Breast Lift

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that lifts the breasts to a more youthful position and improves the contours by removing excess skin and tissue. The nipples are often lifted as well to match the new elevation and shape of the breasts. Breasts can begin to sag for many different reasons, the most common being aging, breastfeeding, and weight loss. Regardless of the cause, a breast lift can elevate your breasts to a more youthful position on the chest and provide women with a more attractive profile. Dr. Suresh Koneru is a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing since 1996, and has delivered transformational results to patients from the San Antonio area and beyond. If you’re interested in improving your breast profile, contact Advanced Concepts in Plastic Surgery by calling (726) 227-6847 or filling out our contact form, and take the first step towards the beautiful breasts you deserve.

About

Breast lift surgery repositions the breasts higher on the chest and creates firmer, more shapely breasts. During this procedure, the nipple and areola may also be relocated higher on the breast mound for a more youthful appearance. As the years pass, our skin loses its elasticity, and the weight of the breast tissue can cause the breast mound to descend. Weight fluctuations and breastfeeding also cause changes in breast volume. As a result, many women find that their breasts have become flatter and that their nipples are now oriented downwards. By removing loose skin and repositioning the underlying breast tissue and nipple-areolar complex, a breast lift improves the shape and position of the breasts. This procedure is tailored to a patient’s unique anatomy and desires and can be combined with other breast enhancement surgeries. Because a breast lift does not increase the fullness of the breasts, many women choose to combine this procedure with a breast augmentation to achieve greater volume. 

Degrees of Breast Ptosis

Breast ptosis, or sagging of the breast, can be classified by where the nipple lies in relation to the inframammary fold. The inframammary fold (IMF) is the crease underneath the breast where the underside of the breast meets the chest wall. 

Pseudoptosis: Pseudoptosis occurs when the nipple is level with the IMF but the lower portion of the breast hangs beneath the IMF. ^[1]

Before and After Photos

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Benefits

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were over 87,000 breast lifts performed in the United States in 2020 alone. ^[2] Breast lifts are an effective way of restoring the breasts to a youthful, more attractive profile. This rejuvenating procedure boosts self-esteem and comfort. Women can wear strapless tops and dresses more confidently, and no longer have to depend on constricting and uncomfortable undergarments to improve their contours. And, any scarring, although it will fade, is well concealed under a bikini top. 

Candidates

A woman who is in overall good health, maintains a stable weight, and has realistic expectations is a good candidate for a breast lift. She most likely will have droopy, elongated, or sagging breasts and/or nipples and areolas pointing downward. This may be the result of aging or pregnancy. Women who plan to have more children may want to postpone this procedure until they are done having children. Another pregnancy and nursing may reverse the effects of a breast lift.

Personal Consultation

A breast lift consultation provides patients the opportunity to discuss their cosmetic concerns and desires. For those outside the San Antonio area, convenient virtual consultations are also available. Dr. Koneru will perform an examination to determine what level of ptosis is present. He will also examine the skin elasticity and review the candidate’s medical history to make sure that the surgery will be safe and effective. If the patient is a good candidate for a breast lift, Dr. Koneru will create a customized treatment plan, and explain what he feels is the best approach. At Advanced Concepts in Plastic Surgery, patients receive the support and information they need for a smooth procedure and recovery. They also get personalized instructions for the best ways to prepare. Advanced Concepts in Plastic Surgery is happy to offer both virtual and in-person consultations. Contact us today to schedule your Breast Lift consultation at our San Antonio, TX office.   

Procedure

Dr. Koneru performs this surgery on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. It normally takes one to three hours, depending on the size and shape of the breasts, as well as the degree of sagging and amount of excess skin. For cases with minimal sagging, Dr. Koneru uses the “short scar”, or SPAIR technique. Some people call this the “lollipop lift” because the healed incision looks like the outline of a lollipop. He makes incisions that encircle the areola so that skin can be removed, and the areola can be lifted to a higher position. Other incisions travel from the areola to the inside and outside of the lower breast. Once he has access to the underlying breast tissue, he can secure it in its new position. The skin on each side of the bottom of the breast is eventually pulled together to meet in the center of the lower breast, lifting and tightening the breast mound. The skin around the areola is then gathered inwards and sutured into place. ^[3] For those with greater sagging, and a larger amount of tissue to remove, the anchor technique will be performed. This technique involves an incision around the areola and down the middle of the breast to the bottom crease in a straight line. An additional incision along the breast crease is made, creating an anchor shape. Another option for women with significant sagging, or who want optimal lift and support is the placement of GalaFlex. This biocompatible material creates an internal bra to reinforce the lift created during surgery. Dr. Koneru will explain the best treatment options to achieve your goals.

