Concierge Care: A Personalized Approach to Your New Look
Breast lifts are a combination of art and science. Dr. Patel uses modern techniques that have been developed to minimize scarring and produce perkier and long-lasting results.
Scarring – Older methods use scars that look like an anchor. They go around your nipple, down the middle of the breast, and under the entire length of the breast fold. Newer techniques remove the last scar and leave only a fine line around the nipple and down the breast. Dr. Patel uses different stitching techniques that make these scars fine and even help them fade over time in most people, so you can barely see them.
Results – Older techniques, with three long scars, are used to give excellent results to begin with, but after a few months, things start to droop again. Dr. Patel uses newer methods that support the breast structure from the inside, almost like an internal bra so that your results last longer and you look perkier – like you used to.
Recovery – Since the surgery only involves breast tissue, fat and skin, the recovery time is only about three days. You can be out and about with your normal life in no time, as opposed to almost a week with other types of procedures.
A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure performed by a surgeon that corrects numerous breast concerns that revolve around breast sagging and lack of volume. It is an extremely popular procedure with more than 100,000 lifts being performed throughout 2020, according to a report from The Aesthetic Society.
Data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons shows that breast lifts have grown in popularity by 70% since 2000. This trend indicates how trusted and effective breast lift procedures have become.
Why Do We Need Breast Lifts?
As we go through the aging process, our body naturally goes through several different changes. We all develop those changes at different rates, but the degradation of our skin is a universal human experience.
The subsequent sagging that occurs is primarily because of two factors: genetics and environment. After the age of 20, it is estimated that you will lose 1% of your collagen production every year. Collagen is one of the most crucial proteins when it comes to having youthful, taut skin. Unfortunately, the loss of collagen production is also directly tied to genetics — something that nobody has the power to control.
Additionally, any time you have spent outside in the sun has had some kind of impact on your skin, and eventually, that damage will catch up and contribute to the signs of aging that pop up on your face. Pregnancy and nursing cause similar damage because of the trauma that the breasts incur during the process.
If someone goes through a lot of weight fluctuation, this can also create a situation where the amount of skin in the breasts is more than what is needed to make a perky, taut appearance. The greater the fluctuation, the more severe the breast ptosis will be.
What Does Breast Lift Treat?
A breast lift can treat breasts that have become sunken or are sagging due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, aging, gravity or genetics. It can bring the breast tissue back to a full appearance and reposition the nipple to sit in a more natural part of the breast.
If you find yourself with breast tissue or a nipple-areolar complex that is no longer bringing you confidence, then you may want to consider a breast lift.
Am I a Candidate for a Breast Lift?
If you meet the following criteria, then you are likely a good candidate for a breast lift procedure:
- Do not smoke or excessively consume alcohol
- Maintain a stable weight and active lifestyle
- Have breast ptosis or a misshapen nipple-areolar complex
- Have realistic expectations for the procedure
- Want the treatment for only your own happiness
Breast lifts are generally a good fit for most people who would like to improve the look of their bust, but some rare diseases or other preexisting conditions may prevent you from being a strong candidate. In those very rare cases, our team will work with you to find a solid alternative plan.
How Should I Prepare for Breast Lift?
You should begin your breast lift journey by giving our office a call and scheduling a consultation with Dr. Patel. During your consultation, he will conduct a thorough examination, review your medical history and listen to your aesthetic goals and preferences.
Using that information and his wealth of experience, he will tailor a treatment plan perfectly for your conditions. You may be asked to get some lab work done, adjust certain medications, quit smoking and avoid aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs or herbal supplements.
You will also need someone to help care for you on the morning of your procedure. This includes driving you to and from the hospital since you will not be permitted to operate machinery at this time. It is useful if they are also there to help with small tasks in the first 48 hours.
Feel free to bring any questions or concerns you have because our expert staff is looking forward to providing you with as many answers as possible so that you feel comfortable moving forward in your decision making.
What Should I Expect from a Breast Lift Procedure?
The breast lift process can be broken into four parts: anesthesia, incisions, breast reshaping and wound closure.
Anesthesia
This is performed to ensure that you are safe and comfortable during your procedure. IV sedation and general anesthesia are both available, but the best option for your surgery will be determined well in advance during your consultation.
Incisions
There are three types of incisions that can be made during a breast lift, depending on the amount of correction that is required.
The first is called a periareolar lift, which makes a circular incision around the entire nipple-areolar complex. It provides the least amount of access for correction and scarring.
