Breast Lift Surgery

Breast lifts are involved surgical procedures. There are the usual risks involved with any surgery: poor wound healing, infection, excessive bleeding, reaction to general anesthesia, and the like. For the breast lift, there is a risk of loss of nipple and/or breast sensation, as the nipples usually are moved. This usually passes as the nerves adjust over time. If you’ve opted to have augmentation, this doesn’t add any additional risk to the surgery.

This is because the incisions are already made, and Dr. Young can insert the implants through those incisions. There are the later risks of augmentation that include capsular contracture, implant rupture, and rippling, but those are long-term risks and are not related to the surgery.

Breast lift surgery with Dr. Young is major surgery, so you’ll need to prepare as you would with any surgery. We will have you stop taking any blood-thinning medications, aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, and most herbal supplements one week prior to your surgery. These can all cause increased bleeding, which also leads to increased bruising and swelling. If you’re a smoker, you’ll need to stop for two weeks prior to and following your surgery, as smoking constricts the blood vessels, and this impedes healing. We advise our breast lift patients to plan for their recovery when thinking about necessary preparations.

Scarring will be a part of these procedures, as the incisions are somewhat lengthy. But you’ll be surprised at how they fade with time. The anchor incision will create the most scarring, as you would assume. The best advice for managing or attempting to minimize the appearance of your scars is to leave the silicone wound dressings in place until Dr. Young removes them at your follow-up. Also, always wearing your surgical bra and then your support bra during the first 4-6 weeks is critical. This eliminates any pressure on your incisions, which keeps the scars as narrow as possible.

It also helps eliminate some of the redness. Topical scar-minimizing treatments keep the area moisturized and help to minimize the appearance of the scars. SkinMedica makes one such product called Scar Recovery Gel with Centelline. Lightly massaging your scars can help them heal more smoothly. But you cannot do this too early and put stress on your incisions. Ask Dr. Young when massage could be appropriate, along with the proper technique.

No. Breast reduction downsizes and firms up overly large natural breasts. A breast reduction is a similar procedure to a breast lift, but a reduction removes breast tissue in addition to loose sagging skin. You can think of a breast reduction as achieving the same results as a breast lift while also downsizing the breasts.

The cost of a breast lift varies according to a patient’s needs and desired end results. Additional costs, such as anesthesia and hospital fees, will also influence the final price. Dr. Young takes pride in offering affordable surgery to all of his patients, and he will be happy to provide you with a total cost of a breast left after your consultation.

On average, the results from a breast lift can last between 10 and 15 years. However, lifestyle choices and genetics play a role in the longevity of your results. Weight fluctuations and pregnancy can affect the results, so it is important to both maintain a healthy weight and complete your family planning prior to having a breast lift. Rapid weight gain and loss may result in premature sagging, even after a lift.

While it is possible to tighten the muscles underneath your chest, it is not possible to lift your breasts non-surgically. You can, however, do things to ward off sagging, which include maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.

There are also many supportive bras that can give an elevated appearance to your breasts; to restore a natural lift and shape of your breasts, plastic surgery is necessary.

If your breasts start to sag, it is impossible to have a revision breast lift. Dr. Young will assess your breasts and discuss all of your options to help lift your breasts.