Breast Lift Surgery in Raleigh
A breast lift is a procedure aimed at rejuvenating and reshaping the breasts for a more youthful and uplifted appearance. Led by experienced plastic surgeons, North Raleigh Plastic Surgery combines advanced techniques with personalized care to address each individual’s unique aesthetic goals and concerns.
Whether you seek to address sagging breasts due to aging, pregnancy, or weight fluctuations, our team is committed to delivering exceptional results tailored to your needs. Explore our comprehensive services and discover how we can help you achieve the contours you desire with precision and artistry.
Definition of Breast Lift Surgery
Breast lift surgery, medically referred to as mastopexy, is a cosmetic procedure aimed at rejuvenating and reshaping the breasts by lifting and repositioning them to achieve a more youthful and elevated appearance. This surgical intervention is typically sought after to address ptosis, or sagging of the breasts, which can occur due to factors such as aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or genetic predisposition.
During the procedure, excess skin is removed, breast tissue is reshaped, and the nipples and areolas may be repositioned to create a more aesthetically pleasing contour. The goal of breast lift surgery is to restore firmness, symmetry, and proportion to the breasts, ultimately enhancing the patient’s self-confidence and body image.
“From consultation, surgery and now 4 weeks post op, I have been thoroughly impressed with Dr. Ortiz and his team. He has the best bedside manner and is highly skilled and knowledgeable. I am so excited to see the end result once the swelling goes down and my compression garment is off. I wanted to get rid of a few cellulite spots on my outer thighs, extra fat in my stomach post second baby and to decrease the appearance of saggy skin. I also had a breast lift thanks to having a baby 9 years later. The BBL did not hurt at all. I have maintained sitting on my sides or on my BBL pillow and do not regret getting it done. I was able to return to work after 2 weeks. I highly recommend Dr. Ortiz for your plastic surgery needs. You will not be disappointed.”
Imaginative
Ideal Candidates for Breast Lift Surgery
Ideal candidates for breast lift surgery are individuals who are bothered by the appearance of sagging breasts and desire a more youthful and uplifted contour. While there is no one-size-fits-all criteria, several characteristics typically define suitable candidates for this procedure:
Sagging Breasts
Good General Health
Stable Weight
Realistic Expectations
Non-Smokers
Completed Childbearing
Emotional Well-being
Willingness to Follow Post-Operative Instructions
Ultimately, the decision to undergo breast lift surgery should be made after careful consideration of personal goals, medical history, and consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon.
Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery
Breast lift surgery offers numerous benefits to individuals seeking to rejuvenate and enhance the appearance of their breasts. While the specific advantages may vary depending on each patient’s unique goals and circumstances, several common benefits include the following.
Restored Youthful Appearance
One of the primary benefits of breast lift surgery is the restoration of a more youthful and uplifted breast contour. By removing excess skin, reshaping breast tissue, and repositioning the nipples and areolas, the procedure can reverse the effects of sagging and create a firmer, perkier bustline.
Improved Breast Symmetry
Breast ptosis (sagging) often leads to asymmetry between the breasts, with one breast appearing lower or more droopy than the other. Breast lift surgery can address this imbalance by lifting and reshaping both breasts to achieve greater symmetry and harmony in size, shape, and position.
Enhanced Breast Projection
In addition to lifting the breasts, mastopexy can also improve breast projection, or how far the breasts project forward from the chest wall. By reshaping the breast tissue and repositioning the nipples, the procedure can create a more aesthetically pleasing profile with increased fullness and projection.
Increased Clothing Options
Sagging breasts can limit clothing options and make it challenging to find well-fitting bras and clothing. Following breast lift surgery, patients often enjoy the ability to wear a wider range of clothing styles, including low-cut tops, swimsuits, and form-fitting attire, with confidence and comfort.
Boosted Self-Confidence
Many individuals experience a significant boost in self-confidence and body image following breast lift surgery. By addressing concerns about breast sagging and achieving a more youthful and attractive appearance, patients often feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies, leading to improved overall well-being and quality of life.
Long-lasting Results
While individual results may vary, breast lift surgery typically provides long-lasting improvements in breast shape and contour. With proper post-operative care and maintenance, the results of mastopexy can endure for many years, allowing patients to enjoy the benefits of their enhanced breast appearance well into the future.
The Difference Between Breast Lift Surgery vs. Breast Reduction
When looking at breast lift vs breast reduction surgery, breast lift surgery focuses on lifting and reshaping sagging breasts to restore a more youthful contour, while breast reduction surgery specifically aims to reduce breast size and alleviate associated symptoms. Both procedures address different concerns and goals, with breast lift targeting sagging and breast reduction targeting excessive breast volume.
Consultation and Assessment for Breast Lift Surgery
During the consultation for breast lift surgery, patients undergo a thorough assessment of their medical history and aesthetic goals, followed by a comprehensive physical examination to evaluate breast size, shape, and degree of ptosis.
Dr. Ortiz or Dr. Jones discusses various surgical techniques, potential risks, and expected outcomes, while also addressing patient concerns and questions. Customized treatment plans are developed based on individual needs, with consideration given to additional procedures if desired.
