Mastopexy (Breast Lift) in Chicago
What is Mastopexy Surgery?
As a woman ages, due to both intrinsic as well as extrinsic causes, her breasts will often droop and appear to rest at a lower position on her chest. This can be apparent both on frontal views as well as profile views. A breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgical procedure that can restore two facets – shape and position – that contributes significantly to breast beauty. It can also change the size, shape and position of the areolas to make them look more youthful and attractive.
Superior Breast Lift Approach
I believe that the best result in cosmetic surgery is one that looks natural, is long-lasting and is tailored to your physical traits and your desires. This is achieved through the judicious use of both minimally invasive as well as surgical procedures, depending on your needs and your wishes. My main goal is simple: I want to make you happy.
In regards to breast lifts, the procedure is done to address as many of the different variables that contributes to a droopy breast. Since the tradeoff is a scar, I try whenever possible to perform the procedure through a vertical mastopexy (modified LeJour technique) that leaves a vertical scar. This allows me to achieve the most beautiful breast shape possible: a breast that has as few scars on the skin as possible, that projects and is perky, and will maintain its new shape and position for many years. For those patients that are nor candidates for a vertical mastopexy (or short-scar procedure), I perform a procedure that has been modified to provide patients with the shape-enhancing benefits of a vertical mastopexy, and ensure that the scars will be positioned in a way to minimize their visibility.
To view results from previous Chicago breast lift patients, visit our breast lift before and after photo gallery.
Breast Lift Surgery Benefits
The main goal is to re-position and reshape the breasts (the skin, the breast tissue, and the nipple/areola) to provide a shapely, conical, projecting and aesthetically proportionate appearance. Women desire breast lifts for many different reasons. Some women have always had droopier breasts; others have experienced more droop as they have aged or after pregnancies or breast-feeding. In some women, the breast tissue has fallen but the nipple is in a good position. In other women, all the landmarks of the breast have fallen. There are many techniques that Dr. Galiano will choose from in order to address your particular situation. Your breasts will be fuller, shapelier and positioned in a manner that better suits your frame. In addition, your nipples and areolae will appear smaller, more defined and more youthful-appearing. You may experience a heightened sense of self-esteem and confidence as well.
Are You A Good Candidate For A Breast Lift?
In general, if you are over 18 years of age and are in good health you are likely an excellent candidate for a breast lift/mastopexy. If you have lost a significant amount of breast tissue and wish to have more volume in your breast, for example after weight loss or pregnancy, you may also benefit from an augmentation-mastopexy surgery, which includes both a breast lift and a breast augmentation. Dr. Galiano will discuss this with you at your consultation. If you are obese, in poor health, are still nursing or have breast health issues then you are probably not a good candidate for a breast lift/mastopexy.
What to Expect During Your Consultation?
If you are considering a breast lift, you will need to meet with Dr. Galiano. During the consultation, you will be able to share your reasons for wanting breast surgery; for many women, this may be to improve the shape of the breast after pregnancy and breastfeeding or correct tubular breasts. Dr. Galiano welcomes you to bring questions to your breast lift consultation. You will also need to be prepared to discuss other factors related to your health, such as any current medications you take, previous surgeries, your family history, and the results of any mammograms.
Dr. Galiano will conduct a breast examination, measure your breasts and nipples, take pictures, and evaluate the quality of your skin. Your medical history and cosmetic goals will be used to compose a tailored treatment plan.
Preparing for Breast Lift
After your consultation, you will need to begin preparing for your for breast lift, which may include the following actions:
- Lab testing
- Adjusting your medications
- Starting new medications
- Quit smoking
- Avoiding anti-inflammatory drugs and certain herbal supplements
After your surgery, you will need to prioritize rest and avoid strenuous activity, so it is important to plan for someone to drive you home and help you take care of yourself during recovery.
Types of Breast Lift
There are a number of surgical approaches to breast lift, and Dr. Galiano will use the most appropriate techniques for you, based on the extent of correction required.
Crescent technique: A crescent breast lift is ideal for patients who have a small amount of sagging. For this technique, an incision is made halfway around the areola.
Donut technique: Mild breast sagging can be improved with a donut breast lift, also known as a peri-areolar lift. An added benefit of this technique is that it involves only one scar; the incision is created around the entire edge of the areola. Patients can also achieve a smaller areola when this technique is used.
Lollipop technique: The lollipop lift is a variation that involves two incisions — one that traces the areola and another that is located vertically from the areola to the breast fold, creating a scar that is shaped like a lollipop. The position of this incision allows Dr. Galiano to remove excess skin and tissue.
Anchor technique: Patients who have a large amount of breast sagging may be candidates for an anchor lift. This technique allows for the most amount of correction and breast reshaping. There are three incisions made during this type of breast lift; the first two are much like the ones made during a lollipop lift. The third incision follows the crease of the breast, where it can be easily hidden.
How Is A Breast Lift Performed?
