The Science Behind Breast Lift Surgery
The Anatomy of the Breast: What is Being Lifted?
Before understanding the science behind breast lift surgery, you should understand the anatomy of the breast. The breast primarily comprises fat tissue (responsible for size and shape) and glandular tissue (responsible for milk production). The skin surrounds the breast tissue and plays a crucial role in maintaining its shape.
As we age, the skin and ligaments that support the breast, “breast parenchyma,” can become stretched or weakened. This, coupled with the loss of breast volume, leads to sagging breasts or breast ptosis. Also, factors like weight fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding, genetics, and even breast cancer treatments can impact breast firmness and shape.
Breast lift surgery done by expert plastic surgeons aims to fix these changes by reshaping and tightening the breast tissue, removing extra skin, and repositioning the breast mound to a youthful and elevated position on the chest wall.
How Breast Lift Surgery Works: The Science of Mastopexy
Remember that the breast lift procedure is all about reshaping the underlying breast tissue and removing excess skin to enhance the firmness of your breasts. It’s all about restoring a youthful appearance without changing the size of your breasts. And you know what? Sometimes, you can also combine a breast lift with breast reduction or augmentation to get the size and shape you want.
The Process of Breast Lift Surgery
- A breast lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia. This is done to make sure that you remain comfortable throughout the surgery.
- Your cosmetic or plastic surgeon will choose an incision type based on , degree of sagging, your breast size and the amount of excess skin.
- Common incision patterns include periareolar, vertical incision, and anchor incision.
- Your surgeon will lift and reshape the breast tissue, ensuring the breast mound is positioned correctly on the chest wall.
- During this process, your surgeon will also take care to avoid damaging breast tissue, which is crucial for maintaining breast sensation and function.
- In most cases, the areola and nipple are repositioned to a higher, more natural location.
- In some cases, if the areola has become enlarged due to stretching, it may be reduced in size.
- After the necessary adjustments, your plastic surgeon will close the incisions using sutures.
- For better and quicker healing, these incisions may be reinforced with surgical tape or adhesives.
Mastopexy vs. Breast Reduction
“Breast lift” and “breast reduction” surgeries both change the shape of your breasts, but they have different purposes. A breast lift mainly focuses on reshaping and lifting your breast without changing its size much. On the other hand, breast reduction surgery involves removing a lot of breast tissue to make your breasts smaller. If someone has huge and heavy breasts that cause back pain, breast reduction might be the best option because it not only lifts the breasts but also reduces their size.
What is the Role of Breast Implants in a Breast Lift?
- A breast lift reshapes and tightens existing breast tissue but does not increase breast volume.
- Going for a breast lift with breast augmentation using implants can provide a more youthful appearance.
- Breast implants can be placed below or above your chest muscle, depending on the result you need.
- Combining these surgical procedures fixes both sagging and loss of volume, allowing you to achieve your desired aesthetic outcome.
Breast Sensation & the Chest Wall
One of the main concerns for many women considering a breast lift surgery is the impact on breast sensation. The nerves that supply sensation to your areola and nipple run through the breast tissue. A skilled plastic surgeon and their team must carefully navigate around these nerves during the surgical procedure to avoid disrupting them. Maintaining breast sensation is important for women concerned about their physical sensitivity or who plan to have kids and want to breastfeed in the future.
The chest wall is also important when it comes to the final result of the surgery. The breast mound must be correctly positioned on the chest wall to create a natural-looking result. Plastic surgeons often use pre-surgery imaging and measurements to confirm that the breast mound will be proportionate to the rest of the body.
What to Expect in the Post-Surgery Recovery Period
- After undergoing breast lift surgery, you are generally required to wear a surgical bra for support and to reduce swelling.
- Heavy lifting, sports, going to the gym, and strenuous activities must be avoided for at least 4 to 6 weeks to avoid straining the healing tissue.
- It’s also essential to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions post-operation to minimize all the risks of complications, such as scarring and infection.
- The conclusive results of the breast lift procedure may take several months to fully reveal themselves.
- As swelling subsides after the surgery, your breasts settle into their new shape. If you want any complications, pain, or discomfort after surgery, get in touch with your surgeon immediately.
Breast Lift Surgery as Part of Breast Cancer Reconstruction
While breast lift surgery is primarily cosmetic surgery, some women who have undergone breast cancer treatments, such as mastectomies or lumpectomies, may consider the procedure as part of their reconstructive surgery. In such situations, a breast lift procedure may be used to restore the natural shape of the breast following cancer treatment. It’s important for you to consult with both your plastic surgeon and oncologist to ensure that any surgery does not interfere with future breast cancer screenings or treatments.
Conclusion: The Science Behind Breast Lift Surgery
The surgery to lift your breasts involves a deep and right understanding of how the breasts work, how they heal, and being very careful during the surgery. Whether it’s to fix your sagging breasts, make them fuller, or make them smaller, this surgery can help improve the shape of your breath and your confidence.
Women who are thinking about getting this surgery should talk to certified and experienced plastic surgeons. These surgeons can customize the surgery to fit your body and what you want your breasts to look like. Whether you’re thinking about getting a breast lift, making your breasts smaller, or making them bigger, knowing how breast lift surgery works can help you make the decision that’s right for you, your body, and your health!
Call for Expert Breast Surgeries & Cosmetic Solutions in Johnson City, TN
Dr. Jim Brnatner, M.D., is your trusted expert for all breast surgeries, including breast reduction, breast implants, breast augmentation, and breast lifts. Based in Johnson City, Tennessee, our clinic specializes in a number of cosmetic procedures, from facial rejuvenation and body lifts to tummy tucks and liposuction. We also offer anti-aging solutions, laser and light-based treatments, Thermi services, acne and scar removal, as well as Brachioplasty, otoplasty, eyelid surgery, and more. If you’re in or near Johnson City and looking for the best plastic surgeon for breast surgeries, give us a call today!
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I highly recommend Dr. Brantner to any woman that wants a breast augmentation. I'm very pleased with my results. they look amazing and feel wonderful. If I ever need anything done in the future, I will sure be back to see Dr. Brantner. Thank you so much for taking good care of me!
Dr. Brantner and his associates are all amazing! They are very kind, smart, and honest people I highly recommend Dr. Brantner. They took great care of me and my needs from start to finish.
Dr. Brantner is a highly skilled surgeon. I am so happy that I decided to go to him. After being in a car accident my nasal bones and surrounding bones had to be reconstructed. The first surgeon who worked on me did a terrible job and had zero bedside manner. That is when I sought out Dr. Branner, he not only did an amazing job fixing everything the first Doctor messed up, he also made it look better than it did originally. I would highly recommend him to anyone.
friendly and he takes time to answer any questions I may have and was even so kind as to take a phone call from me and he alleviated all concerns in a kind, gentle manner. Dr. Brantner and his staff were absolutely fantastic!!!!!! They made me feel soooooo comfortable before and after surgery. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to have a breast reduction.
I had BR surgery 2months ago, I had the anchor procedure. I had absolutely no problems at all, no pain, very little swelling and the results are amazing, with the added bonus that my back , neck, and shoulders no longer hurt. Even at just 2months my scars are hardly noticeable. I would recommend Dr Brantner to anyone , he and his staff are wonderful . I could not have had a better experience.
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I went to Dr Brantner for reconstruction revision. I'm very, very pleased with the results. The staff were wonderful. I can't thank them enough for taking care of my surgery and making me feel and look so much better!!! I would highly recommend Dr Brantner.
Great surgeon! Every employee in the office is wonderful and helpful. I have nothing but great things to say about Dr Brantner, Win, and all of the staff.
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