About the Breast Lift Procedure
No woman wants to have sagging breasts. Pregnancy, nursing, and skin elasticity loss due to aging can cause the breasts to lose their shape and firmness.
What is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift, or mastopexy, will lift and reshape the breast, restoring a more youthful appearance to a woman’s body. Often, breast implants are also used along with the breast lift to help shape, increase fullness, and to add volume and size. Breast lifts can be performed in combination with other body procedures and are sometimes included as part of a mommy makeover, which is a special combination of plastic surgery procedures designed to restore and rejuvenate a mother’s body to its former self after she is finished having children.
There are several types of breast lift procedures ranging from simple lifts with minimal scarring to more extensive lifts (standard, or full lifts). The type of lift is individualized for each Austin patient depending on the severity of sagging and the desired patient goals.
The Consultation
If you’re considering getting a breast lift – either with or without breast implants, your first step is to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Tjelmeland at Austin’s Meridian Plastic Surgery Center. It is during this initial appointment that you will be able to communicate to Dr. Tjelmeland your pain points and discuss how you would ultimately like your breasts to appear.
For this first visit, Dr. Tjelmeland typically asks his potential Austin patients to bring in photographs or magazine clippings of what they would like their breasts and overall silhouette to look like. Using general terms like “perkier” or even suggesting a cup size if you are considering a breast augmentation along with your breast lift are not enough, as words can be general, and cup sizes vary between bra manufacturers.
You may choose to rely on Dr. Tjelmeland’s breast augmentation before and after gallery to determine how you would ultimately like your breasts to appear.
How is a Breast Lift Performed?
Breast lift surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis under light general anesthesia. While you’ll arrive at our certified surgical center about an hour before your procedure, the actual surgery may take between 2.5 to 4.5 hours, depending on the type of lift and the condition of your breasts. Circumareolar lifts can be accomplished with an incision just around the areola and are typically performed in combination with breast augmentation surgery. A standard lift or full mastopexy involves more incisions to allow for more aggressive lifting and reshaping of the breast for situations involving severe sagging of the breast. If necessary, breast implants can also be used with a standard or full mastopexy to help shape the breast and, if needed, increase the size of the breast.
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Recovery: What To Expect
Most women will return home the same day of their breast lift surgery, though some may require additional monitoring by Dr. Tjelmeland to ensure safety and comfort. Either way, you will not be able to drive yourself home after your surgery due to the anesthesia’s after-effects.
After surgery, your incision sites will be covered with gauze, and an elastic bandage or a surgical bra will hold the breasts in place. Your breasts will be swollen, and you may experience some mild discomfort that is easily managed with pain medication. A soft support bra replaces the bandages or surgical bra after a few days.
Usually, Austin patients return to work between 5 – 7 days depending on the type of procedure and the type of work. You will need to avoid any heavy lifting or vigorous activity for 3 to 4 weeks, depending on your situation. This includes lifting small children. If you are a mother with little ones at home, you’ll need to arrange for additional help with childcare while you recover, as you will be unable to pick your children up during your initial recovery from breast lift surgery.
Am I A Good Candidate For A Breast Lift?
Many Austin women want a breast lift for perkier, more youthful-looking breasts, but just wanting a breast lift doesn’t qualify you for surgery. Dr. Tjelmeland always puts your safety first, which is why he has strict criteria for accepting breast lift patients. These include:
- Being in good general overall health.
- Listening to Dr. Tjelmeland explain the breast lift surgery to you in detail, and communicating with him that you have realistic expectations for your procedure.
- Being a non-smoker, as smoking can complicate both the breast lift surgery and your recovery time.
- Being in good psychological health.
Other Resources Related to Breast Lift
Procedure: A breast lift can be combined with a breast augmentation
Excellence in Breast Lifts in Austin, TX
Schedule A Breast Lift Consultation At Meridian Plastic Surgery Center Today
Don’t live with sagging breasts that make you feel older or self-conscious about your appearance. If you want more information about getting a breast lift in Austin, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Tjelmeland at Meridian Plastic Surgery Center by calling (512) 617-7500 or by sending us an e-mail.