The procedure is done in the operating room under general anesthesia or sedation with local anesthesia. It usually lasts between 2-4 hours, and patients go home the same day. Women’s breasts come in all shapes and sizes, and they change and age in a multitude of different ways. Because of this, there is not a “one size fits all” type of operation, and the exact type of procedure that will be performed will be discussed with you during your consultation.In general, breast lifts can result in a scar solely around the areola (crescent or peri-areolar mastopexy), an areolar scar with a vertical scar (“lollipop” or circumvertical mastopexy) or an areolar scar, a vertical scar, and a transverse scar at the base of the breast (an “anchor” type of mastopexy, or Wise pattern type). The main goal Dr. Galiano has is to enhance the shape. Although to reach this goal the scars should be considered secondary, he does try to minimize the scars as much as possible. He does greatly prefer to use the relatively newer circumvertical technique as much as possible, since it combines a wonderful ability to create a long-lasting new shape while minimizing the length of scar created. Dr. Galiano will let you know which procedure you are a candidate for during the consultation.
Mastopexy Aftercare & Recovery
Dr. Galiano uses validated techniques to minimize the pain that is typically associated with breast surgery. Most patients need a few days off work, but should be able to walk, go out to dinner or shopping even the day after the procedure. Pain is very patient-specific, but most patients will not have significant pain. There will be swelling, some variable amount of bruising, and some firmness initially. Depending on the technique used, the breasts will settle out into a reasonable shape between 6 weeks and 6 months after your procedure. Mild changes and improvement of the scar (see Scars) will continue to take place during the first year after your procedure. You should not drive for 2 weeks after your procedure, and although you may do mild exercises as soon as you feel up to it, you will be asked not to perform any exercises that cause your breasts to bounce (i.e., running) for 1 month after your procedure.
Breast Lift Surgery Risks
Any surgical procedure has risks, and you will be given a full discussion of these during your breast lift consultation in Chicago. Some known risks include the following:
- Scarring
- Temporary or permanent loss of nipple sensation
- Pain
- Asymmetry
- Changes in your mammogram
- Lumps
Dr. Galiano will go over these risks, and will discuss ways that he minimizes the chances of them occurring.
Why Choose Dr. Galiano?
Dr. Galiano is a well-respected plastic surgeon who has earned an impressive reputation as a dedicated, highly accomplished physician. Choosing Dr. Galiano for breast lift surgery gives patients the security of knowing that they are in the hands of a surgeon who is passionate about delivering outstanding care and beautiful, natural-looking results. He understands that you may have more than a single cosmetic concern when considering a breast lift and ensures that your treatment plan reflects the comprehensive results you desire.
Breast Lift FAQs
Will breast lift increase the size of my breasts?
Breast lift is focused on improving the profile and projection of breasts, not the size. For women who seek greater volume, breast augmentation is the better choice. When breasts are elevated on the chest in a breast lift procedure, modest changes in size — or the appearance of size — can occur. By addressing sagging and improving the overall profile, the procedure can make the breasts look slightly larger. Improvement in nipple projection also plays a role. When downward-pointing nipples are adjusted during breast lift, the more natural angle creates a “perky” appearance that may also give the illusion of larger volume.
What if I intend to have more children?
Dr. Galiano advises women considering breast lift to wait until their family is complete. Pregnancy and breastfeeding place strain on the breasts, resulting in stretching and sagging. If you have an additional pregnancy after breast lift, much of the improvement that you achieved with the procedure may be lost, resulting in the necessity of repeating the surgery.
Are the results permanent?
The results are long-lasting, resetting the natural aging process. You will experience sagging and stretching at some point in the future, but these changes will be less extensive and happen more slowly, because the starting point is the younger look you achieved with breast lift. Smaller breasts show even fewer signs of aging, as there is less volume to sag. Unless you become pregnant or gain significant amounts of weight, your slim, perky profile will endure for years.
Will I have scarring?
As with most breast procedures, the necessary incisions will result in a degree of scarring. Breast lift uses a vertical incision from the base of the breast and incisions around the areola. Dr. Galiano takes the time to understand your preferences for placement of incisions, and uses advanced techniques that result in the shortest, least-noticeable scars. There is much you can do during the recovery process to ensure optimal healing of incisions, and Dr. Galiano will discuss this with you during your consultations before and after the procedure. In general, scars tend to improve in appearance for about a year after surgery.
Can breast lift be performed in conjunction with other procedures?
Breast lift is often performed with or shortly after other body contouring surgeries. This is especially true of breast augmentation, which increases size but does not change elevation or projection. Large implants may sometimes cause a degree of sagging, and so adding breast lift to breast enhancement magnifies the benefits of implants. Greater volume plus a newly revitalized upper body profile results in a youthful, perky appearance.
Breast lift is typically a key element of mommy makeover, the collection of surgical techniques that women often choose after pregnancy to repair and rejuvenate a body that has endured nine months of strain. Other popular mommy makeover procedures include liposuction, to remove pockets of fat, and tummy tuck, to excise folds of skin and repair the abdominal wall.
To learn more about breast lift and schedule your personal consultation with Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Galiano, please call (312) 926-4382, or request an appointment online today.
