BREAST LIFT (Mastopexy)
BEFORE AND AFTERS
Breast lifts are important to many women. Often, this will improve the ability to wear more fashionable clothing, improve body image, and significantly enhance confidence. The breastlift or mastopexy is frequently accompanied by placement of breast implants.
BREAST LIFT SURGERY CONSULTATION
At the initial consultation for breastlift surgery, a pertinent medical and family history will be taken, with particular emphasis on breast issues. Dr. Vogt or Dr. Ness and their nursing staff will then meet with you and explain the surgical procedure in a personalized fashion. All efforts will be made to answer all of the questions you may have regarding breastlift surgery.
THE BREAST LIFT AND IMPLANT
The breastlift may be able to be performed through an incision around the areola (the pigmented portion around the nipple). This can be utilized in very small breastlifts. In other instances, Dr. Vogt prefers to use a form of anchor breastlift in which there is an incision around the areola, a vertical incision from the areola to the breast crease, and a scar that may be variable in length in the crease itself. Dr. Ness will discuss the options of the anchor style lift or a concentric lift where the incision is kept around the colored portion of the nipple area. These scars are very well accepted and very well hidden in most instances after the initial healing phase. The patient may have a choice in the utilization of either saline-filled- or silicone-gel filled implants with the breastlift procedure. Drs. Vogt and Ness prefer to place the implant completely behind the pectoralis muscle so that there is additional cover to protect the patient from loss of the implant. We prefer to use a round implant with either a moderate- or high-profile to get a nice projection of the lifted breast. The style of implant depends on multiple factors that will be determined at the time of the consultation and physical examination. The breastlift surgical procedure requires approximately five hours of preoperative planning, operating time, and recovery. During the preoperative phase, the patient will meet with their surgeon and a nurse to ensure that all questions are answered before proceeding with the surgery. The patient will also have the opportunity to re-size with implants and confirm her selection if implants are to be used. The board-certified medical doctor anesthesiologist (MDA) at Wayzata Plastic Surgery will then meet with the patient and discuss the type of anesthetic that will be utilized to provide the greatest degree of comfort and safety. After the breast lift surgery, the patient is transferred to the Recovery Room in the care of a registered nurse who has Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training.
THE DAY OF BREASTLIFT SURGERY
The breastlift surgical procedure requires approximately five hours of preoperative planning, operating time, and recovery. During the preoperative phase, the patient will meet with their surgeon and a nurse to ensure that all questions are answered before proceeding with the surgery. The patient will also have the opportunity to re-size with implants and confirm her selection if implants are to be used. The board-certified medical doctor anesthesiologists (MDAs) at the Plastic Surgery Center will then meet with the patient and discuss the type of anesthetic that will be utilized to provide the greatest degree of comfort and safety. After the breast enlargement surgery, the patient is transferred to the Recovery Room in the care of a registered nurse who has Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training.
THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD FOLLOWING BREASTLIFT SURGERY
A responsible adult must be available to transport the patient following surgery and also be available for the first 24 hours to assist the patient getting up to the bathroom, taking medications, and eating and drinking. A detailed set of instructions will accompany the patient and the Recovery Room nursing staff will review all of these instructions carefully. A nurse from WPS will call the patient the evening of the surgery to check her status and answer questions. If any questions or concerns arise outside of our normal business hours, our answering service will be able to contact Dr. Vogt for you. You will need to return to the office for recheck appointment within the first 24 hours after your procedure to be sure that there is no loss of blood supply to the nipple and areolar complex, and that there is no buildup of blood behind the breast. Also, if drains have been utilized at the time of the surgical procedure, these may be removed at that visit. The next visit will be approximately 5-7 days after the surgery. You will not be allowed to wear a bra for at least one week following the surgery to prevent any pressure on the blood vessels providing nutrients to the breast.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information on breast augmentation, breast implants, stories and real experiences visit:
Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants Information
American Society of Plastic Surgeons