INTRODUCTION TO TRAVERSE CITY BREAST LIFT
A breast lift, called mastopexy, raises and re-contours breasts that have lost volume and tone due to pregnancy, weight fluctuation, natural aging or genetic disposition. A breast lift improves the appearance of your breasts in several ways. It elevates your breast tissue and removes excess skin from the lower portion of your breast. At the same time, it relocates your nipple and areola (the pigmented skin surrounding your nipple) to a higher position. If your areolas have stretched over time, they can also be reduced in size. Women who have their breasts lifted often decide to also have them enlarged through a breast augmentation procedure. This can be accomplished alone or as part of a Mommy Makeover.

As with all cosmetic procedures, it is important for Dr. Smith to carefully evaluate the anatomy of your breasts, your body frame, and the general condition of your skin and muscle tone.  In addition, his understanding of your goals and concerns help in his recommendation of breast lift surgery. This is accomplished during your private consultation at Dr. Smith’s Traverse City plastic surgery office, or at his office in Gaylord.


THREE TYPES OF INCISIONS ARE USED IN A BREAST LIFT PROCEDURE
Depending upon the degree of sagging and the amount of excess skin, there are 3 different options for incisions in a breast lift. If removing only a small amount of skin is enough to provide adequate lift, the incision is limited to around the areola. A second incision type encircles the areola and is then extended vertically from the areola to the base of the breast in the inframammary fold (the place underneath the breast where it meets the chest wall). The third type of incision, used when a greater amount of skin needs to be removed, is around the areola with the vertical incision from the areola to the base of the breast and extending in horizontally in the inframammary fold. This is often called an “anchor incision,” and is the most prevalent type of incision used in a breast lift.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Smith has performed many breast lift procedures.  He will use only the smallest incisions necessary to achieve success with your breast lift to create a result that is as natural and beautiful as possible, and to keep scarring to a minimum.

Because Dr. Smith believes strongly in doing only as much surgery as is absolutely necessary, if he believes that an implant alone will be enough to lift the breast, he may recommend this alone.  An implant can lift the breast enough, in some cases, to substitute for a lift. Alternatively, some women choose to have breast augmentation with their lift because they want the fullness and firmness that an implant can provide.

APPROPRIATE CANDIDATES FOR A BREAST LIFT PROCEDURE
A breast lift can be performed at any age and is by no means performed only on older women. Any healthy adult woman with concerns about the position and firmness of her breasts is potentially a candidate for a breast lift.

HOW A BREAST LIFT IS PERFORMED
Dr. Smith performs his cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, including breast augmentation, in the accredited surgery suite at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, the Ambulatory Surgery Center in Traverse City, or Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord.  A breast lift procedure is typically scheduled for 2-3 hours. Because Dr. Smith wants to ensure a well-controlled and safe surgical experience that is comfortable for his patient, general anesthesia is always used.

Once anesthesia has been induced, Dr. Smith will make an incision in the breast area, based upon the previous discussion at your consultation. He will remove any excess skin and internally lift the breast tissue to create an improved, firmer texture. Your incisions are then closed with suture that will be removed during a follow-up appointment, usually 10 to 14 days after the surgery. You will be placed in a support garment which will be worn for a period of time 24 hours a day following your procedure.


RECOVERY
Within a day or two after surgery, you should be up and around. Most women experience some minimal bruising and swelling from breast lift surgery. For those who also had an implant placed behind the muscle, there is a transition period until the muscles have stretched to accommodate the implants. Muscle relaxants can be given to ease the tension on the muscle and decrease discomfort. Dr. Smith will prescribe this, as well as pain medication, prior to your procedure to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible during the recovery period.

It’s wise to listen to your body and respect the fact that you are healing, as everyone heals at a different rate. Within the first week you can expect that your recovery will follow this general progression: you will be permitted to shower within 48 hours, you will have a follow-up visit, you may return to non-strenuous work and sexual relations may be resumed.