Breast lift (mastopexy)

Breast Lift Photos (Before and After) / Breast lift video

“See what else I am saying about mastopexy on my blog”

Plastic surgery of sagging breasts is called mastopexy or breast uplift or breast lift.  Breast implants can be added for further breast enhancement.

Where are the scars for a breast lift?

One of three basic breast lift scar patterns is chosen:

• Circumareolar (scar around the areola of the nipple)
• lollipop (scar around the areola and vertically on the breast beneath the nipple)
  

  

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• Anchor or inverted “T” scar (lollipop scar plus a horizontal scar beneath the breast).
  

  

The technique used is tailored to the individual patient depending upon the degree of breast droop and skin excess.

The breast scars associated with a breast lift can be significant and must be completely understood by the patient prior to proceeding with surgery.  Successful, aesthetically pleasing results depend largely upon the artistry and skill of the surgeon.  An artist himself, Dr. Yates prides himself on obtaining excellent results, serving the Salt Lake City, Utah area.  Dr Yates will discuss the most pleasing scar pattern at the time of your consultation.

I am planning on having breast augmentation, how do I know if I need a breast lift?

Patients fit into three categories 1) “need” a lift, 2) would benefit from, but don’t “need” a lift, or 3) don’t need a lift.

Those patients that “need” a lift would get a poor result with augmentation alone (the breasts would appear to be “slipping off” the implant).  Those in category (2) may benefit from a lift for “optimal” aesthetics, however the scars to achieve the lift may or may not be an acceptable trade-off for the patient.  With 3D imaging, there is now an exciting way for the patient to visualize this change with implants alone to help them determine for themselves whether they really want a lift.

Dr. Yates is excited to announce that as of Jan 2010, 3D imaging is available in our office.

Are breast implants always used?

Breast implants can be used in addition to breast lift to help achieve more breast fullness.  You should only have breast implants if you would like increase the size of your breasts.

There is a myth that the only way to achieve fullness of the upper breasts is to add an implant.  That is true with “skin only” lift procedures.  Deep breast tissue rearrangement and reshaping can result in significant addition of fullness using the patients own breast tissue.

Can a breast uplift improve asymmetric breasts?

Breast lift can be designed to treat asymmetric breasts.  Breast lift is a very artistic procedure and each breast is treated separately

Where does Dr. Yates perform breast lifts?

Breast lifts can be performed under general anesthesia in an outpatient operating suite or local anesthesia with deep sedation in Dr. Yates AAAASF certified clinic operating room. Generally patients choose the latter for financial reasons. A board certified anesthesiologist administers the anesthesia for a breast lift at either location. Dr. Yates strongly believes that this is important both for patient safety and comfort.

How much pain should I expect from a breast lift?

Pain and possibly nausea can be significant for the first few days after a breast lift. To minimize this pain, long lasting numbing medication/ pain medication is placed in the site of the operation during the procedure.  This helps alleviate much of the pain for the first evening following the procedure, which is generally when the discomfort is most significant. You will be given medications for pain and nausea for the next several days.

When can I return to work or the gym after a breast lift?

What risks are associated with breast lifts?