Surgical Technique is Used for Breast Lift
Breast lift surgery encompasses several techniques tailored to address varying degrees of breast ptosis (sagging) and achieve desired aesthetic outcomes. The following are common breast lift incision options and techniques, each designed to address specific concerns and achieve optimal breast contour.
Crescent Lift or Periareolar "Donut" Lift
The crescent lift involves a small incision made around the upper half of the areola (nipple area). This technique is suitable for patients with mild breast ptosis and minimal excess skin. It is often used to elevate the nipple-areola complex slightly and provide subtle reshaping of the breasts. While this technique offers minimal scarring, it is best suited for patients with minimal breast sagging.
Vertical "Lollipop" Lift
The vertical lift, also known as the lollipop lift, involves two incisions: one around the areola and another vertically from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold (breast crease). This technique is suitable for moderate to severe breast ptosis, providing significant elevation and reshaping of the breasts. The vertical lift allows for more extensive tissue reshaping and repositioning, resulting in improved breast projection and contour.
Inverted T or "Anchor" Lift
The inverted T or anchor lift is the most extensive breast lift technique, involving three incisions: around the areola, vertically from the areola to the breast crease, and horizontally along the inframammary fold. This technique is ideal for patients with severe breast ptosis and significant excess skin. The anchor lift allows for maximal tissue reshaping and skin removal, resulting in dramatic lifting and reshaping of the breasts. While this technique produces the most scarring, it provides the most comprehensive correction for severe breast sagging.
Recovery Process Following Breast Lift
The recovery process following breast lift surgery is an essential phase during which patients must follow post-operative instructions to ensure optimal healing and long-term results. Initially, patients may experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising around the breasts, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication and wearing a supportive surgical bra.
It’s crucial to avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and overhead reaching during the initial weeks following surgery to prevent complications and allow the breasts to heal properly. Patients should also refrain from smoking and adhere to a healthy lifestyle to promote optimal healing and reduce the risk of complications.
While individual recovery timelines may vary, most patients can expect to return to work and light activities within a week or two, with full recovery typically achieved within several weeks to a few months.
Expected Results of Breast Lift Surgery
The expected results of breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, can vary depending on individual anatomy, surgical technique, and patient goals. However, common outcomes typically include a firmer, more youthful breast contour with improved symmetry and projection. By removing excess skin, reshaping breast tissue, and repositioning the nipples and areolas to a higher position on the breast mound, the procedure effectively addresses sagging and creates a lifted appearance.
Patients often experience a boost in self-confidence and satisfaction with their breast appearance, allowing them to enjoy a wider range of clothing options and increased comfort in their bodies.
Common Procedures to Combine with a Breast Lift
Combining breast lift surgery with additional procedures can often provide comprehensive enhancement to achieve desired aesthetic goals. Common procedures that may be combined with a breast lift include:
- Breast Augmentation
- Breast Reduction
- Breast Asymmetry Correction
- Liposuction
- Tummy Tuck(Abdominoplasty)
- Arm Lift(Brachioplasty)
- Thigh Lift
The Cost of Breast Lift Surgery
The cost of a breast lift depends on your unique situation and the technique used. A breast lift procedure with North Raleigh Plastic Surgery has different price ranges.
Common Breast Lift Surgery Questions
On the day of your surgery, you should plan to spend approximately 5 hours at our surgery center. A breast lift itself takes approximately 3 1/2 hours and the remainder of the time will be spent administering anesthesia and preparing you to go home.
Our licensed anesthetist administers IV sedation for breast lifts.
Like any surgery, there is a risk of scarring after a breast lift. A crescent lift leaves minimal scarring that is hidden by pigment changes between the skin of the breast and the areola. Other breast lift techniques may leave thin horizontal or vertical scars on the breasts. These scars will fade over time and after one year, should be much less noticeable.
Like any surgical procedure, breast lift surgery carries potential risks and complications, including scarring, loss of nipple sensation, and loss of ability to breast feed.
You will have a minimum of 3 appointments with Dr. Ortiz or Dr. Jones after your breast augmentation: one appointment a week after the surgery, one appointment at 2 months post-surgery, and the final appointment at 6 months after surgery. If you need to see your surgeon at any time between these appointments, please call us at 919-532-2270.
The cost of your breast lift includes all pre-op and post-op appointments, anesthesia, the surgery and surgical materials, as well as any post-op compression garments. Prescription pain medication is not covered in the cost of surgery and is not dispensed by North Raleigh Plastic Surgery.
We require a payment of 25% of the total cost up front to secure your surgery date. The remaining balance must be paid in full no later than two weeks before the surgery takes place. While most cosmetic surgeries are not covered by insurance, we offer a cash discount and accept Care Credit and all major credit cards.
Contact Our Raleigh Surgeons for More Information on Breast Lift Procedures
The vast majority of women whose breasts have begun to sag long for them to be restored back to their perky, youthful state. Fortunately, eliminating the saggy appearance of your breasts, restoring their youthfulness, and boosting your self-confidence is all possible with a Raleigh breast lift surgeon.
Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Jones has successfully performed countless breast lift procedures to help women improve their figure and feel more youthful and confident.
Schedule your breast lift consultation today to discover how our Raleigh plastic surgery center can individually help you lift and restore your breasts, as well as boost your self-confidence.
Give us a call at 919-532-2270 or complete our easy-to-use online contact form below.