What is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift, also called mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that lifts and rejuvenates the breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning tissue. The result is breasts that are no longer flat, low-hanging, or tuberous. A breast lift can sometimes be performed at the same time as breast augmentation for more volume and projection, but many women benefit from a breast lift on its own. It can also be performed along with breast reduction. Women looking for a breast lift can also enhance the size and shape of the breasts with fat transfer instead of implants. Dr. Diktaban will go over your options in detail during your consultation.
Breast Lift Candidates
The breast lift is a great option for women who experienced
changes in their breasts during pregnancy or nursing, or who have naturally
flat breasts. Additionally, women who can benefit from a breast lift often have
breasts that:
- Are pendulous but normal-sized
- Are too soft or have little substance
- Have nipples that point downward
- Are not symmetrical in size, shape, or feel
A breast lift does not necessarily add volume, so you should consider the use of implants or fat transfer if you want larger breasts. As with any surgery, you should be in general good health and able to undergo surgery.
What Happens During a Breast Lift?
A breast lift can be performed with general anesthesia at our in-house, certified surgical suite. Dr. Diktaban will discuss your options for incision types during your consultation, which includes a periareolar incision, lollipop incision, or anchor pattern. These follow the natural contours and pigmentation of the breasts so that any scarring will be minimally visible with the right aftercare steps. During the procedure, an incision will be performed, and the underlying breast tissue will be lifted and reshaped. Implants or fat can be inserted if you choose either one or both options. Then, the breast is lifted into a more upright position and any excess skin is trimmed away. The result is perky, youthful breasts.
Breast Lift Incision Types
Anchor Lift
The anchor lift incision is typically performed on patients who have significant sagging and excess skin. It is called an anchor lift because the incision resembles an upside down anchor. This incision is made around the areola, down the center of the breast, and along the inframammary fold. Although this incision creates the largest scar, it also allows the surgeon the most access to lift and reshape severely sagging breasts. This lift is sometimes performed in conjunction with a breast implant or fat grafting procedure.
Donut Lift
The Donut Lift, also known as circumareolar lift or periareolar mastopexy, is a type of breast lift that is typically performed on patients who have mild or moderate breast sagging. This incision is only made around the areola and results in minimal scarring. This lift is sometimes performed in conjunction with a breast implant or fat grafting procedure. This will be determined when you discuss your aesthetic goals with Dr. Diktaban.
Crescent Lift
The Crescent Lift is usually performed on patients who have very mild sagging of the breasts. The incision is made in a crescent shape along the top half of the patients areola. This incision produces a nearly invisible scar. This breast lift is often performed alongside a breast implant or fat grafting procedure. Combining a breast implant or fat grafting procedure with a crescent lift may be right for you and should be discussed in your consultation with Dr. Diktaban.
Lollipop Lift
The Lollipop lift, which is also known as vertical mastopexy, is generally performed on patients who have moderate breast sagging and volume loss. The incision is made along the circumference of the areola and down the center of the breast to the inframammary fold. This lift is sometimes performed in conjunction with a breast implant or fat grafting procedure. Dr. Diktaban can help you determine if the lollipop lift is right for you in your surgical consultation.
Results and Recovery
It can take several weeks for swelling to subside and your
incisions to heal. During this time, you should avoid extensive activity and
allow yourself plenty of rest. Immediately after your procedure, you’ll be
fitted with a supportive surgical bra and should wear this throughout your recovery.
Dr. Diktaban will provide care steps to follow for things like medications and
caring for your incisions. After a breast lift, you may still experience
changes in your breasts because of factors like weight gain or pregnancy, so
it’s important to discuss your future plans during your consultation.
Testimonials
The doctor is very knowledgeable and kind. His assistant was also very kind. Thank you for the nice experience- Maria”
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Cocktail Anesthesia
Cocktail anesthesia is Dr. Diktaban’s preferred tool for ensuring your procedure is relaxing and low-risk. Dr. Diktaban has used cocktail anesthesia for surgical procedures for over 10 years with resounding success. Patients are safe and comfortable during the entire procedure. It is predictable and consistent for men and women of all ages. There are no IVs or any tubes down your nose or throat. Patients describe the experience as “floating comfortably”. Patients are even allowed and instructed to have a light breakfast before coming to the office for their procedure. The cocktail anesthesia entails the ingestion of a few pills followed by two medicine injections into the arm. One big advantage with cocktail anesthesia is that during body contouring procedures, the patients are able to turn their body into different positions that enables Dr. Diktaban to sculpt their bodies in an enhanced manner. The following list of procedures can be performed under cocktail anesthesia: browlifts, facelifts, eyelid lifts, necklifts, liposuction, BBLs (buttock enlargement), fat transfer to the breasts, breast lifts, FaceTite, AccuTite, and BodyTite. Learn more about how cocktail anesthesia can transform your surgical experience during your consultation.
Schedule a Consultation
A breast lift can be an excellent way to enjoy your breasts again and feel comfortable with your figure and wardrobe. To meet with Dr. Diktaban and begin planning your breast lift procedure, contact our state-of-the-art office in Manhattan by calling or filling out our online form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a breast lift covered by insurance?
A breast lift by itself will not be covered by insurance since it is considered cosmetic.
Do I need a breast lift or just implants?
