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Also known as mastopexy, breast lift surgery is designed to eliminate excess skin, raise sagging tissue, and recontour the breasts to achieve a rejuvenated look and feel. If needed, the nipple-areolar complexes can also be resized and/or repositioned accordingly.
It is common for the appearance of a woman’s breasts to change over time. What were once perky, shapely breasts can begin to droop and/or lose volume due to a variety of factors, including genetics, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, and simply the natural aging process. For women who wish to address these changes and restore a more youthful aesthetic, breast lift surgery can often be an excellent option.
At the Godek Center, Dr. Christopher Godek customizes every mastopexy based on the unique needs and goals of the individual. During the consultation process, Dr. Godek will listen to your aesthetic concerns and desires before developing a procedural plan that can effectively address both. Following a surgery for breast lift New Jersey patients can expect more youthful-appearing, shapelier breasts that beautifully accentuate their figure.
At The Godek Center of Personal Enhancement in New Jersey Breast lift surgery can be an incredibly beneficial and rewarding procedure for women seeking to rejuvenate the shape and projection of their breasts. Depending on your specific needs and desires, mastopexy can help:
In addition to these cosmetic benefits, many patients report that breast lift surgery provided a significant boost in self-confidence and self-image, particularly when wearing certain articles of clothing and/or engaging in intimate activity.
A gradual loss of laxity in the supportive structure of the breast tissue can cause the breasts to sag. This “breast ptosis” is experienced at varying degrees, and the current degree of breast sagging will often determine whether breast lift surgery is recommended and, if so, the best technique to utilize during the procedure.
Dr. Godek is a board-certified plastic surgeon skilled in determining each patient’s level of ptosis to design a treatment plan with natural-looking, beautiful breast lift results. During your consultation, a full evaluation will be completed and potential procedures will be thoroughly explained so you can make an informed decision.
The breast lift procedure is performed using one of three incision patterns:
Periareolar – Typically reserved for patients with minimal breast sagging, this incision is made around the circumference of the areola. The resulting scar is usually well-concealed by the darker pigment of the nipple-areolar complex.
Lollipop – Often employed to address moderate breast drooping, this incision encircles the areola and continues vertically down the underside of the breast to the inframammary crease. The scar forms the shape of a lollipop, and it allows for improved tissue contouring and skin excision in certain individuals. Though the lollipop incision is more conspicuous than the periareolar method, it tends to heal well and diminish over time with proper scar care.
Anchor-Shaped (or Inverted “T”) – Generally utilized when a considerable amount of tissue sagging is present, this incision extends around the areola, down to the inframammary crease, and horizontally along the fold for a variable distance. The pattern resembles the shape of an anchor, and it enables the greatest degree of tissue reshaping and repositioning in some patients. Despite its length, the anchor-shaped incision typically heals well, fades over time, and can be concealed by most articles of clothing.
During the breast lift procedure, our New Jersey plastic surgeon will first employ the incision method that was decided upon during the consultation. Our doctor will then remove excess skin, elevate the breasts, and reshape the tissue until an optimal contour and position is attained. If needed, our surgeon will also raise, resize, and/or reshape the nipple-areolar complexes for a more natural appearance. Mastopexy is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, typically taking approximately two to three hours to complete. Once awake from anesthesia and cleared to leave the operating facility, patients are usually able to return home with the aid of a close friend or family member.
Recovery from breast lift surgery is typically uneventful, with soreness, bruising, and swelling representing the most common side effects. These symptoms should subside within a week or two, and most individuals require nothing more than over-the-counter pain medicine to manage any initial discomfort. That said, prescription medication can be prescribed if necessary. Normal daily routines—such as office jobs, school, running errands, etc.—can typically be resumed after approximately one week, though any strenuous activities should be avoided for at least four to six weeks to help ensure proper healing. This includes vigorous exercise, heavy lifting, and/or physical sports.
Following the recommended post-procedure and long-term care instructions provided by our surgeon offers the best chance for enjoying your breast lift outcome for many years to come. Typically, this includes limiting weight fluctuations, supporting a healthy lifestyle, using high-SPF sunscreens, avoiding tanning beds, quitting smoking, and wearing supportive bras. Inevitably your body will continue to age, so natural changes will occur again over time, but following the proper directions can contribute to the longevity of your Breast Lift results.
Many of our patients choose to combine breast lift with implants to further enhance the appearance of their breasts. This is often the case when an individual has either experienced a significant decrease in breast fullness and wishes to restore lost volume, or when a patient desires to achieve a larger cup size in addition to lifting her breasts. Known as a breast lift with implants, this combination procedure offers the benefits of both mastopexy and breast augmentation, helping to notably improve the overall size, shape, and position of the breasts. To learn more about this breast enhancement option, please visit our page detailing breast lift with implants.
Patients can expect some scarring following surgery depending on the particular breast lift technique utilized. Fortunately, our plastic surgeon’s advanced surgical techniques and post-operative protocols help to minimize the appearance of residual scarring and optimize the final outcome.
Most experienced, qualified surgeons will generally recommend waiting to schedule a breast lift procedure until after the patient’s family is complete and breastfeeding is no longer necessary. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect breast lift outcomes, leading to the return of excess, stretched skin and sagging tissues. In regard to the physical aspect of breastfeeding after a mastopexy, the surgical procedure should not affect an individual’s ability to breastfeed as long as they already had that natural ability. It is always advised to be transparent with your surgeon about your possible breastfeeding plans so they may take special surgical precautions to protect the nerves, glands, and milk ducts associated with breastfeeding.
There are countless articles and guides claiming to provide effective exercise tips to significantly “lift” the breasts without the need for surgery. While exercise can help keep you healthy and in good shape, it cannot improve loose skin and sagging breast tissue, nor can exercise lift the breasts to a higher position on the chest. The only effective solution to reduce excess skin and address breast ptosis is breast lift surgery. This procedure can truly rejuvenate the breasts and give them a firmer, more youthful appearance.
The complete cost of a mastopexy will be different for each person and will depend on varying factors. These factors can include the amount of excess skin and sagging tissue being targeted for treatment, fees for the surgeon, operating room, and anesthesia, as well as the Godek Center’s concierge care program that incorporates post-operative sports bras, scar care, and more. Another variable is whether the breast lift is being combined with breast augmentation, which will also affect costs for the implant materials and placement of the implants. During your initial consultation, our surgeon will discuss your aesthetic goals for a breast lift and curate a comprehensive treatment plan with estimated costs. At this time, our team can answer any questions you may have and make suggestions for affordable payment and financing options. For additional information about the breast lift procedure, or to schedule a consultation to discuss breast enhancement treatment options, please contact the Godek Center online or by telephone today.
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