BREAST LIFT

Orange County Mastopexy (Breast Lift)

What is Mastopexy?

Mastopexy is the technical term for a breast lift; a plastic surgery that that lifts or reshapes the breast. It usually involves removing the skin and lifting the breast tissues as well as repositioning of nipple and areola. A breast lift is appropriate for women who wish to improve breast shape and position. When there is a desire for an increase in breast volume, breast implants can be used in conjunction with a regular breast lift.

Orange County Mastopexy

Sagging of the breasts typically appears as part of the natural aging process, or in patients who have gone through weight loss, childbearing, or breast-feeding. The loss of skin elasticity, gravity and other factors affect the shape and volume. As a result, the breasts most often lose their shape, size and begin to sag over time. Breast lift surgery in Orange County can effectively raise and reshape drooping breasts.

Your Orange County Surgeon will determine the mastoplexy technique that is right for you. There are various types of mastopexy technique available in Orange country.

Some of them are:

• Doughnut, periareolar, or concentric mastopexy: This technique involves a circular incision all around the nipple. This breast lift surgery requires less skin removal. On closing the breast skin is tightened up around the open doughnut when the nipple is elevated. This method is useful in patients with smaller breasts and less sagging.
• “Lollipop” mastopexy: This is a modified version of the breast lift procedure particularly used for breasts with a little bit more ptosis, or drooping. It involves a periareolar incision with a vertical extension incision that extends down the lower part of the breast to gather in the extra skin on the bottom of the breast.
• Standard mastopexy: Most patients fall into this category, which involves a procedure to dramatically elevate the areola and breast tissue to the proper position. It involves a periareolar scar, a vertical scar, and horizontal scar under the breast which are quite minimal over time.

 

During the procedure, incisions are made using one of the aforementioned techniques. The underlying breast tissue is reshaped and restructured to improve the shape and firmness of the breast. The nipple is repositioned into the appropriate place and excess skin is removed. The remaining skin is tightened and the incisions are closed.

Good breast lift surgery candidates:

• Are in over all good health
• Have moderately sized breasts
• Have loose excess skin and fat that is resilient to exercise
• Have realistic expectation for their outcome
• Do not have a life-threatening conditions or illnesses that can impair healing
• Are Non-Smokers

Mastopexy Recovery in Orange County

Immediately after your breast lift surgery, dressings or bandages may be applied to your incisions, and support bra or compression garment will minimize swelling and support the breasts as they heal. Before you are sent home, you and an accompanying caregiver will be given specific instructions that may include:

• How to care for the breasts following surgery
• Medications to apply to your incisions
• Oral medication to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection
• Signs of potential complications
• When to follow-up with your plastic surgeon

You may experience swelling and discomfort at the incision sites and in breast tissue overall. This is normal and any discomfort can be controlled with medications. Dr. Doezie may recommend you wear a support bra continuously for the first week or two. It is important to clean the incision sites and apply any medication as directed. It is essential to the success of your outcome to follow all instructions. As soon as you feel ready you can return to light, normal activity, usually within one to two days of surgery.

Initial wound healing may take five to ten days. Generally, sutures are dissolvable and do not need to be removed. Most patients take one week or more off from work, depending on the level of the surgery and how the patient feels. You will be ready to return to work and normal activity at this time, if you feel comfortable, so long as you do not engage in any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise. Intimate contact with breasts may resume when healing is more fully completed, usually within three to four weeks.

You will continue to hear for several weeks. Swelling will resolve, implant position will settle and the incisions lines will continue to refine. While scar lines are permanent, they will be inconspicuously located. Continue to follow Dr. Doezie’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.

Mastopexy Results in Orange County

The patient can expect some kind of loss of feeling in your breast skin and nipples caused by the swelling after the breast lift surgery. This numbness normally fades as the bruising subsides over the next few weeks or so. But in some patients, it may last for a year or more, and in certain occasion it may be permanent.

It may take six months to one year for your breasts to settle into their current shape and there may be fluctuation in their shape in response to hormonal shifts, pregnancy and weight changes. Even though the scars are inconspicuous, breast lift scars are permanent and extensive. In many cases they remain red and lumpy for months, and then, over time they become less obvious finally fading to thin white lines.

Any breast lift surgery will not keep your breast tissue firm forever. Weight fluctuations, pregnancy, aging and the effects of gravity can ultimately take their toll again.

Cost of Mastopexy in Orange County

The costs of a breast lift in Orange County can vary based on the type of technique used and the extent of the procedure. Dr. Doezie will determine your exact quote at the time of your consultation. Visit our patient resources page for more information.

Mastopexy Before and After

Visit our photo gallery to see before and after pictures of Dr. Doezie’s Orange County breast lift patients.

Learn more about breast lift surgery in Orange County. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Doezie at Mission Plastic Surgery.