Breast Lift

A breast lift, medically known as “mastopexy,” is a revolutionary breast enhancement procedure that can effectively tighten skin, move the breasts to a more youthful and “perky” positioning, and reduce the appearance of drooping and sagging. Some women may need a full mastopexy procedure to address severe sagging and excess skin, while others who are experiencing less significant drooping may require more subtle techniques. Board-certified plastic surgeon Jon Paul Trevisani, MD offers a range of breast lift techniques that he can tailor to each individual patient, providing you with a custom-designed treatment to achieve your desired contours.

• What is a Breast Lift?
• Breast Lift Benefits
• Breast Lift Candidates
• Degrees of Ptosis
• Types of Breast Lifts
• Breast Lift Procedure
• Breast Lift Recovery
• Breast Lift Results
• Breast Lift Scars
• Breast Lift Cost

What is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift is a cosmetic procedure designed to reduce a drooping aesthetic (medically known as “ptosis”) and raise the breasts to a more youthful location. This is accomplished by removing excess skin, fat, and breast tissue, thereby reshaping the breasts to achieve a more rejuvenated look. Breast lift surgery is primarily pursued by patients who want to turn back time and restore younger-looking breast contours. The procedure is also commonly sought out to reverse the effects of pregnancy, nursing, and weight fluctuation. In addition to enhancing the actual breast tissue, a breast lift can reduce the size of the areolas, if necessary. For women who seek to enhance firmness while enlarging their breasts, placing breast implants in conjunction with a breast lift can be an excellent option.

What Can Breast Lift Surgery Achieve?

Mastopexy can improve the appearance of the breasts in many ways. By removing excess skin, fat, and breast tissue that may be causing the breasts to look elongated or stretched, the procedure can improve the shape, position, and contours of the bust. Breast lift surgery can generally:

• Eliminate breast sagging caused by aging, pregnancy, weight loss, or genetic factors
• Firm and better define the breast contours
• Restore shape to the breasts
• Repair stretched or weakened breast tissue

Ultimately, a breast lift can rejuvenate the breasts for patients who exhibit mild to severe drooping, or who have simply experienced unfavorable changes in their breasts over time. The outcome can be very powerful, and we encourage you to explore before-and-after photos from patients who have previously undergone the procedure and received transformative results.

Am I a Candidate for a Breast Lift?

A breast lift is commonly performed alone or as part of a Mommy Makeover for women who have previously had children. This surgery can also benefit patients who have achieved major weight loss and still have excess skin, or women who naturally developed breast ptosis. In general, those interested in breast lift surgery should:

• Be relatively healthy enough to undergo surgery and the recovery process
• Have positive and realistic expectations for the outcome
• Not have any uncontrolled medical conditions
• Be willing to stop smoking for at least four weeks before and after the procedure

In some cases, patients seek breast augmentation when in actuality, a breast lift is the best procedure to correct their concerns. Factors such as pregnancy, nursing, weight loss or gain, and the natural aging process can cause breasts to lose their firmness and shape.

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Categories of Breast Ptosis

“Ptosis” is a medical term that describes the natural and gradual drooping of breast tissue. A “normal” breast unaffected by ptosis generally does not exhibit drooping of the nipples or any lower breast sagging below the inframammary fold (also known as the natural breast crease). The severity of ptosis is typically divided into the following grades:

• Pseudoptosis: The extent of drooping experienced with pseudoptosis is usually very minor. The lower breast pole may sag beyond the inframammary crease, but the nipples still rest above the breast fold.
• Grade I: Featuring mild sagging of the breasts, the nipples are typically level with the breast crease and the lower breasts often droop below the inframammary fold.
• Grade II: With grade two ptosis, the breasts sag to a moderate degree. The nipples and lower breast pole droop below the inframammary crease, but the nipples are not yet pointing downward.
• Grade III: In the most severe case of breast ptosis, the lower breasts rest well below the inframammary fold and the nipples point downward.

Although a personal consultation is always necessary to properly assess the level of breast droop experienced, the guide above can help Orlando patients considering a breast lift determine whether this procedure — or another breast surgery — is right for them.

Types of Breast Lift Surgery

Full Mastopexy – Wise Pattern/Inverted-T Incision

Also known as an anchor mastopexy or a wise pattern/inverted-T mastopexy, a full mastopexy is the most traditional breast lift technique for women who are experiencing significant signs of sagging or drooping. Incisions are made around the areola and down towards the breast crease, as well as along the breast fold. Excess skin and tissue are removed, and the remaining skin is tightened and smoothed for a much firmer appearance.

A full mastopexy can be very beneficial and generally results in significant improvement; however, this procedure is often best for women who have moderate to severe signs of breast droop. Although there will be visible signs of scarring from this technique, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani is highly skilled with this procedure and will make every effort to make residual scarring as light as possible. Women with smaller breasts, or who have only mild to moderate breast ptosis (sagginess), can typically attain very good results from less invasive breast lift techniques.

