Breast Lift / Mastopexy in Philadelphia

Actual Patient

• What is a breast lift?
• Am I a candidate for a breast lift (mastopexy)?
• What is the breast lift procedure like?
• How long is recovery from a breast lift?
• What will my breast lift results be like?

The problem of sagging, deflated breasts can arise due to time, gravity, and transformative physical changes such as pregnancy, nursing, and weight gain (or loss). Any combination or single one of these factors contributes to the loss of skin elasticity. And as the collagen breaks down in the skin, it can no longer support the firm, perky, high-on-the-chest breast profile you may have had when you were younger. To address these changes and meet your goals for your breast shape and size, Philadelphia board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brannon Claytor offers a breast lift.

What is a breast lift?

Mastopexy, or breast lift, is a surgical procedure for lifting and reshaping sagging breasts. By trimming excess skin and tightening supporting tissue, breasts can be made to sit higher on the chest and be firmer to the touch. In addition, the nipple and areola can be repositioned or resized to further enhance breast appearance. This procedure can be performed alone or in combination with a breast augmentation, which can safely be combined in one operation to help to restore fullness for women who also desire more volume or shape added to their natural breast tissues. A breast lift is also often included in a full mommy makeover—a customized set of procedures, such as breast surgery, tummy tuck, and liposuction—that restores your pre-pregnancy shape.

Am I a good candidate for a breast lift, or mastopexy?

An eligible breast lift candidate is in good overall health, maintains a stable weight they are happy with, and has realistic expectations about what a breast lift can do for their individual anatomy. Women who choose to undergo this procedure tend to have one or more of the following cosmetic concerns about their breasts:

• Sagging breasts
• Breasts that have lost shape or volume
• Breasts that are flat or elongated
• Nipples which are descended on the chest wall
• Asymmetry

Breast lift is considered to be a safe and effective procedure, but it is critical to consult with a board certification plastic surgeon to know with certainty that you are a good candidate. The best way to determine if you are a good is to schedule your personal consultation at our Main Line office with Dr. Claytor. During this meeting, Dr. Claytor will review your medical history and you will discuss your goals for your breasts. He will examine you and explain what you can expect if you decide to undergo a breast lift with us; his goal is to help set reasonable goals and expectation for the post-operative appearance. You will also have the chance to look at extensive before and after photos of Dr. Claytor’s previous patients to get a sense of what results are possible through this surgery, as well as of Dr. Claytor’s artfulness as a surgeon.

Should women who are pregnant or plan to be pregnant wait before undergoing a breast lift?

Women planning to have children are advised to postpone surgery since pregnancy and nursing can counteract its effects by stretching the skin. However, the procedure should not affect your ability to breastfeed.

What happens during the breast lift procedure?

Mastopexy is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning that you will be released and go home with a trusted adult the same day as your surgical procedure. Breast lift is performed under general anesthesia, so you will be asleep for the entirety of your procedure. A breast lift usually takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on the details of your procedure and whether or not related procedures are also performed at the same time. Depending on the size and shape of the breasts, as well as the degree of sagging and amount of excess skin, the scars will likely be around the nipple-areola area. In cases where more excess skin is needed to be removed, the scars may need to extend vertically down to the inframammary fold and in some cases for an inverted “T” with incisions along the underside of the breast in the inframammary fold.

Where are incisions located for a breast lift?

There are three types of incisions commonly used to perform a breast lift:

• Periareolar incisions: If you have small enough breasts, you may be able to have a single incision around the circumference of the nipple-areolar complex, called a periareolar incision.
• Lollipop incisions: For many patients, in addition to the periareolar incision, another incision is made from the based of the areola extending down to the bottom breast fold.
• Anchor incisions (inverted T incisons): Finally, patients who have a significant amount of ptosis (the clinical term for sagging) will likely require an incision pattern called inverted “T” incisions, or “anchor”-shaped incisions, which extend around the areola, down to the inframammary fold (or the crease along the base of your breasts), and then across the inframammary fold, as well. This incision pattern allows Dr. Claytor to address more ptosis (or drooping) and to remove more soft tissues in order to shape the breast into a firmer, more youthful shape raised higher on the chest wall.

How long is recovery from mastopexy surgery?

For a few days following your mastopexy procedure, you are likely to have bruising, soreness, and swelling. Your breasts will likely be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a surgical bra. You will be able to shower within a few days following surgery. Stitches are usually absorbable, but in some cases you will have sutures that need to be removed during one of your follow-up appointments. Most patients return to work within a week. Exercise and other strenuous activity should be limited for about a month.

When will I see breast lift results?

Breast lift produces immediate results. The new nipple position redefines the shape and aesthetics of the breast with a more youthful appearance.

Schedule your breast lift consultation with Dr. Claytor today

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brannon Claytor has over 15 years of experience offering cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, and serves patients from Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, Main Line, and the surrounding areas here at Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery. A member of The Aesthetic Society’s Board of Trustees, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Dr. Claytor is dedicated to continuously advancing his surgical techniques and teaching his methods to colleagues at national meetings. In addition to his surgical work, Dr. Claytor the Chief of Plastic Surgery for Main Line Health Systems, and is a Clinical Associate Professor at Lankenau Institute of Medical Research.

To learn if a breast lift may be right for you, or to get answers to your questions, please call our Bryn Mawr office at (610) 527-4833 or contact us online to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Claytor. We look forward to helping you reach your goals!

Video: Dr. Claytor explains how to achieve a scarless breast lift

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