That question cannot be answered correctly without a photograph and examination. The location of the breast and the nipple along with the desired breast volume will greatly influence the choices.
Do you lose sensation with breast lift?
It is possible to lose sensation or have decreased sensation with any breast procedure. A breast lift will most likely preserve sensation more than a breast reduction operation.
Do you still have feeling in your nipples after breast lift?
Most of the time nipple sensation is preserved with a breast lift operation. It is still possible to lose nipple sensation with any breast operation.
How do you shower after a breast lift?
Every surgeon has their own routine as to when the incisions can get wet after surgery. The earliest time for showering would be 1 to 2 days after the surgery.
How long do breast lift results last?
The duration of the breast lift operation will depend on the technique used, whether or not implants were inserted, the genetics, the age, the elasticity of the breast skin and the general health to name a few factors.
How long does a breast lift last?
The duration of the breast lift operation will depend on the technique used, whether or not implants were inserted, the genetics, the age, the elasticity of the breast skin and the general health to name a few factors.
How long does a breast lift take?
A breast lift operation can take as short as 45 minutes and take as long as 3 hours. It will depend on whether or not breast implants are inserted at the same time along with the type of breast lifting technique.
How painful is a breast lift?
A breast lift operation alone is associated with minimal discomfort. Patients find that hard to believe until they undergo the operation.
How soon after breast lift can I exercise?
Exercising can probably resume 1 to 2 weeks after the breast lift operation depending on how you are healing and what type of exercises you will be doing. It would be highly recommended to wear a well-supported sports bra during all exercises. Very vigorous exercises will not be permitted for a few to several weeks.
Is getting a breast lift safe?
A breast lift operation by itself is only a skin operation that should not be considered risky especially if performed on a healthy patient. However, wound healing takes place on the skin even with a breast lift operation.
Will a breast lift reduce cup size?
A breast lift operation in and of itself will not reduce the cup size at all. A breast operation entails reducing the skin envelope around the breast tissue without removing breast tissue.
What types of breast lifts are there?
There are essentially 3 types of breast lifts depending on the size, shape and position of the breast. Each operation will leave a pattern of scars called the doughnut breast lift, lollipop breast lift and anchor breast lift.
What is a crescent breast lift?
The crescent breast lift entails a small removal of skin located above the nipple to achieve a slight to small elevation of the nipple alone. It has limited application in terms of breast lifting.
Will a breast lift remove stretch marks?
All of the breast lifting techniques entail a pattern of skin removal to make the skin envelope smaller and tighter around the breast tissue. Any stretch marks located within the skin removal pattern will be excised. Any stretch marks located outside of the pattern will remain and will be in different location on the breast.
Will breast lift affect breastfeeding?
The breast lifting operation alone will unlikely effect breastfeeding since it will entail tightening the skin envelope without involving the breast tissue. Breastfeeding is a complex hormonal condition in and of itself.
Does a breast lift leave scars?
There are essentially 3 types of breast lifts depending on the size, shape and position of the breast. Each operation will leave a pattern of scars called the doughnut breast lift, lollipop breast lift and anchor breast lift. The doughnut lift leaves a scar all the around the areolar. The lollipop lift is the same as the doughnut along with a vertical scar from the areolar down to the bottom of the breast. And finally, the anchor lift is the same as the lollipop and the additional transverse scar along the fold beneath the breast.
Does a breast lift make your nipples less sensitive?
Most of the time nipple sensation is preserved with a breast lift operation. It is still possible to lose nipple sensation with any breast operation.
Does insurance pay for breast lift?
A breast lift by itself will not be covered by insurance since it is considered cosmetic.
How long does it take for breast lift scars to heal?
In general, all skin scars including breast scars will go through 3 phases of wound healing. Breast scars will take up to 6 to 12 months to fully heal provided that there were no complications.
How much does breast lift cost?
The cost of a breast lift operation will vary greatly with the scope of work, the chosen technique, the surgeon, the facility and the type of anesthesia to name a few. A rough estimate would be from $2500 to $7500.
Will a breast lift make my breasts bigger?
A breast lift on its own won’t make your breasts larger in size. Although it can reshape and rejuvenate the appearance of your breasts, implants or fat transfer techniques are the best way to increase the size of your breasts if you want to.
Can a breast lift reposition my nipples?
Part of a breast lift procedure often includes repositioning and lifting the nipples and areolae. Additionally, a breast lift can reduce the size of large areolae for a more balanced appearance to each breast. Dr. Diktaban can discuss the specific steps of your procedure during a consultation at our New York City office.
What types of breast lift incisions are there?
There are generally three types of incisions used in the breast lift. They are:nnThe donut incision (around the areolae)nThe lollipop incision (around the areolae and down to the breast crease)nThe anchor incision (around the areolae, down to the breast crease, and horizontally along the inframammary fold)nnEach has its benefits and one may be better for you and your goals based on your existing anatomy. Dr. Diktaban can ensure you understand your surgical plan and best care steps to reduce scarring after surgery.
Can a breast lift create cleavage?
Cleavage is most often created by your clothing. However, having sufficiently perky and upright breasts can help make your cleavage more prominent. To get the cleavage you want, you may need to consider breast implants, and Dr. Diktaban can recommend your right options.
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