• 
  American Society
  of Plastic Surgery
• 
  American Society of
  Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
• 
  American Association for Accreditation
  of Ambulatory Surgery Facility

SELECT A PROCEDURE: Breast Augmentation | Breast Reduction | Breast Lift

Breast Lift Surgery in Salt Lake City, Utah

A mastopexy or breast lift procedure is performed to reduce or eliminate breast sagging or ptosis. Breasts will have a tendency to sag after pregnancy and breast feeding. The original volume of breast tissue will diminish after breast feeding but the skin of the breast does not. There may also be changes in both the areola and nipple. In patients who have undergone a gastric bypass or a weight reduction procedure then the breasts become very droopy with an increase amount of skin. There will also be a significant loss of breast volume. Schedule an appointment for a breast lift in Salt Lake City, Utah today.

Surgery

It is not unusual to surgically reduce the overall size of the areola and/or nipple along with the breast lift. This is accomplished by removing excess skin and leaving as much breast tissue as possible. The nipple is elevated to a more aesthetically pleasing position. In many cases, a breast lift alone is not enough to achieve the proper breast contour and size and so a breast augmentation with an implant will be necessary.

Scars are present around the areola, vertically down to the fold where the breast meets the chest and horizontally along this fold (an “anchor-type” incision or inverted “T”). At times for very minor amount of ptosis (sag) a “donut” type mastopexy can be performed. This is an excision of skin around the areola with a circular tightening. The scar will be a circular one along the border of the areola. This possibility will be discussed with you when you meet with your surgeon.

Anesthesia The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, usually as an outpatient. The anesthesiologist and the surgical facility will bill separately for their services.

Duration of Surgery The operating time will vary depending on the patient and the extent of the procedure. Generally the time is 2 ½ hours. The procedure could take longer when a breast augmentation is also performed or if there has been previous breast surgery or if liposuction or nipple reduction is performed. There will be additional costs for additional procedures.

Photographs Photographs are taken at the time of your consultation. These are important aids in the preparation of surgery and become a permanent part of your record. Post-surgical photographs are also taken.

Before Surgery It is imperative that aspirin and ibuprofen or products containing aspirin not be taken at least 3 weeks prior to surgery. Also refrain from consuming any energy drinks and herbal supplements, as some may have an effect on increasing bleeding during the course of surgery. Remove all makeup and mascara from your eyelids. If you wear contacts lenses, it would be preferable that you wear glasses when you arrive to the surgery center. You should bathe well on the day of surgery prior to coming to the surgery center. It is okay to brush your teeth the morning of surgery. Schedule an appointment for a breast lift in Salt Lake City, Utah today.

After Surgery

Patients return home after the operation wearing a bra and an Ace bandage. The bra helps to support the breasts, to lessen discomfort and to help maintain the implants (if an augmentation is performed) in an anatomical position. The bra should be worn at all times for the first 2 weeks. After this time you may change your bra for a more pleasing one but should still be a “sleep bra”. "Sports bras" or bras with underwire should not be used. You should not go bra-less for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. If the bra is too tight it may cause ulceration of the skin and should be loosened or removed and another bra used. Do not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds for the first week. You may lift your arms above your head. Ice packs may be used over your chest to assist in decreasing some of the swelling.

You may shower the 3rd day after surgery. If you bathe, do not allow the incisions to soak under water. You may remove the bra to shower or bathe. Any dressings may be removed to bathe except for the Steri-strips.

Initial discomfort is controlled with oral medication. A pain medication delivery system (pain catheter) is available for an additional charge that will provide continued anesthesia to the surgical area for 3 days or more. Stitches are usually removed in 7 to 10 days.

Breast massages will be instituted once the discomfort subsides (usually within 3-7 days). Your physician will review the type of massages when you return for your follow-up appointment. You will need to take Vitamin E, 1000 IU/day, after surgery.

Return to Normal Activity Most people return to their usual activities and to work approximately 1 to 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Strenuous sports and other activities should not be performed for 3 to 4 weeks. You may drive when driving does not cause pain, or when you are no longer taking pain medication.

