Breast Lift (Mastopexy) in Baton Rouge

Breasts may sag and lose shape and firmness as a result of pregnancy, breast feeding, weight loss, age and heredity. Loss of skin elasticity may result in a drooping breast appearance. A Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is a surgical procedure that raises, reshapes, and firms the breasts to give an uplifted youthful breast contour.

What a Breast Lift Will Not Improve

A Breast Lift will not increase the size of the breasts or change the volume of the breasts. If you also want to have larger and fuller breasts, Breast Augmentation may be done at the time of the Breast Lift.

Indications for Breast Lift

• The breasts have a sagging and pendulous shape and appearance
• Nipples and areola point downward particularly if they are below the crease of the breast
• Breasts that have developed differently with one breast noticeably lower than the other

Types of Breast Lifts

A decision about the type of Breast Lift will be based upon a full explanation of the indications for each of the different procedures, the advantages and disadvantages of each, possible complications, and your expectations and goals. A greater degree of sagging will require a more extensive Breast Lift procedure to achieve the optimal result.

The type of Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is a very individualized procedure and will be determined by:

• The shape and size of your breasts
• The amount of sagging (ptosis) of the breasts and nipples, especially relative to the lower crease of your breasts
• The size of the areola
• The amount of skin laxity ie the amount of excess skin and the quality and the elasticity of the skin

Peri-Areola Mastopexy

This procedure is performed when there is only a very minimal degree of sagging and the major goal is to elevate the nipple areola. The incision is limited to the upper half of the areola. A crescent of skin is removed from above the areola. The nipple areola is inset into the upper edge of this crescent. This does not improve excess skin and laxity.

Circum-Areola Mastopexy, Binelli Lift or “Doughnut” Mastopexy

When there is a desire to change the shape and or size of the areola in addition to lifting and elevating the nipple areola this procedure is performed. Since the incision extends around the entire circumference of the areola, this is a slightly more extensive operation than the Peri Areola Mastopexy.

“Lolipop” or Vertical Limb or “Keyhole” Mastopexy

This procedure is performed when there is a sagging or low position of the nipple areola in addition to a moderate sagging of the breasts and skin laxity. An incision is made around the entire circumference of the areola as well as a vertical incision from the lower edge of the areola down to the crease of the breast. The nipple areola as well as breast tissue is re-positioned and lifted.

“Anchor or Inverted T” or Full Mastopexy

When there is a large amount of excess skin and laxity with the breast tissue and the nipple areola sagging well below the crease of the breast and a very pendulous breast appearance, a full Mastopexy will most likely be necessary. This type of Mastopexy will not only lift and elevate the breast tissue and nipple areola but also reshape the breast. Excess skin is removed and repositioned and skin flaps are used to reshape the breasts. Incisions for this type of breast lift are around the circumference of the areola, a vertical incision from the lower portion of the areola to breast crease, and an incision in the natural crease of the breast.

What to Expect Following Breast Lift Surgery

Most sutures placed for your Breast Lift are long-lasting absorbable sutures that do no need to be removed. These are placed to create and give support to the new position and contour of your breasts. These sutures also help prevent spreading and widening of the incisions with improved scar appearance. A few non absorbable skin sutures are also placed that will subsequently be removed after initial healing. A type of skin glue is applied to all of the incisions to provide immediate skin closure and allow you to shower within 24-48 hours after surgery.

A bra is worn to decrease swelling and support the breasts during healing.

Most woman can return to work within a week after surgery. Light activity such as the stationary bicycle may be resumed in about two weeks.

Final healing and fading of the incisions takes about a year. Final scar appearance can be improved with pressure massage during this time. You will be instructed regarding massage of the incisions so that you achieve your best result.

Breast lift surgery

Consultation with Dr. Williams will explain and answer the options of Breast Lift surgery that can help you attain the appearance you desire, please contact our office in Baton Rouge today.