NJ & NY Metro Area
Chester, New Jersey
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Breast Lift New York Metro Area
If you’re considering a breast lift
Establishing perky breasts is a goal that Dr. Weinstein has an extraordinary ability to achieve for saggy or baggy breasts. Over the years, factors such as gain and loss of weight, use of oral contraception, pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman’s breasts. With increasing age as one expands and retracts the breasts with normal monthly swelling the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. Breast lift, or mastopexy,( sometimes combined with implants, fat augmentation or breast reduction) is a procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume—for example, after pregnancy—breast implants inserted in conjunction with mastopexy can increase both their firmness and their size. If you’re considering a breast lift, this quick outline will give you a basic understanding of the procedure—when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. It can’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to call 908 879 2222 to make a consultation and ask Dr. Weinstein if there is anything about the procedure you don’t understand.
The best candidates for breast lift
A breast lift can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Weinstein.
The best candidates for mastopexy are healthy, emotionally-stable women who are realistic about what the surgery can accomplish. The best results are usually achieved in women with small, sagging breasts. Breasts of any size can be lifted, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts.
Many women seek mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing have left them with stretched skin and less volume in their breasts. However, if you’re planning to have more children, it may be a good idea to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn’t interfere with breast-feeding), pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again and offset the results of the procedure.
Over time, a woman’s breasts begin to sag and the areolas become larger. All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk
Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there is always a possibility of complications or a reaction to the anesthesia. Bleeding and infection following a breast lift are uncommon, but they can cause scars to widen. You can reduce your risks by closely following Dr. Weinstein’s advice both before and after surgery.
Mastopexy does leave noticeable, permanent scars, although they’ll be covered by your bra or bathing suit. (Poor healing and wider scars are more common in smokers.) For your long term health and for the best results from this surgery it is best to completely stop smoking a minimum of two weeks prior to surgery. No breasts are perfectly symmetrical consequently results always show significant improvement, however some residual asymmetry is to be expected. All patients experience slight feeling change in the breasts, usually an increase in erotic sensation, on s rare occasion there can be permanent loss of feeling in your nipples or breasts.
Planning your surgery
In your initial consultation, it’s important to discuss your expectations frankly with Dr. Weinstein, and to listen to his or her opinion. Every patient-and every physician, as well-has a different view of what is a desirable size and shape for breasts.
Dr. Weinstein will examine your breasts and measure them while you’re sitting or standing. He will discuss the variables that may affect the procedure-such as your age, the size and shape of your breasts, and the condition of your skin-and whether an implant is advisable. You should also discuss where the nipple and areola will be positioned; they’ll be moved higher during the procedure, and should be approximately even with the crease beneath your breast.
Dr. Weinstein always describes the alternative procedures in detail, explaining their risks and limitations and making sure you understand the typical results. The anesthesia is usually general and performed as an outpatient procedure at Morristown Medical Center.
Don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Weinstein any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.
Preparing for your surgery
Depending on your age and family history, Dr. Weinstein may require you to have a mammogram (breast x-ray) before surgery. You’ll also get specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications.
While you’re making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days if needed.
Where your surgery will be performed
Your breast lift may be performed at Morristown Medical Center as an outpatient, or the Chester surgery center’s office-based facility. It’s usually done on an outpatient basis, for convenience.
Types of anesthesia
Breast lifts are usually performed under general anesthesia, which means you’ll sleep through the operation. In selected patients-particularly when a smaller incision is being made-Dr. Weinstein may use local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You’ll be awake but relaxed, and will feel minimal discomfort.
The surgery
Mastopexy usually takes one to three hours. Techniques vary, but the most common classic tried and true technique involves an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast. Dr Weinstein can sometimes use breast implants alone to lift breasts with a tiny incision. Another technique is a simple crescent lift which involves a crescent ellipse of skin removal above the areola. There are new suture methods that may prove to be effective in lifting saggy breasts through tiny incisions. Slightly more involved is the cirumareolar incision completely around the areola to lift the nipple location. The lollypop incision goes around the areola and underneath the areola down to the fold under the breasts. The technique that is best for your breasts will be recommended by Dr. Weinstein.
The classic technique of breast lift involves an incision that outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to reshape the breast. Stitches are usually located around the areola, in a vertical line extending downwards from the nipple area, and along the lower crease of the breast.
Incisions outline the area of skin to be removed and the new position for the nipple.
Skin formerly located above the nipple is brought down and together to reshape the breast. Sutures close the incisions, giving the breast its new contour. The lollypop technique is limited to areola and this vertical white line.
After surgery, the breasts are higher and firmer, with sutures usually located around the areola, below it, and in the crease under the breast.
Some patients, especially those with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions. One such procedure is the “doughnut (or concentric) mastopexy,” in which circular incisions are made around the areola, and a doughnut-shaped area of skin is removed. Or lollypop incision as described above. The inferior fold incision maybe added dependent on the needs of the individual patient.
If you’re having an implant inserted along with your breast lift, it will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue, or usually deeper, under the muscle of the chest wall.
After your surgery
After surgery, you’ll wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn’t be severe. Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved with medications prescribed by Dr. Weinstein.
Within a few days, the bandages or surgical bra will be replaced by a soft support bra. You’ll need to wear this bra around the clock for three to four weeks, over a layer of gauze. The stitches will be removed after a week or two.
If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day. Be careful not to tug at your skin in the process, and keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas.
You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by the swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. In some patients, however, it may last a year or more, and occasionally it may be permanent.
Getting back to normal
Healing is a gradual process. Although you may be up and about in a day or two, don’t plan on returning to work for a week or more, depending on how you feel. And avoid lifting anything over your head for three to four weeks. If you have any unusual symptoms, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Weinstein.
Dr. Weinstein will give you detailed instructions for resuming your normal activities. You may be instructed to avoid sex for a week or more, and to avoid strenuous sports for about a month. After that, you can resume these activities slowly. If you become pregnant, the operation should not affect your ability to breast-feed, since your milk ducts and nipples will be left intact.
Your new look
Dr. Weinstein will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible. Still, it’s important to remember that mastopexy scars are extensive and permanent. They often remain lumpy and red for months, then gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually fading to thin white lines. Fortunately, the scars can usually be placed so that you can wear even low-cut tops.
You should also keep in mind that a breast lift won’t keep you firm forever-the effects of gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight fluctuations will eventually take their toll again. Women who have implants along with their breast lift may find the results last longer.
Your satisfaction with a breast lift is likely to be greater if you understand the procedure thoroughly and if your expectations are realistic.
If your expectations are realistic, chances are you’ll be satisfied with your breast lift.