Revitalize Your Silhouette with Mastery in Mastopexy
Breast Lift Surgery (Mastopexy)
PREMIER PLASTIC SURGERY IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Restore Shape and Confidence with a Breast Lift
A breast lift can be an excellent solution for women experiencing sagging, restoring a youthful breast position, and enhancing overall shape. This procedure is designed to raise and reshape the breasts, helping patients feel more confident and comfortable. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael J. Lee provides personalized breast lift procedures for patients from Chicago, Winnetka, and the surrounding Cook County area.
What is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a procedure that removes excess skin and relocates the nipple from its original position, typically low on the breast, to a more aesthetically pleasing position. Part of the procedure is also aimed at improving the overall breast shape, transitioning from a longer to a more rounded shape.
What are the Benefits of a Breast Lift?
A mastopexy is designed to create a more youthful and proportionate breast profile. The primary benefits of this procedure include:
- Restores a more upright, elevated breast position
- Improves overall breast shape and contour
- Corrects sagging and drooping
- Can improve breast symmetry
- Repositions nipples and areolas to a more forward position
Who is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?
Women who have had children and have developed loose skin or a drop in the nipple position are most often good candidates for breast lift procedures. Men and women who have undergone significant weight loss are also good candidates. Some women are unhappy with the overall shape and position of their nipples since puberty, and these women can also be good candidates for the procedure.
If you are considering pregnancy in the near future, waiting until after the pregnancy may provide a better outcome. Ideal breast lift candidates have realistic expectations for the procedure.
Looking at before and after photos is an excellent way to ensure that your expectations for results are realistic.
Breast Lift Techniques We Offer
Dr. Lee will recommend the most suitable breast lift procedure for you, tailored to your anatomy, degree of sagging, and personal goals. The techniques are defined by their incision patterns.
Crescent Lift
Ideal for minimal sagging, this technique involves a small incision along the upper, outer edge of the areola. It provides a very subtle lift.
Periareolar (Donut) Lift
This approach is suited for mild sagging. It involves a circular incision around the entire perimeter of the areola, allowing for the removal of a “donut” of skin.
Vertical (Lollipop) Lift
For moderate sagging, this technique uses two incisions: one around the areola and another running vertically from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease.
Inverted T (Anchor) Lift
This is the traditional technique used for more significant sagging breast correction. It combines the vertical lift incision with a third incision hidden in the natural crease beneath the breast.
What to Expect During Your Breast Lift Procedure
Your breast lift procedure will be performed under general anesthesia to keep you safe and comfortable. Dr. Lee will begin by making the incisions based on the surgical plan discussed during your breast lift consultation.
Through these incisions, he will skillfully lift and reshape the breast tissue, remove excess skin, and reposition the nipple and areola to a more youthful, forward-facing position. Once the desired contour is achieved, Dr. Lee will close the incisions. The entire surgery typically takes two to three hours.
What Is the Recovery Process Like for a Breast Lift?
A breast lift is generally not considered a painful procedure, and most women take pain medication for only a few days. There is some swelling and bruising around the breast that can last for 7-10 days, and some general discomfort.
Most people take one week off from work for breast lift recovery, unless they perform manual labor or heavy lifting. Exercise and heavy lifting are limited until three weeks after the mastopexy.
It is important to follow Dr. Lee’s directions for post-surgical care closely to provide the best possible breast lift results. Once the healing process is complete and all bruising and swelling have faded, patients can enjoy long-lasting mastopexy results that look very natural.
How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?
For those concerned about the cost of a breast lift, we offer financing through CareCredit. The price of a mastopexy procedure is determined by several factors, including the duration of the surgical session, the techniques employed, and the type of anesthesia used.
Why Trust Dr. Michael J. Lee
Dr. Michael J. Lee is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over two decades of experience performing plastic surgery procedures and will be available to answer any questions you may have. His surgical skill and focus on patient-centered care are dedicated to producing natural-looking breast reshaping outcomes that align with your goals.
FAQs About a Breast Lift
Can a breast augmentation be performed at the same time as a breast lift?
A breast augmentation can be performed simultaneously with a breast lift and may be necessary to provide adequate volume and shape to the breasts. This procedure is known as a breast lift with implants, a breast augmentation with lift, or an augmentation mastopexy. If the changes or excessive skin are too much, the procedures may need to be staged instead of performed during a single session.
Why do some breast lifts have incisions around the nipple and others have incisions underneath and around the nipple?
Many techniques can be used for mastopexy surgery, and these techniques usually reflect how much skin needs to be removed and how high the nipple needs to be raised. If the nipple only needs to be raised 1cm, an incision around the areola or a breast implant is usually all that is needed to raise the nipple. If the nipple needs to be raised 2-4 cm, an incision must be made around the areola, and a vertical incision on the breast must be made to allow for this amount of movement. If the nipple needs to be raised more than 4 cm or there is a significant amount of extra skin, the incision should be made around the areola, vertical, and underneath the breasts.
There are exceptions to this rule, and new techniques that minimize and shorten the scar may make you a candidate. Consult Dr. Lee today to determine if you are a candidate.
How long do results from a mastopexy last?
The results vary depending on the size of the breasts, the quality of the skin, pregnancy, and fluctuations in weight. If the skin quality is good, the breast size is moderate or small, and there are no significant fluctuations in weight, the results can last for up to ten years.
Should I wait until I am finished having children?
If you have started having children or are just about to start having children, it is probably best to wait until you are finished. There are variations in breast size during pregnancy and breastfeeding that can alter the skin quality and shape of the breasts.
Suppose the shape of the breast is significantly altered after having children or weight loss. In that case, it is possible to perform the surgery before having children or between having children. This may mean that a revision will be necessary after having more children.
How long should I wait until I have finished breastfeeding?
The breast shape will change six to eight months after breastfeeding, and surgery should be postponed until this general time frame.
What are the risks of mastopexy?
The mastopexy procedure may affect nipple sensation, scarring, wound infection, and bleeding. These risks are low and typically do not occur, although a red scar may be present for a variable period of time.
Schedule Your Breast Lift Consultation in Chicago
Regain a more youthful breast shape with a breast lift in Chicago by Dr. Michael J. Lee. Schedule your consultation today to discuss your goals with a trusted breast lift surgeon serving Chicago, Winnetka, and Glencoe.
