A breast lift, also called a mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening tissues for a more youthful breast contour. A woman’s breasts can change over time due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, gravity, aging, and heredity. This procedure can rejuvenate the figure by creating a breast profile that is more youthful. Dr. Kayastha offers safe and high-quality breast lift procedures for patients in Albany, New York.
What is Breast Lift Surgery?
Normal aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight fluctuations can result in breasts that droop. This can be due to loss of volume and stretching of the skin envelope of the breast. Tightening the breast skin and repositioning the glandular tissues will give the breast a more youthful, pleasing shape.
A mastopexy or breast lift is a surgical procedure done to lift and reshape the breasts. It involves tightening the breast skin and reshaping the breast tissue. The result is a lifted, more youthful appearing breast. The breast lift will not change the size of the breasts but will enhance their position, shifting volume upwards to create a fuller appearance.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?
The ideal candidates for a breast lift are those who are near their ideal body weight and have finished having kids and breastfeeding. It is still possible to have a breast lift if you are not done having children, however, it must be understood that the breasts will go through additional cycles of changes with pregnancy. You may require a second operation when you’re done having kids to regain their ideal appearance. The best candidates for breast lifts are happy with the size of their breasts when they’re lifted in a brassiere. If you feel like your breasts are too large a breast reduction is needed. If you feel like your breasts are too small when they are lifted in a brassiere, then an implant is needed in addition to a lift.
What to Expect
A breast lift will restore a firmer, perkier, and more pleasing shape to sagging breasts. This can help improve a patient’s appearance and also help swimsuits and bras to fit more comfortably.
Before Treatment
Before your procedure, you will have a detailed consultation with Dr. Kayastha to discuss your aesthetic goals. A personalized plan will be made for your surgery to help ensure the best outcomes.
During Treatment
Breast lift surgery is performed at the hospital under general anesthesia. During the surgery process, we make your health and safety our top priorities. Some patients may need to stay in the hospital overnight after their surgery, but most breast lists are done on an outpatient basis.
Immediately After
After breast lift surgery you can expect to experience tenderness, swelling, and bruising. You will be required to wear a supportive surgical bra to support your new breast contours and reduce swelling. Drains may also be placed in some cases. Dr. Kayastha will prescribe pain medications to help with initial discomfort in the weeks after surgery. Patients can resume light activities such as gently walking right after the procedure.
Customize Your Breast Lift
What are my incision options?
The incisions and resultant scars for mastopexy vary depending on the amount of lifting required. These incisions always involve an incision around the areola. This is sufficient for those with mild sagging and those who want to combine a breast augmentation with their procedure. Sometimes, a vertical incision on the front of the breast and a horizontal incision underneath the breast are added to gain the correct amount of skin tightening and to improve more severe sagging.
Breast Lift FAQs
What is a mini breast lift?
A mini breast lift refers to a lift that corrects a minimal degree of sagging. The mini breast lift usually involves an incision around the areola and a slight lift of the breast tissue. A full breast lift would be required if there is severe sagging or if the nipple needs to be repositioned. Patients might also choose the mini breast lift as a second procedure after they have begun to develop further sagging with age or pregnancy.
How long does a breast lift last?
A breast lift can give you more youthful-looking breasts for many years. The results of a breast lift are long-lasting; however, your breasts will continue to age along with the rest of your body. You can ensure that your results are long-lasting by avoiding dramatic weight fluctuations and only having your breast lift when you know you are done breastfeeding and having kids.
What can I expect after breast augmentation and lift?
After breast augmentation and lift surgery, you can expect one to two weeks of recovery. This involves resting and recovering at home and following all post-op instructions provided by Dr. Kayastha. Patients should also follow any movement and exercise restrictions carefully to ensure proper healing. During the recovery process, the implants may initially sit higher on the chest, and swelling can obscure final results. It can take several months for swelling to completely diminish and the implants to settle into their final position. After healing is completed, patients can expect fuller, more symmetrical breasts that are lifted to a more youthful position.
Can I swim after breast augmentation and lift?
After your breast augmentation and lift, you will need to keep your incisions clean and dry while they heal. Because of possible irritants in swimming pools and bacteria in lakes, you will want to avoid swimming until your incisions have completely healed and you have been given the okay to exercise.