The lollipop lift uses a periareolar lift as well as a vertical incision from the nipple to the bottom of the breast fold. This method has more scarring and potential for correction.
Finally, the anchor lift is the most extensive incision performed for breast lift procedures. It requires all the incisions of the lollipop lift but also includes additional horizontal incisions on the bottom portion of the breast. This method is reserved for the most severe cases of breast ptosis.
The anchor lift is considered to be a bit outdated by today’s standards but can still be reserved for patients with severe amounts of breast sagging to correct. The right approach will be decided prior to your procedure by both you and Dr. Patel.
Breast and Nipple Reshaping
Dr. Patel will reposition and excise excess breast tissue in order to create a tighter appearance. Once the tissue is in a good place, they will then get to work on the nipple-areolar complex, doing their best to find a balanced and harmonious location for it. Dr. Patel will always discuss this with you ahead of time during your consultation so that he and you know exactly what the goals are when you arrive for your actual procedure.
Wound Closure
In order to minimize the appearance of scarring, Dr. Patel uses a unique stitching technique that creates very thin scars that fade over time in typical patients. It works almost like an internal bra. With enough time, many patients find that the scars become virtually invisible. Once the stitching is complete, bandages will be applied alongside drainage tubes. While the tubes are not always used, they help mitigate the amount of swelling and discomfort that can develop during the healing process.
What Should I Expect During Breast Lift Recovery?
Breast lifts have rapid healing times since the bulk of the work is being performed on fat and skin. The bulk of the recovery will occur during the first three days after your surgery. It is normal to experience minor pain, bruising, discomfort or swelling during that time. Many patients are able to cope with those side effects with over-the-counter medications, but prescriptions can be provided when necessary to cope with any lingering pain.
You will likely be given compression garments to wear over the treated area. It is important to use these tools as directed since they will improve your chances of successful recovery and satisfactory results. The light pressure on the tissue reduces the space that fluid has to build up, making sure you are also as comfortable as possible during the treatment.
Recovery Station
We recommend that all of our patients set up a recovery station the night before a procedure is performed. A comfortable space with everything you need during your recovery will help prevent you from overworking or fatiguing yourself during the critical recovery period.
Make sure everything you would need during your recovery is within arms reach. Electronics, books, magazines, chargers, remotes, snacks, drinks, medications — anything that you might find yourself getting out of bed for can be easily gathered in advance. It may seem trivial, but you will thank yourself later for putting in the work ahead of time.
What Kind of Results Can I Expect from a Breast Lift?
You can expect to see a significant improvement in the shape and perkiness of your breast appearance. Excess skin will be removed, keeping your nipple projection and breast shape at the ideal parameters.
Your results are permanent since everything that was removed can never return. But you should always keep in mind that future changes like weight fluctuations, pregnancy or even the natural aging process can continue to change the way your breasts look. There is no procedure that can prevent future changes from occurring, but touch-up surgeries can always be done to keep your breasts at their ideal appearance.
Can I Combine My Breast Lift with Other Procedures?
Breast lifts are often combined with other surgical procedures. There are several benefits to combining procedures simultaneously as your breast lift. The first is that you save a substantial amount of money on anesthesia and facility fees. The second is that the amount of time you are recovering is reduced dramatically. Lastly, surgery does come with some very rare risks, but minimizing the number of times you go under anesthesia decreases the chances of that risk from actualizing.
Here are some procedures that are commonly combined with a breast lift:
Liposuction
Creating a new breast shape is about aesthetics, and aesthetics are all about balance. By trimming some unwanted fat away from the body, you can accentuate your new bust.
Tummy Tuck
You can think of a tummy tuck like it is a breast lift for your abdomen. Many of the same experiences that damage the appearance of your breasts will affect your abdominal areas as well.
Mommy Makeover
If you don’t want to stop at correcting the damage that pregnancy and nursing had on your breasts, you can address several different body parts at once in a procedure that focuses on restoring the bodies of mothers.
How Much Does Breast Lift Cost?
A breast lift typically patient costs between $5,000 and $9000. We recommend that you avoid “budget” practices since they often don’t have the appropriate amount of training necessary to provide you with the results you desire.
Ready to Start Your Breast Lift Journey?
If you are ready to learn more about how you can improve the appearance of your breasts, give our office a call at 732-354-3792. You can also fill out our online contact form if you would prefer to have a member from our team reach out to you at a better time. We know you need a reliable and trusted partner through this process, and we are ecstatic that you are choosing Dr. Patel to help you through this journey.
For more information, contact Nikesh Patel M.D directly with the “Let’s Start Now” form on the right!