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Breast Lift Surgery

Breast Lift - Mastopexy

As a woman’s breasts tend to change over time – losing their youthful shape and firmness, due to pregnancy and breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, aging, and some hereditary issues – some may choose to enhance their appearance with a breast lift.

A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a surgical process that raises, reshapes, and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is youthful and uplifted.

Breast lift surgery is a highly individualized procedure that may be a good option if you are bothered that your breasts sag or have lost shape and volume; your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous; your nipples point downward or fall below the breast crease; you have stretched skin and enlarged areolas; or if one breast is lower than the other.

Note: Success in breast lift surgery is greater if you are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight, you do not smoke, and you have realistic expectations for your surgery and potential outcomes. Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts. If you wish your breasts to look fuller, consider breast lift and augmentation (link) surgery as well.

The Initial Consultation

The success of your mastopexy procedure depends on the quality of your participation in the initial consultation. You will need to be prepared to discuss why you want breast lift surgery, your personal medical history, drug allergies, use of medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs, and any family history of breast cancer, as well as the results of any mammograms or previous biopsies.
Dr. Cohn will perform a physical examination and take detailed measurements of your individual physical attributes, as well as note breast asymmetry that may need to be addressed at the time of your procedure. Photographs will be taken for your medical record. At that point, Dr. Cohn will be prepared to discuss your surgical options, recommend a course of treatment, and discuss the use of anesthesia during your mastopexy. The consultation consists of a thorough discussion to get a sense of what an anticipated final appearance might look like. Dr. Cohn is happy to assist with recommendations while using your personal goals to guide final decision making.

Preparing for Breast Lift Surgery

Before breast lift surgery, Dr. Cohn will discuss where your procedure will be performed – an accredited, office-based surgical center, outpatient / ambulatory surgical center, or in a hospital. Prior to your surgery, you may be asked to get lab testing or a medical evaluation, receive a prescription for certain medications or adjust your current medications, get a baseline mammogram (before and after surgery), stop smoking, or avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding. Some special instructions you receive will cover what to do on the day of surgery as well as post-operative care and follow-up.

Breast Lift Procedure

Your breast lift surgery can be performed through a variety of incision patterns and techniques. The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on your breast size and shape, the size and position of your areolas, the degree of breast sagging, the skin quality and elasticity (as well as the amount of extra skin you may have).

  • I. The breast lift surgery begins with anesthesia, where intravenous sedation or general anesthesia will be provided. Dr. Cohn will recommend the best choice for your surgery.
  • II. After the anesthesia has taken effect, incisions are made. There are three common incision patterns.
    • a. Around the areola alone.
    • b. Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease.
    • c. Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease.
  • III. After Dr. Cohn makes the incisions, the underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness. The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height. If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter. Excess breast skin is then removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.
  • IV. After the reshaping is complete, the incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue, as well as with sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape over the skin. You’ll need to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect after breast lift surgery.

Potential Risks and Complications

The decision to have breast lift surgery is extremely personal and not without risk. Dr. Cohn will fully review and explain the risks associated with your surgery. After you fully understand the procedure, you will be asked to sign consent forms.

Note: Breast lift surgery can occasionally interfere with some diagnostic procedural interpretation, but the procedure does not interfere with the ability to obtain regular mammograms. If you are planning on becoming pregnant following surgery, your breast skin may re-stretch and offset the results of your breast lift surgery. You may also have an increased risk of incurring difficulty during breastfeeding after a breast lift operation. Dr. Cohn will discuss these risks with you in further detail at the time of your consultation.

Recovery for Breast Lift Surgery

Prior to surgery, you will be given specific instructions about how to care for your breasts following surgery.

Although many factors are involved in your recovery time, you will likely experience an initial post-surgical recovery period of a few days. You may also require a reduced-activity period of a few days. During recovery, you will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks. Exercise and normal activity can resume at Dr. Cohn’s direction.

Following all of Dr. Cohn’s post-surgery instructions is crucial to the success of your surgery. Surgical incisions should not be subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during healing. Dr. Cohn will give you specific instructions on how to care for your incisions following your surgery, which medications to take, how to reduce the risk of infection, and when to make a follow-up appointment.

It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with Dr. Cohn and his staff.

Birmingham Breast Lift Costs

The cost of breast lift surgery, as with any elective surgical procedure, is a consideration for many patients. Costs may include a surgeon’s fee, hospital or surgical facility costs, anesthesia fees, prescriptions for medications, post-surgical garments, and any associated medical tests. Cohn Plastic Surgery proudly offers patient financing plans, so be sure to ask if such a plan is of interest to you.

For more information about the breast lift surgery in Birmingham, we invite you to call us at (205) 930-1600 – Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm – to schedule an appointment. You may also use the Contact Form page to send us a message.