, Dr. Tantillo and Dr. Lee, believe that taking the time to get to know their patients is the key to offering the most outstanding, safest, and most effective results.
With that in mind, your consultation will include time to discuss your aesthetic goals in detail, including your medical history, and address any questions or concerns you might have. Once we decide if a breast lift is the best option for you and customize a treatment plan, we will go over exactly what to expect and the specifics of how you’ll need to prepare for the surgery. We will also determine if any other procedures, such as breast augmentation or body sculpting, are something you’d like to include in your custom-tailored aesthetic plan. In addition, we may require certain lab work or health assessments to be done prior to your procedure.
Part of your breast lift consultation will include the revolutionary aid called Crisalix 3D Imaging. This outstanding technology allows us to show you what your results could look like without ever going under the knife or anesthesia. It allows us to fine-tune your preferred look before surgery even starts so we know the best way to tailor your procedure for optimal results and so you know what to expect.
Customizing Your Breast Lift
Your breast lift will be customized to address your anatomy and aesthetic concerns. At your initial consultation, your Clareo doctor will discuss the best approach to your procedure. Breast lifts can be performed using a variety of incision techniques or can be combined with other breast enhancement procedures. The different incision methods may be used alone or in combination with each other. The location and length of the incisions will vary from patient to patient; however, there is typically always an incision around the areola - which is made smaller when appropriate - and on the bottom of the breast. A few options for incisions include the following.
Different incisions are used for a variety of reasons, but always with the final result in mind. Your surgeon will discuss with you which incision to use for optimal aesthetic results. If your breast lift will be combined with another procedure, this may also help to determine exactly which incision is ideal.
The anchor incision includes an incision around the areola, a vertical incision from the areola to the breast crease, and a final incision along the breast crease itself. This technique works well for women who have moderate to severe breast sagging. Although the anchor approach is the most invasive, it is highly effective and provides very flattering results.
A lollipop incision, sometimes referred to as a keyhole incision, is similar to the anchor method because it includes an incision around the areola and down to the breast crease. The difference is that it does not include a horizontal incision under the breast. The lollipop technique is appropriate for women with mild to moderate sagging who want to minimize scarring.
Women who have large breasts with no or minimal breast sag are often good candidates for the circumareolar incision approach. This method is also called periareolar or a “donut” incision. This technique places incisions around the areola only. Because all of the wound closure tension is placed on the areolar incision, the incision can widen, particularly when combined with implant placement. Not everyone is a candidate for this technique, and it provides only mild lifting for a subtle result. However, for the right patient, it can be very beneficial.
While a breast lift on its own is very common and sometimes the only needed change, many patients and surgeons also decide to combine this procedure with other breast enhancement methods for a comprehensive and rejuvenating course of treatment. Performing multiple procedures simultaneously allows your surgeon to plan the different methods together for a more harmonious, blended result. It also means only one recovery time. For example, augmentation using implants or fat transfer can be combined with a breast lift to add to the fullness of the upper breast. Breast reduction can also be performed alongside a breast lift to sculpt the breast to an ideal size. Details on just a few of the possible complementary procedures are included below.
While a breast lift will effectively reshape and elevate sagging breasts, it will not increase the size of your breasts. If this is also desired, a breast lift can be combined with a breast augmentation. Augmentation can be performed using either a silicone or saline implant or by using a fat transfer technique where fat is liposuctioned from another part of the body and placed into the breast. A breast lift with implants can be effective together because the end goal for each is similar, incisions can be combined, and you will only need to go through one joint recovery period.
A breast reduction is performed when a woman is seeking a more proportional, smaller breast size. Often, very large breasts may sag over time, and a lift is needed as well. Most of the time, a small lift is performed during a reduction to reshape the breast and reposition the areola. A breast reduction with lift is an optimal way to bring breasts into proportion with the rest of the body and provide a rejuvenating lift at the same time.
In many cases, the breast lift procedure is combined with excess skin removal, especially in the case of weight loss or with a breast reduction. After the initial incisions are made, excess skin will be removed to ensure that the skin will be tight and firm once the breast is reshaped and stitches are placed. Excess skin removal will help correct the appearance of ptosis and accommodate any tissue removal in certain cases.
At Clareo Plastic Surgery, your breast lift surgery will be performed as an outpatient procedure, which means no overnight hospital stay is required. You will need to plan to have someone drive you to and from your appointment.