When can I return to work after breast augmentation and lift?
Patients typically take one to two weeks off work after their breast augmentation and lift procedure. The exact amount of time you need off will depend on how strenuous your job is. An office job that involves sitting for most of the day can be returned to within the first week if you’re feeling well enough. If your job requires more strenuous movement, you may need extra time off.
What bra do I wear after breast augmentation and lift?
After your breast augmentation and lift, you will be given a surgical bra to be worn for several weeks. The surgical bra helps support your implants during the early postoperative healing period. After a week, you can switch to a sports bra. Avoid wearing an underwire bra for at least six weeks after your procedure.
Is a breast lift covered by insurance?
A breast lift is most often considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance. However, we encourage each patient to check with their provider prior to their consultation.
Do I need a breast lift or just implants?
If youre looking to add or restore volume to your breasts, implants with a breast lift can be an effective combination. Dr. Kayastha can make the right recommendation based on your goals.
Do you lose sensation with breast lift?
Its possible to lose some sensation in your incision area after breast lift surgery, but this is usually temporary.
Do you still have feeling in your nipples after breast lift?
You may lose some sensation in your nipples after a breast lift if its repositioned during the procedure. However, it usually comes back as you recover.
How do you shower after a breast lift?
While showering, make sure to gently wash your incisions with soap and gently pat them dry afterward. Make sure to reapply dressings according to Dr. Kayasthas instructions.
Does a breast lift cost more than implants?
A breast lift typically costs more than a breast augmentation because the surgery is more complex and technically challenging.
Does a breast lift leave scars?
A breast lift will result in scars, which will vary depending on the incision pattern used to complete your procedure.
Does a breast lift make your nipples less sensitive?
Some patients may experience decreased nipple sensitivity after their breast lift. For others, this can be a temporary side effect.
Does insurance pay for breast lift?
Insurance does not generally pay for a breast lift, because the procedure is cosmetic.
How long does it take for breast lift scars to heal?
For most patients, breast lift scars will heal about six weeks after their surgery.
How long do breast lift results last?
On average, breast lift results will last about 10 to 15 years.
How much does breast lift cost?
On average, a breast lift costs about $5,000. This will vary for each patient.
How long does a breast lift take?
Breast lifts typically take about 3.5 hours to complete.
How soon after breast lift can I exercise?
Breast lift patients should generally wait about six weeks before resuming their exercise routines.
Preparing for a Breast Lift in Albany
Preparing for breast lift surgery is important for achieving your best possible results. During your consultation, Dr. Kayastha will give you specific and detailed instructions for your preparation. Some general considerations include:
- Stopping or adjusting medications, such as blood thinners, as needed
- Coordinating with a close friend, family member, or other caregivers who can assist you with transportation and care for at least 24 hours after surgery
- Purchasing and/or packing essentials like comfortable clothing, medications, books, magazines, and other types of entertainment for your recovery period
- Refraining from eating or drinking beginning at midnight before your procedure
Recovering from a Breast Lift
After the breast lift procedure, patients can expect one to two weeks of downtime where they must rest and recover at home. This involves taking time off from work and following exercise restrictions. Most patients have some soreness for the first 2-10 days, but this can be well managed with prescription pain medication. Non-strenuous activities of daily living can be resumed in 24-48 hours, however more strenuous exercise should not be undertaken for 5-6 weeks. Patients will also be asked to wear a surgical bra to minimize swelling and assist the healing process.
Breast Lift Results
Breast lift results will be noticeable right away, though swelling will be present for several weeks. Due to residual swelling, final results will not be seen until about six months after breast lift surgery. However, most people are happy with their natural feeling and looking results just six weeks after surgery.
Breast Lift in Albany, New York
If you are interested in learning more about breast lift surgery or scheduling a consultation with Dr. Kayastha, contact our Albany office today at (518) 674-9060 or contact us online.
Patients
Dr. Kayastha
Dr. Kayastha and his entire staff were very kind and professional from start to finish. He has exceptional attention to detail and really goes above beyond to ensure that his patients are comfortable and well informed throughout the entire process. His work speaks for itself, and I could not be happier with the results.
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