A breast lift (mastopexy) is one of the most popular surgical procedures performed at The Plastics Atelier in Omaha. This procedure can be performed as a stand alone procedure, but frequently is performed at the same time as a breast augmentation. The goals of a breast lift are to reshape the breast, reduce redundant skin and breast tissue, and raise the nipple-areolar complex to a more normal location. At our Omaha practice, our focus is on achieving a natural, beautiful, and proportionate result that aligns with your personal aesthetic goals and body frame.

About the surgery

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 1.5-2 hours to complete. If combined with an augmentation, the duration of surgery is around 3 hours. The incision pattern that is required will be dictated by how far the nipple-areolar complex needs to be raised and by how much sagging there is in the breast. A circumareolar incision (donut lift) is performed in women who have minimal ptosis and laxity. It can also be used to reduce the size of the areola in patients with enlarged areolas. A vertical incision (lollipop lift) is used in patients who only have horizontal soft tissue excess, however, it does not reduce the amount of vertical redundancy in the breast. The anchor incision (traditional lift) is the most versatile and frequently used approach as it allows removal of both vertical and horizontal soft tissue excess.

Recovery and Results

You will need to have someone drive you home on the day of surgery and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. For patients who live more than 1-2 hours away, we may ask you to make accommodations to stay in town overnight the day of surgery. All patients are seen the day after surgery to ensure you are healing appropriately and that you are comfortable.

• Initial Downtime: Plan for around 2 days of rest. You will experience soreness, swelling, and possibly some minor bruising. Most patients describe it as just the skin and chest being very tight, more so than sharp discomfort. That tight sensation starts to lessen around 1 week when the breasts start to soften. Patients typically require minimal narcotic pain medications for this surgery.

• Activity restrictions and recovery period: Normal activities of daily living can be performed as soon as the day after surgery. We do not want you driving or operating machinery if you are taking narcotic pain medications. We ask that you not participate in strenuous activities of any kind for at least two weeks. After two weeks, we do allow you to start some light cardiovascular exercise if you wish (i.e. walking on treadmill), but we do not want you participating in strenuous activities or heavy lifting until 6 weeks after surgery After 6 weeks, you are released from restrictions. We have you wear a soft bra (no underwires) to support the breasts during the healing process. We allow patients to wear underwire bras after 6 weeks once they are all healed.

• Summary: Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how easy the recovery was and that they had very minimal discomfort.

Results

While you will notice an immediate change in the shape of the breasts, it takes at least 3 months for the final shape to become apparent. Right after surgery, there is more upper pole fullness noted but it’s important to remember that some of this volume will redistribute to fill the lower pole of the breast as that skin adapts to the healing process. For patients who are wanting increased upper pole fullness, it is worth discussing if a breast implant would best help you attain that goal.