Sum T. Tran, MD

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

You may be a good candidate for breast lift procedure if you have any of the following conditions:

• breasts are pendulous and become smaller
• breasts lack firmness
• nipples and areolas point downward, especially if they are positioned below the breast crease

In many cases, the past experience with weight loss and the effect it had on your breast size. Pregnancy and breast-feeding may affect the size and shape of your breasts, so you may wish to postpone surgery until after having children.  Sometime women seek breast lift surgery to correct inherited traits or asymmetry - one breast may be firm and well-developed while the other is not.

A personal and private consultation is the first step for every patient considering a breast lift. During this meeting, Dr Tran will assess your physical and emotional health and discuss your specific goals for the surgical procedure. You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. You should tell Dr Tran and staff if you plan to lose a significant amount of weight, particularly if you have noticed that your breasts become sagged and smaller with weight loss. Your surgeon may recommend that you stabilize your weight before having surgery.

When examining your breasts, Dr Tran will consider their size and shape, the quality of your skin, the deformity of your chest or spine or shoulder and the placement of the nipples and areolas. The areola, which is usually stretched out in sagging breasts, can also be reduced in size and shifted to a higher position. Your anatomy, your desired results and Dr Tran’s recommendation will determine the specific method chosen for your breast lift. Measurements and photographs may be taken.

Dr Tran and his nurse will provide you with specific instructions for the days immediately before and after your surgery. A number of points will be covered, including:

• avoiding medications that may complicate surgery or recover
• stopping smoking for a period of time before and after surgery
• arranging for help or special care following surgery
• having a baseline mammogram before surgery, if  appropriate
  

Breast lift surgery may be performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center.

The most common method of breast lift surgery involves three incisions: T-inverted incision around the areola connecting to the  crease underneath the breast.

After the surgeon has removed the excess breast skin and shaped the remaining breast tissue, the nipple and areola are shifted to a predetermined position. Skin that was formerly located above the areola is brought down and together to reshape the breast. In some cases, liposuction may be used to improve the contour, especially on the sides of the breasts. The nipples and areolas remain attached to the underlying mounds of tissue and this usually allows for the preservation of sensation and the ability to breast-feed.

When surgery is complete, you'll be taken to a recovery area. In some cases, small drainage tubes will have been placed beneath the breast skin to help prevent fluids from accumulating. Gauze dressings will be placed on your breasts and covered with an elastic bandage or supportive bra.

On the day of surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed for short periods of time. Most of the discomfort you feel in the days following the procedure can be controlled with medication.

There are many variations in breast lift technique: T-inverted,  Peri-areolar, Vertical. Dr Tran will determine the best technique for you based on the size and shape of your breasts, the size of your areolas, the extent of the sagging and the quality of your skin.

In some instances, it may be possible to avoid the horizontal incision that runs beneath the breast. For other women, a technique may be used that avoids both the horizontal incision and the vertical incision that runs from the edge of the areola to the breast crease to minimize the scar on the breasts. If you are a good candidate for one of these modified techniques, Dr Tran will discuss this with you.

If you and your surgeon have decided that your breasts will be enlarged at the same time they are lifted, breast implants will be required. If you are considering this option ( augmentation- mastopexy), your surgeon will review the necessary safety information with you and may give you an additional brochure on breast augmentation.

Each year, thousands of women undergo breast lift surgery and experience no major complications. However, it is important for you to be informed of the risks as well as the benefits. One of the most important parts of your consultation is the discussion that you and Dr Tran will have about the possible complications of breast lift surgery. In addition to listening carefully to what your surgeon tells you, be sure to raise any questions or concerns that you may have about the procedure.

Depending on your individual needs, your surgeon may recommend that you begin a pre-treatment plan to prepare the skin for resurfacing.

At the time of the procedure, you will be given specific instructions on how to care for your skin immediately following your laser treatment. Your surgeon may also instruct you to follow a specific maintenance regimen for long-term care of the skin to maximize the benefits of the procedure.

While you are making plans, be sure to make arrangements for someone to drive you home if you will be given tranquilizers or sedation for your laser treatment.

Laser resurfacing is most commonly performed under local anesthesia with sedation, especially when it's used to treat localized areas of the face. You'll be awake but relaxed, and will feel minimal discomfort. For more extensive resurfacing, your surgeon may prefer to use general anesthesia, in which case you'll sleep through the procedure.

Although everyone heals at a different rate, you can expect that your recovery will follow this general time line:

Within the first week

• You will begin to move about more comfortably and perhaps even return to (non-strenuous) work.
• Surgical drains (if used) will be removed and dressings will be changed.

After several weeks

• Bruising, swelling and normal periodic discomfort will diminish
• The last of the stitches will have been removed
• You can discontinue wearing a surgical support bra.
• Sensation within the nipple and areola area will gradually improve.
• You may return to most of your normal activities, including mild exercise.

After a few months

• Your breasts will start settling into a more natural shape.
• Incision lines, which initially are red or pink, will begin to fade.
• Your breasts will feel firmer and appear more youthful and uplifted. The position of your areolas and nipples will be improved and your areolas will be more pleasingly proportioned.

Although the incision lines will be permanently visible, they will fade over time and are easily concealed under clothing - even most swimsuits and tops with low-cut necklines.

The goal of the entire staff is to make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible.