Breast Lift

What is a Breast Lift?

As a woman grows older, several factors including pregnancy, nursing, the force of gravity, or weight gain and loss may cause her breasts to sag. A surgical procedure called mastopexy, or breast lift, can raise and reshape sagging breasts and reduce the size of the areola (the darker skin around the nipple). Of course, no surgery can delay the effects of gravity forever, but mastopexy may be able to give you the enhanced appearance you’re looking for.

The breast lift procedure offers the following benefits:

• A more youthful breast appearance
• Improved nipple projection
• Enhanced overall breast contour

Who can Benefit from a Breast Lift?

Most women who seek a breast lift are dissatisfied with how their breasts look after pregnancy and nursing. Their skin has stretched, and they may have decreased breast volume or enlarged areolas. You will likely be most pleased with the results of this procedure if you are in good physical and emotional health, have small, sagging breasts (The operation can be performed on breasts of any size, but the results may not last as long in women with heavy breasts), and do not plan to have more children (While a breast lift shouldn’t interfere with future pregnancies, your breasts will likely stretch if you become pregnant. Most women choose to postpone their breast lift until they are finished having children).

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Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery

The breast lift procedure offers the following benefits:

• A more youthful breast appearance
• Improved nipple projection
• Enhanced overall breast contour

Who is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?

Most women who seek a breast lift are dissatisfied with how their breasts look after pregnancy and nursing. Their skin has stretched, and they may have decreased breast volume or enlarged areolas. You will likely be most pleased with the results of this procedure if you are in good physical and emotional health, have small, sagging breasts (The operation can be performed on breasts of any size, but the results may not last as long in women with heavy breasts), and do not plan to have more children (While a breast lift shouldn’t interfere with future pregnancies, your breasts will likely stretch if you become pregnant. Most women choose to postpone their breast lift until they are finished having children).

Common Reasons Women Consider a Breast Lift

The reasons women consider a breast lift are as different as the women themselves. That said, some reasons are more common than others. Many women consider this cosmetic surgery because their breasts have lost shape or position due to age, pregnancy, or weight loss. Many of our breast lift patients are also looking for a more youthful breast contour, want to address breast asymmetry, or are struggling with sagging breasts.

Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation: Which Is Right for You?

Many of our patients come to us wondering if a breast lift or breast augmentation with breast implants is right for them. It all depends on the results you’re looking for. For patients wanting to enhance the size of their breasts, breast augmentation is the perfect solution. If you are struggling with sagging or deflated breasts, a breast lift is often the right option. If you’re dealing with small breasts and sagging, we can easily combine the two procedures together for the ultimate breast rejuvenation.

The Procedure

The most common mastopexy technique involves removing a section of skin above the nipple and moving the nipple up into this new location. Excess skin and tissue will be removed through one of three incisions, including:

• Crescent incision: Created around the areola.
• Peri-areolar incision: Made around the areola and vertically down to the breast crease.
• Vertical incision: Created around the areola, down to the breast crease, and then horizontally along the crease of the breast.

If you’re having breast augmentation at the same time as your breast lift, the doctor will also place an implant under your breast tissue and/or under your chest muscles. This procedure takes two to three hours and is typically performed on an outpatient basis.

Different Breast Lift Techniques Explained

The type of breast lift technique used during your breast lift surgery will depend on the results you’re looking for and the level of sagging. The techniques include the following:

Crescent Lift

For women with a small amount of sagging, a crescent lift is likely the perfect solution. With this technique, a small incision is made halfway around the edge of the areola. From there, your plastic surgeon will address excess tissue and skin and give you the perkier breasts you’re looking for.

Donut Lift

If you’re struggling with mild to moderate sagging, a donut lift may be a better option. With a donut lift, an incision will be made around the edge of the whole areola, and from there, your surgeon will address sagging and excess skin. This technique is also done to reduce the areola size.

Lollipop Lift

If you have a moderate amount of excess skin and want to reshape the breast without obvious scarring, a lollipop lift is perfect. The incision is around the areola and down to the breast crease. With these incisions, your surgeon can remove a large amount of excess skin and give you the uplifted appearance you’re looking for.

Anchor Lift

If you have considerable or severe sagging, an anchor lift will likely give you the best results. It includes three incisions; one around the areaola, one to the breast crease, and another along the breast crease. This technique is often used with a breast reduction and breast lift.

Breast Lift Recovery

Your breasts will probably be swollen and sore for a few days following your surgery, but your discomfort can be managed with oral pain relievers. Right after surgery, you’ll wear a surgical bra over gauze dressings which will decrease swelling. After a few days, you’ll begin wearing a soft support bra, which you’ll wear continuously for the next two to four weeks. The doctor will remove your sutures after a week or two. You should be able to return to work after a week or so, but you should continue to take it easy for about a month. After that, you can gradually resume your regular routine.

When Will I See My Breast Lift Results?

While you may see some results immediately, swelling and bruising that come after the procedure will likely hide most of your improvements. As you heal in the days and weeks following the procedure, you will start to see your results. It can take up to 8 weeks to see more significant results. During your consultation and follow-up appointments, your surgeon will walk you through when you can expect to see your final results.

How to Minimize Scarring From a Breast Lift

As with any procedure, a breast lift will have some scarring. While your plastic surgeon will hide the incision sites as best they can, scarring will still be visible in the first months after your surgery. To ensure your scars are as minimal as possible, you’ll want to stick to all your aftercare instructions. This means avoiding excess sun exposure, strenuous activities, smoking, and blood thinners. It can also mean using silicone scar sheets, moisturizing regularly, and gently massaging the scar tissue.

Does Insurance Cover Breast Lift Surgery?

Unfortunately, insurance doesn’t typically cover breast lift surgery. More often than not, a breast lift is considered an elective surgery and not medically necessary. That said, if your sagging breasts are causing your severe pain and discomfort or if your breast lift is part of reconstructive plastic surgery after breast cancer, a breast lift may be covered. It is important to check with your insurance provider.

Meet Our Breast Lift Surgeons in Grand Rapids

At Plastic Surgery Associates, our providers are the very best in plastic surgery and have years of experience providing breast lifts to patients in Grands Rapids and the surrounding areas. All our surgeons are board-certified, meaning they went through strenuous training and testing to get to the level they are at. They also teach current and future surgeons at the Grand Rapids Medical Education & Research Center for Health Professions (GRMERC) Plastic Surgical Residency.

When you choose Plastic Surgery Associates, you are choosing the premier plastic surgery office in Michigan.

Breast Lift

Patient Story

“The entire process was wonderful. The staff and Dr. Renucci truly care about their patients. I had a tummy tuck, liposuction to my flanks, and a breast lift. I am beyond pleased with my outcome.”

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State of the art Surgical Facility

Our operating facility is conveniently located on the sixth floor of the Exhibitor’s Building adjacent to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our surgical facility is accredited by the AAAHC, or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. This association is committed to improving quality care provided to patients by reviewing standards, performance, and safety of our facility.

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Contact Us Today

For more information about the breast lift procedure and candidacy, give our Grand Rapids, MI office a call today. Our skilled and knowledgeable team will be happy to schedule your consultation to get started.

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