Breast lift surgery, technically known as mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts to a more youthful appearance. You can choose to add volume as well.
You can look as youthful as you feel. You don’t have to settle for your grandmother’s figure. Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Bartell, a board-certified plastic surgeon, and put a bounce back in your step.
Best Candidates for Breast Lift Surgery
The best candidates for breast lift surgery are healthy and maintain a relatively stable weight, but have lost firmness, support and often volume in their breasts. While mastopexy can enhance your appearance and boost your self-confidence, you may not be able to achieve your ideal image.
The best way to know if breast lift surgery is right for you is to schedule a free consultation. Dr. Bartell will discuss your needs and options, explain the procedure in more detail, and share breast lift before and after pictures from his practice. He can also provide a quote for the breast lift surgery procedure.
Potential Risks of Breast Lift Surgery
Thousands of mastopexy procedures are performed successfully every year. Modern techniques are very safe and usually result in a happy patient.
Complications are rare, but you should know the risks before surgery:
- Bleeding or infection. Possible in any surgery, but extremely unusual.
- Hematoma. A collection of blood under the skin that must be aspirated with a needle.
- Scars. Sometimes a prominent scar will require additional surgery.
- Poor skin healing. Sometimes seen in patients who smoke or have diabetes.
- Most patients experience bruising and swelling. The scars are a little red initially, but are well hidden and should fade with time.
Please feel free to talk with Dr. Bartell about any concerns. One of the best ways to decrease your risk is to choose a surgeon who is highly experienced in performing breast lift surgery and is a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Bartell.
Planning for Your Breast Lift Surgery
A breast lift consultation with Dr. Bartell, a board-certified plastic surgeon, is free. There’s no obligation.
At your free consultation, Dr. Bartell will listen to your concerns, describe the procedure, and show you numerous breast lift before and after photographs of previous patients. You will receive a firm quote for the breast lift procedure, which includes all associated fees. Information on financing is also available.
If you decide to have mastopexy, Dr. Bartell will meet with you to perform a history and physical examination. Be sure to inform Dr. Bartell if you:
- Have allergies
- Take any medications (prescription or over-the-counter)
- Smoke
Dr. Bartell will give you prescriptions for any medications you may need before and after the surgery. You will receive a printed set of pre- and postoperative instructions. These will prepare you for what you should before your surgery, what to have on hand at home for afterward, and what to do on the day of your surgery. Dr. Bartell will review these instructions with you, but it’s important to read these instructions carefully on your own and keep them accessible for easy reference.
The Breast Lift Surgery
Mastopexy is performed using a general anesthetic, so you’ll sleep through the entire operation. Surgery usually lasts about three hours. Dr. Bartell makes incisions around the areolas and elevates the nipples back to a youthful level. He removes skin below and creates a “sling” to hold the breast in its new location. If volume restoration is desired, he will insert a small saline implant underneath the breast or chest wall (pectoral) muscle. Sutures are usually located around the areola in a vertical line extending downward from the nipple area and along the lower crease of the breast. A light elastic bandage around the chest area completes the operation.
You will need to arrange a ride home from the surgery center. Make sure you have someone stay with you for at least 24 hours.
Dr. Bartell performs most breast lift surgeries at his Madison office. Take a tour of Dr. Bartell’s fully accredited, private surgery suite and meet his topnotch surgical support team.
After Breast Lift Surgery
You will wear the elastic bandage for about a week. At that point, sutures and drains will be removed. Most patients are swollen and bruised, so you won’t see the results from the breast lift for a few weeks. While there is some pain following surgery, most patients can be back at work within 5 to 7 days. It takes much longer–usually several months– for the final outcome to become apparent.
Almost all patients are extremely pleased with their decision to undergo breast lift surgery. Your decision is a highly personal one that not everyone will understand. The important thing is how you feel about it. If the results meet your goals, then your surgery is truly a success.