Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the weight fluctuations that go along with being a mom can put a lot of “wear and tear” on the breasts. They can start to sag and droop. The areola can also become enlarged and sag. Many moms are turning back time and restoring the perkiness and firmness their breasts used to have before having children with a breast lift.
What Is a Breast Lift Procedure?
A breast lift procedure helps restore the youthfulness to the breasts. This procedure is also called a mastopexy. Its purpose is to remove excess fat and skin while tightening up the surrounding muscles and tissues. The procedure creates a new contour as the breasts are reshaped and lifted.
It is important to not confuse a breast lift with breast augmentation (enhancement/enlargement) or breast reduction procedures. A breast lift will not make significant changes to the appearance and size of the breasts.
If you want to increase the size of the breasts or give them a fuller or rounder look, then you should talk to your board-certified cosmetic surgeon about a breast lift with breast augmentation procedure.
On the other hand, if your breasts are too large and causing back pain and other issues, then you should talk to your plastic surgeon about a breast lift with breast reduction procedure.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Breast Lift Surgery?
Breast lift surgery is a surgical procedure and does have certain risks and requirements. An ideal candidate should be:
• Healthy
• Able to Maintain a Consistent Weight
• Nonsmoker
• Free from Addiction/Substance Abuse
• Sagging Breasts
• The Areola Is Enlarged or Sagging
• One Breast Sags More Than the Other
• You Dislike the Appearance of Your Breasts
Why Do Moms Get Breast Lift Surgery?
Two of the more common reasons moms get breast lift surgery are:
- After losing pregnancy weight, their breasts are sagging.
- Their beasts won’t return to their pre-pregnancy shape.
During pregnancy, women put on weight. The breasts will also enlarge, and the skin will stretch. Even after a mother gives birth and stops breastfeeding, the breasts do not always return to their pre-pregnancy shape. The areolas can become enlarged from breastfeeding too.
The skin around the breasts can sag and look loose as a woman loses the weight gained during pregnancy. A breast lift procedure will restore the youthful and pre-pregnancy appearance to the breasts.
How to Prepare for a Breast Lift Procedure
The first thing you will want to do is schedule an initial consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Grossman. During your consultation, you are encouraged to ask questions.
Dr. Grossman will go over what to expect during the procedure, what your objectives are, and whether including breast augmentation or breast reduction with your breast lift procedure would be beneficial.
Dr. Grossman will also review the general steps they will perform during the procedure. They will even show you computerized breast lift before and after pictures so you can see how you will look post-surgery.
What Is the Recovery Time for a Breast Lift?
The recovery time will vary, depending on your exact procedure and if you also included augmentation or reduction with your surgery. Generally, recovery time is between three to six weeks. During this time, you will have specific instructions and restrictions you should follow.
Post-surgery, your breasts will be wrapped in elastic bandages and there may be drainage tubes installed, which you will remove later. You will need to wear a support bra or use elastic bandages to limit swelling until your breasts heal.
Dr. Grossman will go over everything you need to know to care for your breasts post-surgery. You will also have a few follow-up visits to monitor healing.
For further information about breast lift surgery and to schedule your initial consultation, contact Grossman Plastic Surgery at (818) 981-2050 today!