Breast Lift
A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. As women age, their skin elasticity tends to decrease, which can cause the breasts to lose their natural shape and firmness. Breast lift procedures performed in Rapid City, SD, by Dr. Mary Snyder elevate women's breasts and give them a more youthful appearance.
Reasons for Considering a Breast Lift
Women of all ages choose breast lift for their own personal reasons, which commonly include:
- Elevating sagging caused by the effects of aging and gravity.
- Firming the breasts that have lost substance due to pregnancy and subsequent breast-feeding.
- Realigning nipples/areolas if they point down or to the side.
- Restoring natural suppleness after weight loss.
For an overall enhanced breast appearance, many of Dr. Snyder's patients from locales such as Gillette, WY, combine breast lift procedures with breast augmentation with implants in Rapid City, SD. Women often combine breast lift and breast reduction procedures as well.
Meet Dr. Snyder
Dr. Snyder is certified by both the American Board
of Plastic Surgery and the American Board
of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
General Procedure
The breast lift surgical procedure usually takes 1.5 to 3 hours. Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-like incision along the underside of the breast. The incision goes around the area where skin will be removed, thus defining how the nipple will be relocated. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved into a higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is brought down and together to reshape 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. Recent innovations in breast lift techniques include minimal incision techniques and nipple sensation reducing procedures.
If the patient is having breast enlargement along with the breast lift, the implant will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue or under the muscle of the chest wall.
Recovery after Breast Lift
Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. Bandages are applied right after surgery to aid the healing process and to minimize movement of the breasts. Once the bandages are removed, the patient will need to wear a specialized surgical bra for several weeks. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with surgery which can be treated with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the post-operative directions given by the surgeon.
Getting Started
Would you like to learn more about breast lift surgery? Request an appointment online with Dr. Mary Snyder or call her at the office of Monument Plastic Surgery at (605) 721-5065.
