Breast Lift in Washington, DC

Introduction

Breast lift (mastopexy) is a procedure to remove ptosis (drooping) and restore projection to a woman’s breasts. Candidates may be women who have lost breast projection and or size after pregnancy or breastfeeding. Other women may not have had children but just have a desire to restore their breasts to a more youthful contour.

The Best Candidates for a Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A breast lift can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it will not necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Baker.

The best candidates for mastopexy are healthy women who are realistic about what the surgery can accomplish. The best results are usually achieved in women with small, sagging breasts. Breasts of any size can be lifted, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts.

Many women seek mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing have left them with stretched skin and less volume in their breasts. However, if you are planning to have more children, it may be a good idea to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually does not interfere with breast-feeding), pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again and offset the results of the procedure.

Breast lift surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

A Breast Lift May Be Right For You If:

• You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight
• You do not smoke
• You have realistic expectations
• You are bothered by the fact that your breasts sag or have lost shape and volume
• Your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous
• When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease
• Your nipples and areolas point downward
• You have stretched skin and enlarged areolas
• One breast is lower than the other

Evaluation

In your initial consultation, it’s important to discuss your expectations frankly with Dr. Baker and to listen to his opinion. Every patient and physician have a different view of what is a desirable size and shape for breasts.

Dr. Baker will examine your breasts and measure them while you are sitting or standing. He will discuss the variables that may affect the procedure such as your age, the size and shape of your breasts, and the condition of your skin, and whether an implant is advisable. You should also discuss where the nipple and areola will be positioned; they will be moved higher during the procedure and should be approximately even with the crease beneath your breast.

Dr. Baker will describe the procedure in detail, explaining its risks and limitations and making sure you understand the scarring that will result. He will also explain the anesthesia to be used, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and how much your breast lift will cost. Do not hesitate to ask Dr. Baker any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.

What is a Breast Lift (Mastopexy)?

Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman’s breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts–at least, for a time (no surgery can permanently delay the effects of gravity). Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume–for example, after pregnancy–combining a lift with breast augmentation can enhance both firmness and size.

Mastopexy usually takes one and a half to three and a half hours. Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast. The incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to a higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to reshape the breast. Stitches are usually located around the areola, in a vertical line extending downwards from the nipple area, and along the lower crease of the breast.

Some patients, especially those with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions. One such procedure is the doughnut (or concentric) mastopexy, in which circular incisions are made around the areola, and a doughnut-shaped area of skin is removed. If you are having an implant inserted along with your breast lift, it will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue, or deeper, under the muscle of the chest wall.

If you are considering a breast lift, Dr. Baker’s web site will give you a basic understanding of the procedure–when it can help, how it is performed, and what results you can expect. It cannot answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask Dr. Baker if there is anything about the procedure you don’t understand.

Preparing for Your Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Depending on your age and family history, Dr. Baker may require you to have a mammogram before surgery. You will also get specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. While you are making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days if needed.

Whether Dr. Baker performs your breast lift at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital (Washington D.C.), Inova Fairfax Hospital (Falls Church, VA), or an ambulatory surgical facility (McLean, VA), you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two.

Anesthesia

Breast lifts are usually performed under general anesthesia, which means you will sleep through the operation. In selected patients–particularly when a smaller incision is being made—Dr. Baker may use local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You will be awake but relaxed and will feel minimal discomfort. Your breast lift may be performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center. Breast lift surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis for cost containment and convenience.

Breast Lift Risks and Complications

A breast lift is not a simple operation, but it is normally safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there is always a possibility of complications or a reaction to the anesthesia. Bleeding and infection following a breast lift are uncommon, but they can cause scars to widen. You can reduce your risks by closely following Dr. Baker’s advice both before and after surgery.

Mastopexy does leave noticeable, permanent scars, although they’ll be covered by your bra or bathing suit. Poor healing and wider scars are more common in smokers. The procedure can also leave you with unevenly positioned nipples, or a permanent loss of feeling in your nipples or breasts.

Immediately following your surgery

After surgery, you will wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn’t be severe. Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved with medications prescribed by your surgeon.

Within a few days, the bandages or surgical bra will be replaced by a soft support bra. You will need to wear this bra around the clock for three to four weeks, over a layer of gauze. The stitches will be removed after a week or two.

If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day. Be careful not to tug at your skin in the process, and keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas.

You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by the swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. In some patients, however, it may last a year or more, and occasionally it may be permanent.

Breast Lift Recovery

Healing is a gradual process. Although you may be up and about in a day or two, do not plan on returning to work for a week or more, depending on how you feel. Avoid lifting anything over your head for three to four weeks. If you have any unusual symptoms, do not hesitate to call Dr. Baker.

Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions for resuming your normal activities. You may be instructed to avoid sex for a week or more and to avoid strenuous sports for about a month. After that, you can resume these activities slowly. If you become pregnant, the operation should not affect your ability to breastfeed, since your milk ducts and nipples will be left intact.

Your New Look

Dr. Baker will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible. Still, it is important to remember that mastopexy scars are extensive and permanent. They often remain lumpy and red for months, then gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually fading to thin white lines. Fortunately, the scars can usually be placed so that you can wear even low-cut tops.

You should also keep in mind that a breast lift will not keep you firm forever–the effects of gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight fluctuations will eventually take their toll again. Women who have implants along with their breast lift may find the results last longer. Your satisfaction with a breast lift is likely to be greater if you understand the procedure thoroughly and if your expectations are realistic.