Breast lifts are performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, your Clareo doctor will place your incisions using either the anchor, lollipop, or circumareolar approach. Excess skin, fat, and tissue are removed, and the breasts and areolas are tightened and repositioned to a higher level on the chest wall. If breast implants are also included, they will be placed at this time using either artificial implants or fat transfer. This surgery typically lasts about 1-3 hours, depending on the extent of the lift and whether a combination of procedures will be performed. After your incisions are closed, you will be brought out of the anesthesia and most women are in recovery for 1-2 hours. Our staff will monitor you closely to ensure your safety before releasing you to go home with your support person.
After your breast lift, your incisions will be dressed with bandages, and instructions will be given for incision care. You will need someone to drive you home, and we typically recommend having someone around to help for about 24 hours until the anesthesia fully wears off. You will be required to wear a surgical support bra 24 hours a day, except when showering, for the first 3 to 4 weeks. At this point, a regular, soft bra can be worn, however, underwire bras should be avoided for at least six weeks. This garment will help your breasts conform to their new shape and assist with proper healing. In most cases, you do not need drains after a breast lift. Most women only require a mild over-the-counter pain medication after breast lift surgery and can perform most everyday tasks within 1-2 weeks.
You should plan to take it easy and get lots of rest for the first few days after surgery. Make sure you have someone who can help you out around the house with simple tasks. After about 1 to 2 weeks, you should be able to return to work if you have a non-physical office job. More strenuous activity should be limited until 3 to 4 weeks after surgery. After six weeks, you should be able to resume all normal activities, including your regular workout routine. Just be sure to ease back into your fitness regimen slowly and gradually to avoid injury and the risk of possibly compromising your results. You will immediately be able to see the improvements from your breast lift surgery. However, your final results will not be visible for the first few weeks until swelling and bruising resolve, which is usually in about 7 to 14 days. The scars from the incision areas will also appear prominent at first and then gradually thin and fade within the first year post-surgery. It is important to come to any scheduled follow-up appointments so we can ensure you are healing well and there are no unexpected complications. Most women enjoy the results of a breast lift for 10-15 years or even longer.
Why Choose Clareo Plastic Surgery?
At Clareo Plastic Surgery, we pride ourselves on not only our exceptional surgical and practical skills, but also the customized and sensitive patient care we provide. Our entire Clareo team believes that listening to the needs and preferences of our patients is just as important as expertise and training when it comes to ensuring positive outcomes. Clareo Plastic Surgery serves patients from all over the Boston area, including Needham, Newton Brookline, and more.
Schedule online now or call us today at (617) 505-6818 and take the first step to elevate your bustline!
This procedure is considered very safe and is routinely performed. Possible risks include those that might occur with any surgery such as swelling, infection, or temporary loss of sensation. Seeing a certified plastic surgeon significantly reduces the chances of any possible adverse outcomes.
Yes, you will need someone to drive you home and assist you for about 24 hours until the anesthesia fully wears off.
Most patients resume most day-to-day activities within about 1-2 weeks after surgery. However, heavy cardio and upper body workouts should be avoided for four weeks.
Scars from a breast lift will appear raised and red initially after surgery, but they should smooth out and fade to a color very close to the surrounding skin. Because of where incisions are made, clothing, including swimwear, will always cover your breast lift scars.
Slightly elevated and on your back is the best sleeping position to avoid unnecessary pressure on incision areas while healing. For this reason, we recommend sleeping in this position for 2-4 weeks after surgery.
Yes, a specialized bra should be worn at all times, except for bathing, for about 3-4 weeks.
For most women, the results of a breast lift typically last 10-15 years before they feel a revision is needed, depending on the aging process and their preferences.
While post-pregnancy is a common time for women to have a breast lift, many women do so before having children. A breast lift may be the ideal solution for women who want more perky, firm breasts at any age.
No, just like with any surgical procedure, a breast lift is not safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Most women find that it is still possible to breastfeed after a breast lift since the incisions do not affect breastfeeding function. However, we recommend waiting until after your final pregnancy to undergo this surgery since pregnancy and breastfeeding can reverse the results of a breast lift.
It is common to experience some changes - either heightened or reduced - to nipple sensitivity after breast lift surgery. However, it usually resolves after a few months.
The cost of breast lift varies from patient to patient, and is dependent on facility and technique, including any breast implants or liposuction prior to fat transfer. Discuss all costs with our staff during your consultation.
In most cases, this procedure is considered cosmetic and is not covered by medical insurance. Ask us about our financing options.
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At Clareo Plastic Surgery, our cosmetic specialists are ready to help you achieve your goals with the most advanced treatments the cosmetic industry has to offer. Contact us today to take your first step toward a more beautiful you.