Crescent Mastopexy (Half-Moon Incision)

A crescent mastopexy is designed for women who are experiencing only mild ptosis (breast sagging), and is the least invasive breast lift surgery technique. Patients who have excess skin in the upper portion of the breasts, but not the lower, can benefit from this procedure. Our plastic surgeon will make a half-moon-like incision on the upper part of the areola. Extra skin and tissue is removed, and once the incision is sutured back together, the breast can exhibit a lifted appearance. A crescent mastopexy can often be performed in conjunction with a breast augmentation to add volume to the breasts as well.

Doughnut (Periareolar) Mastopexy

A doughnut mastopexy, medically referred to as a periareolar mastopexy, is a breast lift technique which involves the creation of incisions around the areola. Excess skin is removed and the nipples are moved to a higher positioning, ultimately lifting the breasts and tightening the remaining skin. Although not ideal for patients experiencing significant signs of drooping, the doughnut mastopexy is often beneficial for women who have imbalanced nipple positions and/or slight asymmetry in the appearance of the breasts. This technique is not the best option for women who are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. A doughnut mastopexy can often be performed in conjunction with a breast augmentation to add volume to the breasts for a firmer appearance.

“Lollipop” Mastopexy

The “lollipop” mastopexy technique is designed for women who have medium-sized breasts and moderate to severe breast ptosis (sagging), or women who have large breasts but only mild to moderate drooping. This technique involves the creation of an incision around the areola, followed by another incision down the middle of the breast to the breast crease, forming a shape that resembles a lollipop. Excess skin is removed, and the remaining breast skin is lifted and smoothed. “Lollipop” mastopexy, also referred to as a vertical breast lift, is often ideal for women who do not need the more invasive full mastopexy procedure, but who may be experiencing more significant ptosis than can be successfully addressed with a crescent mastopexy. A “lollipop” mastopexy can often be performed in conjunction with a breast augmentation for added breast volume, which can be a beautiful compliment to a breast lift.

How is the Breast Lift Procedure Performed?

During the breast lift procedure, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will place incisions in a pre-determined location, which you both will confirm together during your consultation. An anchor-shaped incision is the most frequently utilized breast lift technique and the pattern is made along the natural contour of the breast. Next, excess skin and glandular tissue are removed, and the bustline is tightened and lifted. The nipples and areolas are also lifted to a higher positioning if necessary, and the surrounding skin is brought down to reshape the breast. This breast enhancement procedure, which is performed under general anesthesia, usually takes 1.5 to 3.5 hours to complete.

What is Recovery From a Breast Lift Like?

Although you can expect to experience swelling, bruising, and minor discomfort after your breast lift procedure, these side effects should subside within a few days. Ice packs as well as over-the-counter and prescribed pain medication can typically manage soreness and swelling during the healing process. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will give you detailed instructions regarding your return to normal activities. Generally speaking, most patients can return to non-strenuous work within one to two weeks. Every person has a unique rate of healing, so the exact length of the recovery period can vary from patient to patient. More demanding or laborious work responsibilities can often be resumed after three to four weeks. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will advise you to avoid aerobic exercise and other strenuous activities until he instructs otherwise.

A breast lift can correct a drooping bustline and restore your curves to their youthful beauty. The results of your plastic surgery should be long-lasting and visible almost immediately. Any residual swelling will continue to diminish over time. Leading plastic surgeon Jon Paul Trevisani, MD and his team of experienced professionals look forward to the opportunity to help you with your breast enhancement goals.

How Long Do Breast Lift Results Last?

Nothing will stop the natural aging process, but the results of mastopexy can last for many decades. Women who have had a breast lift will generally always have younger-looking breasts than patients who did not receive cosmetic surgery. In this way, the positive effects of the procedure can last forever. To help extend the outcome of a breast lift and further delay the aging process, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani advises waiting until you no longer plan to get pregnant to pursue mastopexy. Having children after any breast procedure can weaken the quality of the skin and breast tissue, potentially causing the breasts to droop once again. The best ways to preserve your breast lift results are to maintain a stable weight, live a healthy lifestyle, and undergo surgery only after your family is complete.

Will I Have Noticeable Scars From Breast Lift Surgery?

Scarring after any type of surgery is unavoidable, but the incisions used in mastopexy are designed to blend into the natural lines and contours of the breasts, such as the borders of the nipples and the crease of the breast fold. All scarring can be hidden underneath a bra or bikini top; therefore, breast lift scars are often present but inconspicuous to outside observers.

With good incision care during the recovery period, scar lightening creams, and proper sun protection, any scars from breast lift surgery can fade to some extent after the procedure. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani can give you more information about reducing the appearance of scarring during your consultation.

How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?

A breast lift in Orlando generally costs between $6,000 to $7,500 depending on the unique details of each patient’s treatment plan. Since the total price is influenced by an individual’s needs and overall goals, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani cannot provide an accurate cost estimate until he meets with you in a consultation. After your initial appointment, our office would be happy to give you a personalized quote of your breast lift expenses, which usually include fees for the anesthesia, surgical facility, surgeon, and other related costs.

While cosmetic surgery is not generally covered by insurance, our practice accepts CareCredit® for all of our treatments and procedures. This healthcare lending company is highly reputable and offers qualified patients low- to no-interest financing plans that can accommodate virtually any budget. To learn more about your financing options or the cost of a breast lift in general, please don’t hesitate to call our office to speak with a friendly member of our team.

For more information, contact The Aesthetics Surgery Centre.