As women have children, breastfeed, and simply grow older, the effects of childbirth and time can be seen on their breasts in the form of sagging. In response to sagging, a plastic surgery procedure known as a breast lift, or mastoepxy, can be performed to restore to their more natural and appealing shape and location, higher-up on the chest.
This simple breast enhancement procedure can restore an older or sagging chest back to a youthful shape and position.
A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Breast enhancement is often achieved in older women through a combination of a breast lift as well as other surgical procedures such as reduction or enlargement.
The absolute best way to determine if a lift, or other plastic surgery procedure is right for you, is to work with a plastic surgeon who is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This certification will ensure that your plastic surgeon is both skilled and experienced and can provide you with the best surgical outcome possible.
To find a Board Certified plastic surgeons in your area contact the American Board of Plastic Surgery or your local hospital for a referral.
Pre-Operative Preparations
A breast lift procedure, requires the following preparations for surgery:
* A full medical history and physical including assorted laboratory tests and a mammogram
* Instructions to stop smoking at least 8 weeks prior to your surgery date
* Adjustments to your current medication regime
* Advice to make sure you have enough help at home for your post-operative recovery period
* Information on the location of your surgery (accredited office-based surgical center, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital) and your expected stay in the hospital
* Instructions to follow on the day of your surgery
* Instructions for your post-operative care and follow-up requirements
- The Procedure
The procedure itself is rather quick to perform when you consider the much longer surgical times of a reduction or augmentation surgeries.
This surgery is performed in a sterile operating room under general anesthesia. An anchor-shaped incision will be made through a circular cut around the areola and a straight incision going from the areola down to the crease area.
Your plastic surgeon will use this incision to remove any excess skin and to reposition the areola higher. Once the procedure is completed the incision is then sutured closed and you will be placed in a tight surgical bra or bandage to help reduce swelling in the days following your procedure.
- The Recovery
Immediately following your surgery, you will be required to continue to wear tight bandages or a surgical bra. Once this is removed you will then be fitted with a softer support bra which you will need to wear at all times.
You will be prescribed pain medication to take for any post-operative pain or discomfort you may experience.
After two weeks post-operation you will need to meet with your plastic surgeon in their office to have any stitches removed and to allow them to evaluate your healing.
While a breast lift is a fairly simple and straight-forward surgical procedure, it is major surgery and you should only consider a highly skilled and experienced Board Certified plastic surgeon.
For women in Washington DC, breast lift information can be found at Center for Plastic Surgery. Their board certified plastic surgeons have an aesthetic skill for natural, youthful looking results. They offer information, before and after pictures, and financing options at http://www.cpsdcos.com.