After these incisions are made, breast tissue is removed and reshaped to achieve the desired contour. The areola and nipple may potentially be moved higher as well or resized to match the new proportions. Excess skin is removed to create a tighter, more refined appearance. When the breast lift is complete, the incisions are closed with stitches and generally heal well.

Recovery

Dr. Koneru ensures his patients have the most comfortable experience possible by performing a PECS Block prior to surgery. He targets the nerves in the chest with Exparel,  a local anesthetic that can last up to 72 hours. This long-acting local anesthesia keeps patients comfortable for a few days after surgery: the days that are usually the most uncomfortable. Dr. Koneru will also prescribe pain medication to be taken on an as-needed basis.

Patients also have the advantage of Dr. Koneru’s Fast Recovery After Plastic Surgery (FRAPS) Protocol. This carefully designed plan consists of instructions and medication regimens for before, during, and after a procedure. The FRAPS protocol helps maintain patient comfort and safety and minimize the use of narcotics. 

After surgery, patients normally experience bruising, soreness, and swelling for a few days. The breasts are bandaged or put in a surgical bra for about a week. Stitches are typically removed within a week or two of surgery. Afterward, patients will be asked to wear a support bra for about 6 weeks. While most patients can return to work within a week, Dr. Koneru recommends avoiding exercise and strenuous activities for at least a month.

Results

Patients will see some of the results of their breast lift immediately after surgery and, of course, their results will continue to improve as the swelling goes down and the scars diminish. Patients who discuss their goals and expectations with Dr. Koneru before surgery know what to expect, and are usually satisfied with the new position and look of their breasts. A breast lift is not permanent, but patients will enjoy the results of more youthful-looking breasts for many years.

A breast lift is a safe procedure for ideal candidates. As with all surgeries, there is some potential for complications. However, these chances are significantly reduced by choosing an experienced surgeon like Dr. Koneru to perform your procedure and by following all instructions before and after the procedure.

Additional & Complementary Procedures

Breast Augmentation

In order to achieve some patients’ desired contours, adding a breast augmentation to their breast lift may be necessary. Patients can choose the type, shape, size, and projection of the implants, which can be inserted using the same incisions used for the breast lift, so no additional scarring or surgery is needed. Women who desire a bit more fullness in the upper portion of the breasts or to enhance their cleavage may also opt to add a fat transfer.

If a patient has lost a significant amount of weight, sagging skin may affect the abdomen as well as the breasts. This can easily be remedied with a tummy tuck. Tummy tucks remove loose, sagging abdominal skin and fat and repair damaged abdominal muscles for a flatter, better-defined midsection. Dr. Koneru has been a top drainless abdominoplasty surgeon since 2018, providing patients with easier recoveries. 

Mommy Makeover

For women who have given birth, we are proud to offer a San Antonio mommy makeover. A mommy makeover is a combo procedure; patients can pick and choose which procedures they wish to restore their pre-baby body and achieve sensational contours. The most common procedure options for a mommy makeover include tummy tuck, breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, and labiaplasty. No two mommy makeovers will be alike; the final results will always vary based on the procedures chosen, the woman’s unique anatomy and proportions, and the desired outcome. Some women may only want to return their bodies to how they looked before they gave birth, while others want a truly transformative look. The choice is yours! 

Cost

Breast lift surgery cost will depend on the extent of the procedure and what is necessary to attain the desired results. The cost will also vary if additional procedures are performed like breast augmentation or fat transfer.

Lift your breasts, your self-esteem, and your pride in your looks! Call (726) 227-6847 to schedule a breast lift consultation.

References

1. Martinez AA, Chung S. Breast Ptosis. PubMed. Published 2021. Accessed September 30, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567792/
2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2020 National Plastic Surgery Statistics.; 2021. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2020/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2020.pdf
3. Hammond DC. The Short Scar Periareolar Inferior Pedicle Reduction (SPAIR) Mammaplasty. Semin Plast Surg. 2004;18(3):231-243. doi:10.1055/s-2004-83191