Breast Lift
A breast lift at our San Antonio practice can improve the appearance of drooping breasts. Serving patients in the South Texas area, including Austin, our breast lift surgeon can make the bustline more firm and "perky," eliminating excess skin and sagginess of the breasts. Dr. Constance Barone is an experienced physician known the world over for her expertise and skill with breast surgery.
Achieving a More Youthful Figure
As the body ages, the skin loses its elasticity, causing the breasts to lose firmness and sag. This common condition can be exacerbated by age, genetic disposition, weight loss, and pregnancy and nursing.
Breast lift, medically referred to as mastopexy, literally lifts the breasts and reshapes them, giving them a fuller, "perkier," and more youthful appearance. Breast lift combined with breast implants at our San Antonio cosmetic surgery facility can offer an even more effective result, adding volume to the bustline in addition to tightening the area and eliminating excess skin.
Should I Consider a Breast Lift?
A woman's breast are an integral part of her femininity. When women feel uncomfortable with the look of their breasts, it can cause feelings of self-consciousness. Patients may also find it difficult to find bras that adequately support their breasts, and may have difficulty finding clothing that fits properly.
Breast lift surgery is an excellent option for women from all walks of life who want perkier, more youthful breasts. Candidates include women who:
- Have been pregnant and experienced fluctuation in breast size, causing the breasts to droop.
- Have breastfed children and experienced sagging and some stretching.
- Have lost significant weight, leaving the breasts with excess skin and less fat within.
- Have asymmetrical nipples or breasts.
- Have naturally low-lying nipples or cone-shaped breasts.
- Have experienced sagging breasts as they age.
- Are undergoing a breast augmentation and would like to have their breasts lifted at the same time.
This treatment is often used as part of a mommy makeover, and is done in conjunction with other treatments such as abdominoplasty or liposuction. It is also an excellent option for patients who have experienced a great amount of weight loss, or who simply are predisposed to have sagging breasts.
Breast Lift Results
Planning for Treatment
During your initial consultation, Dr. Barone will discuss with you, openly and honestly, all aspects of the breast lift procedure. Dr. Barone encourages her patients to always communicate their concerns and questions. At the consultation, the breasts will be examined and measured, and Dr. Barone will explain every step of the operation and what will happen afterward. She will also explain the costs and financing options involved with breast lift, as well as risks and limitations of the surgery.
Preparation
Dr. Constance Barone will give you specific dietary instructions and advice on medications or vitamins to take or avoid prior to surgery. A mammogram may be required for breast lift, depending on your age and family history. You will also need to arrange for someone to take you home after the procedure, and to take care of you for a few days, if necessary.
The Breast Lift Procedure
For all of our South Texas and Austin-area patients, breast lift surgery can be performed at our San Antonio facility or at one of our affiliated hospitals on an outpatient basis. Most patients will be given general anesthesia for the procedure.
The most common incision pattern used in breast lift surgery is the inverted T-shape, or Wise pattern mastopexy. In this technique, Dr. Barone will create an incision around the areola as well as an incision from the areola down to the bottom of the breast. These incisions allow her to remove excess tissue, and create a more desirable breast shape once the incisions are closed. She will then remove excess skin and move the nipple and areola to a higher position on the breast. Next, the surrounding skin will be tightened and brought down to effectively reshape the breasts and make them firmer. Patients should expect scarring from breast lift, but Dr. Barone is highly adept at making residual scarring as minimal as possible so they will be barely noticeable. Plus, scars will fade over time. The entire procedure generally lasts about one and a half to three and a half hours.
Recovery & Aftercare
Some bruising, swelling, and numbness after the breast lift procedure is to be expected, and should fade completely within two to three weeks as the breasts heal. Pain and discomfort can be alleviated with medication. Some patients have reported areas of permanent numbness, however this is very rare. Patients can typically resume normal daily routines about a week after surgery. Prior to performing breast lift, Dr. Barone will explain the activities you should avoid during your recovery.
Following a breast lift, our clients have reported they have increased confidence and an easier time finding bras and clothing that flatter their breasts. As with every plastic surgery, women should explore the benefits of a breast lift in addition to the risks and cost of this surgery.
How Much Does Breast Lift Cost?
Dr. Barone performs awake breast lift surgeries which is more cost effective than using general anesthesia. Our practice offers breast lifts starting at $4,000, although final cost is dependent upon several factors. During an in-depth consultation with Dr. Barone, patients will gain a better understanding of breast lift cost.
Awake or Local Breast Lift Procedures
At the cosmetic surgery centers of Constance Barone, M.D., we use awake or local surgery techniques whenever possible for the benefit of our patients. During your initial consultation with Dr. Barone, she will discuss with you all aspects of the procedure and whether awake (or local) surgery is a viable option for you. Depending on your health and the complexity of the procedure that you are electing for, it may be possible to perform your breast lift surgery utilizing local anesthetic. The benefits of local anesthesia over general anesthesia are many:
- The effects of local anesthetic last for several hours after the surgery is complete, providing valuable pain relief.
- Local anesthetic is associated with less blood loss and less post-surgery bruising.
- Local anesthesia typically results in faster patient recovery with less discomfort (nausea, for example).
- The patient is awake during her procedure and thus can be a part of the process.
With awake or local surgery, the treatment area first is anesthetized, at which point Dr. Barone begins the mastopexy procedure with you in an alert and cognizant state. Thanks to the local anesthesia, you will not feel pain, touch or temperature in the affected area, but will still be able to communicate with the doctor and possess a feeling of control. Our patients who have undergone awake or local surgery have had positive reactions, due in part to this feeling of being involved in the surgical process.
What Are the Benefits of Breast Lifts?
Breast lift surgery creates a more youthful, uplifted bust line that looks natural. The benefits of this treatment include:
- Breasts that look and feel fuller and more supple
- A rejuvenated, more youthful appearance
- The removal of excess, sagging skin
- Better fitting clothing
- More self-confidence in low cut tops, swimsuits, and other clothing
- Boosted overall self-esteem
What Are the Risks of a Breast Lift?
Like any plastic surgery, a breast lift surgery comes with both risks and benefits. Before you undergo a breast lift, Dr. Barone will speak with you about potential complications of this treatment and answer any questions you have. You greatly diminish your level of risk during surgery when you select a skilled surgeon like Dr. Barone to perform your surgery.
The risks involved in breast lift surgery can include:
- Loss of nipple sensation
- Numbness and nerve damage in the breasts
- Difficulty or inability to breast feed
- Large or uneven scars
- Excessive bleeding
- Asymmetrical breasts
Dr. Barone has an excellent track record of patient satisfaction and safety. We encourage our patients to review our patient testimonials and before and after gallery in addition to learning more about the benefits and risks of this surgery.
Schedule Your Consultation
Breast lift, performed at our San Antonio plastic surgery practice, can restore your breasts to a youthful, firm position and provide new contours to your body. Serving the South Texas and Austin area, our breast lift surgeon looks forward to helping you improve the appearance of your bustline. Contact our plastic surgery center with any questions you may have, or to set up a consultation. Breast lift can be combined with BOTOX® Cosmetic, face lift, or Liposuction for a complete aesthetic makeover.
