Breast lift

Introduction

Beautiful, round, firm breasts, with an aesthetic outline, are regarded as a symbol of womanhood and sensuality. Losing skin elasticity, gravitation effects, pregnancy, breast-feeding, weight variations may alter the firmness and the shape of the breasts. The aging process determines modifications in our body and, implicitly, in the breasts. The most frequent effects are the decrease in size of the mammary tissue, and the lowering of the breasts.
Reclaim you self-confidence and enjoy life to the full.
Breast lift is the surgical procedure for contouring and lifting the "fallen" (ptotic) breasts. At the same time the reduction of the areola size can be achieved. As women age their breast lose their firmness and fall. These transformations can be inherited, they can appear after birth, weight loss or can be caused by aging. The changes are progressive and take place between the age of 20 and 40. The volume of the mammary tissue can remain normal but the breasts lose firmness and the position they used to have. Breast lift can reestablish the breast firmness and can correct their position without enhancing or reducing their volume. If the breasts have lost volume and the patient wants bigger ones, silicone implants can be used.

What patients can benefit from breast lift?

Breast lifting concerns women with "fallen" (ptotic) breasts, which are uncomfortable and unhappy with their "look", this having a negative impact on their mind. There is no physical exercise or medical treatment that can solve this handicap. The best results can be achieved with women with small and ptotic breasts. Of course, any breasts can be lifted regardless of their size but very heavy breast can fall again in time (there is no surgery that can remove the effect gravity has on our body).
On the initial examination it is important to discuss your expectations with the surgeon because every person has a different view regarding the size and shape of the breasts and to the scars. You should also talk about the nipple and areola position and you must understand what type of scar will result.

Surgery risks

There is no surgery without risks. Because it is a large-scale surgery, the risks must be discussed in detail with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist before the surgery.
Besides the risks common to any general anesthesia surgery, infections, hematomas which can make for unaesthetic scars appear. Even without these complications, the surgery leaves visible and permanent scars. The healing is difficult and with broad scars especially with smokers.
Breast lift is not a simple surgery but normally it is safe if it is done by an experienced plastic surgeon.

Before surgery indications

• before the operation, you must undergo a mammogram or an ultrasound examination;
• do not eat and drink anything after midnight before the surgery;
• it is forbidden to take aspirin and other drugs that contain aspirin for 2 weeks before the surgery;
• usually the surgery must be done outside the menstruation period;
• you must tell the doctor or the anesthesiologist if you have medical problems (hypertension, vascular problems, heart failure, diabetes, lung problems, bleeding problems, epilepsy, neurological problems, allergies to certain drugs);
• you must tell the doctor if you wear dental prosthesis or contact lenses;
• if you smoke, plan to stop smoking for 1-2 weeks before the surgery and do not start smoking until at least 2 weeks have passed from the surgery;
• avoid extra exposure to sun before the surgery;
• do not keep a strict diet before the surgery because it can delay the healing;
• if you catch a cold or you have an infection of any kind, the surgery must be postponed;

The surgery

Breast lift is done under general anesthesia. Depending on the case complexity, it takes between 2 and 3 hours. There are many techniques, but the most used one is the one when an anchor shaped incision is done following the natural breast curves. The extra skin is removed and the nipple and areola are moved higher following a pre made drawing. At the same time, the breast tissue is separated from the pectoral muscle and the breast is locked into the new position with non resorbable stitches. A circular scar around the areola, a vertical scar from the areola to the breast cease and one scar in the cease will result. The patients with small breast and minimal ptosis can be candidates to modified procedures that require smaller incisions. If it has been decided that a silicone implant will also be used, this will be inserted into a pocket under the mammary tissue or the pectoral muscle. A small tube may be placed in each breast to drain off blood and fluids for 24 hours.

Post surgery hospitalization

Hospitalization lasts for about 1-2 days, during which antibiotics are given to the patient. The patient will wear an elastic garment outside the normal garment. In the first days after the surgery the breasts will be swollen and painful.

Post surgical retrieval

After you leave the clinic the stitches are removed, 12 days after the surgery; this can also be done by your family doctor. You must wear a surgical bra for 2 to 3 months. Areola and nipple sensitivity modifications may appear but these usually disappear in the first 6 weeks. They are rarely permanent.
You can go back to work in maximum 1 week after the surgery but demanding spots must be avoided for 1 month. The surgery does not hinder breast-feeding if you have a new pregnancy but this will negatively influence the scars and the breast position.
As for the scars, by the sixth month they will have turned red and swollen. After 9 months - 1 year they will diminish and turn light. It is recommended to avoid exposure to sun for one year to prevent the darkening of the scars. We do our best to make the scars as small and inconspicuous as possible. Yet, it is important to understand that breast lift scars are large and permanent but they can be covered by the bra or bathing suit.
You must take into consideration that the new breast position will not be permanent; the effect of gravity, pregnancy, aging and weight changes may determine the gradual reappearance of ptosis.

Conclusion

With this surgery we have a wide ranging medical experience: more then 3000 cases operated on, within a 15 year period. If you have realistic expectations and you are prepared to bear the consequences which consist in a permanent scar, breast lift is the solution for you.

Find out how you can benefit from this intervention. Make an appointment for an examination at Prof. Dr. Bratu.