Scars You should expect a scar around your areola, which usually is difficult to see once it had faded. Another scar extends from the 6 o'clock position of the areola to the point where the breast meets the chest. Another scar runs along the fold under the breast. Both of these scars also fade over. This usually takes 9 to 12 months. All scars are however permanent. The width, height and color of scars are unpredictable. Wear a sunscreen of at least SPF of 30 or greater when outside to protect the scars from sunlight during the healing process.

Pregnancy During pregnancy and after childbirth your breasts will get larger. It is safe to breast-feed. Many women with breast implants and/or mastopexy have nursed successfully. However, any surgery on the breast can theoretically interfere with the ability to breast-feed.

Diminished Sensibility As with any surgical procedure, small sensory nerves to the skin surface may be cut when the incision is made or when skin is undermined. Portions of your breast will feel numb or have less than full feeling. In addition, the nerves to the nipple may be stretched during the procedure resulting in a decrease or loss of sensibility of the nipple. The sensibility (feeling) in these areas gradually returns, usually within 2 to 3 months as the nerve endings spontaneously heal. During the healing process the breast skin and/or nipples may become hypersensitive for a period of time. Some diminished sensibility may last indefinitely.

Swelling Swelling of the breasts or any site following surgery is normal. During the first 1 to 2 weeks your breasts will feel and look larger due to the implants and the swelling. The breast skin may appear shiny due to the swelling. The swelling will start to subside after the second postoperative week. It may take as long as 2 months for the last bit of swelling to recede. You may expect about 50% of the final improvement at 2 weeks and about 75% at 1 month. Some patients continue to see improvement out to 6 months.

Complications

HEMATOMA A collection of blood in the surgical site occurs in a small percentage of patients. If a breast augmentation is performed then blood in the breast pocket containing the breast implant occurs in 2 - 3% of women. The body will absorb minimal bleeding. A larger collection may necessitate aspiration to drain the collection. Occasionally, it will require additional surgery.

INFECTION This is uncommon but possible. We attempt to minimize this risk by giving intravenous antibiotics during the procedure and oral antibiotics after surgery. Most infections are mild and are treated with antibiotics. Occasionally a serious infection develops which necessitates removal of the implant. It can usually be replaced in 3 to 6 months.

WRINKLING or RIPPLING Occurs when breast implants are inserted. With the use of any implants, but especially with saline implants, rippling of the implant under the skin may be visible or palpable. Occasionally the edge of the implant can be felt. The usual area for feeling the implant is along the side of the breast and just underneath the breast. These problems are usually mild and require no additional treatment. This is potentially less of a problem if the implant is placed under the muscle. In women who are very thin or who have very little breast tissue then feeling the saline implant is more of a reality.

ASYMMETRY Most women have breasts of slightly different size and or shape. If these differences exist prior to surgery they may remain different after surgery. Rarely, in spite of careful attention to detail, the breasts end up slightly different in size or shape. If this is not noted while you are in surgery, and poses a problem after healing, you may need a small procedure in the future to adjust the difference.

LOSS OF SKIN, BREAST TISSUE OR NIPPLE This is extremely rare. When it does occur, it is usually the result of an infection that has grown out of control. This is another rare occurrence. The areas of loss are usually small and heal with conservative care.

BREAST CANCER There is no evidence linking breast surgery with breast cancer. Breast surgery may result in scar tissue that at times might appear to be a mass on mammogram. If an implant is used the clinical studies show that the prevalence of breast cancer in women with implants is the same or lower than in women without implants. In addition, studies have shown that the stage of breast cancer detected in women with implants is the same as in the general population.

I mention these complications not to alarm or frighten you since the usual outcome after this surgery is quite favorable. The majority of patients are very satisfied. I present this information to you to fully educate you on the side effects, undesirable sequelae and complications no matter how remote they may be.

Schedule an appointment for a breast lift in Salt Lake City, Utah today.

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Telephone: (801) 743-0700
Fax: (801) 743-0701
for more information.

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