The breast lift, more formally known as a mastopexy, is an operation that is chosen when a patient has experienced sagging and loss of firmness in her cleavage. Age, weight loss, pregnancy and breast-feeding can all lead to a chest that sags and nipples that face downward rather than ahead. It's been established that an excess of skin creates such an effect.
The ?lift? of the procedure begins with a surgeon making incisions on key areas of each breast and removing this extra skin. The surgeon then moves the nipple and areola to a slightly higher spot. Skin that had been located above the original nipple area is moved below the new nipple area, which helps create a new, firmer shape. The procedure is more ideal for women with fairly large and heavy breasts, since smaller sizes may not be lifted in a way that has long-term results. The technique of incision can also vary based on the original size and shape, but the principle remains the same. The operation usually takes two hours or less, and patients leave the hospital during the same day. A high-protein may diet aid in recovery.
The breast lift is commonly performed in conjunction with breast implants, but is viable all on its own. Unless the patient gains a great deal of weight, the effects of a breast lift can last much longer than that of implants. The lift is also a procedure that can be repeated years later. For best results, however, the operation is recommended for women who don't plan to become pregnant afterwards.
Prior to the breast lift, the plastic surgeon will want to know not just the dimensions of a patient's breasts, but also her skin quality and medical history. This includes pre-existing conditions, any previous surgeries, drug allergies and current medications. Women who have reached a certain age ? or who have a family history of breast cancer ? may be urged towards a mammogram prior to the lift and then another one afterward. This is not because the operation increases cancer risk, but because the tests can clearly indicate whatever changes in breast tissue have resulted. Also, women who smoke are advised to stop smoking two weeks prior to surgery and to avoid anti-inflammatory drugs, since these pills can cause bleeding.
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the most common complication afterwards is a change in nipple sensation, which is almost always temporary. This group also reports that in 2008, more than 118,000 women received breast lifts. This is a figure up from 60,000 in 2001, which, in itself, had been an increase of more than 200 percent since 1997.
Breast Lift
A woman's breasts can sag because of a multitude of reasons - pregnancy, breastfeeding, or even due o loss in firmness due to old age. Mastopexy, otherwise known as a breast lift, is a surgery that can lift and change the shape of breasts that have lost their original firmness. Surgery also allows a woman to alter the shape and width of her areola - the dark skin around the nipple.
Each woman has a distinctive breast shape. To counter this, some breast lift procedures are accompanied by breast implants as well to provide the proper enhancement or reduction in size. When you consult a surgeon before opting for surgery, he will fill you in on details regarding such procedures.
Breast Reduction
If you wish to reduce the size of your breasts, a doctor will advise you to opt for a reduction mammaplasty, commonly known as a breast reduction procedure. In an operation for breast reduction, he surgeon shapes the breast into a higher position, making it appear more youthful. Extra tissue from the breast, and the breast skin is cut away to reduce its size. The amount tissue removed determines the improvement to the breast shape.
General information
Both mastopexy and reduction mammaplasty procedures require the patient to be put under general anesthesia. The amount of sagging of the breast determines which of several prevalent methods is employed during surgery.
Steps involved:
* Removal of skin and tissue from the underside of the breast and around the areola * Tightening the skin around the breast * Lifting the nipple to provide a more youthful appearance to the breast * Insertion of breast implants to provide firmer, fuller breasts
Judicious use of traditional and modern incision methods decreases the chances of permanent scarring due to surgery. Procedure called the 'anchor incision' is a favored technique. This involves making an anchor-shaped incision on either side of the areola and vertical downwards on the breast and on its underside.
Another procedure named 'vertical mastopexy' is a common surgical method. The incision in this procedure is made around the areola and in a straight line down the center of the breast.
When the incision is made only around the nipple, the procedure is termed a 'doughnut mastopexy'. This is used in mild reduction cases for women with smaller breasts where only minimal removal of skin is required.
Potential Risks of Surgery
Improper healing and the psychological impact of scarring are the most common fall-outs of such surgical procedures. If you have a tendency to develop keloids, or scarring problems, the scars resulting from the surgery could be raised and red for several months following the surgery.
Though bleeding and infection are rare complications, they are not unheard of, and if such conditions arise, it is advisable to consult your doctor as soon as you can, as it can result in widened and ugly scars.
Asymmetrical positioning of nipples and irregularities in breast sizes are a possible outcome of the surgery. The areola may also be insensitive to tactile sensation immediately following the surgery.
If you intend to conceive in the future, and wish to breastfeed your baby, it is necessary that you speak to your surgeon about this before you proceed with this operation. It is not uncommon for women to be unable to breastfeed after cosmetic surgery on the breasts. It is matter of some gravity to most women and it must be given due thought before a decision regarding such a major procedure.
Both Daryn Duff 01 & Dr. Paul Smith are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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