A woman’s breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness.

These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:

		Pregnancy
		Breastfeeding
		Weight fluctuations
		Aging
		Gravity
		Heredity

Also known as mastopexy, a breast lift raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.

Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is youthful and uplifted.

What it won’t do

Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast. If you want your breasts to look fuller or smaller, you might want to consider either breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery.

Is it right for me?

Breast lift surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

A breast lift is a good option for you if:

		You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight
		You do not smoke
		You have realistic expectations
		You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag, have lost shape and volume
		Your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous
		When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease
		Your nipples and areolas point downward
		You have stretched skin and enlarged areolas
		One breast is lower than the other

The success and safety of your breast lift procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. Dr. Vartany will ask you a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

Be prepared to discuss:

		Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome
		Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
		Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
		Previous surgeries
		Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies

Dr. Vartrany may also:

Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors   Examine your breasts, and may take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, placement of your nipples and areolas   Take photographs for your medical record   Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment   Discuss likely outcomes of breast lift surgery and any risks or potential complications   Discuss the use of anesthesia during your breast lift

Preparing for surgery

Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:

Special instructions you receive will cover:

		What to do on the day of surgery
		Post-operative care and follow-up

Dr. Vartany will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Breast lift surgery may be performed in outpatient surgical center or a hospital.

Procedural Steps:

What happens during breast lift surgery?

Your breast lift surgery can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques.

The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:

		Breast size and shape
		The size and position of your areolas
		The degree of breast sagging
		Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin

Step 1 - Anesthesia

Dr. Vartany performs breast lift surgery under general anesthesia which will be administered by a Board Certified Anesthesiologist in a fully accredited surgical center or a hospital.    You will be completely asleep during the procedure and you will not feel or hear anything.

Step 2 – The incisions

There are three common incision patterns:

		Around the areola
		Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
		Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease

Step 3 - Reshaping your breasts

After your doctor makes the incisions:

		The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness.
		The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height.
		If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.
		Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.

Step 4 - Closing the incisions

After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed.

Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.

The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade.

The decision to have breast lift surgery is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

The risks include:

		Breast lift surgery can interfere with diagnostic procedures
		Breast and nipple piercing can cause an infection
		Breast lift surgery does not normally interfere with pregnancy, but if you are planning to have a baby, your breast skin may stretch and offset the results of mastopexy and you may have more difficulty breastfeeding after this operation

Where will my surgery be performed?

A breast lift procedure may be performed in an ambulatory surgical facility or a hospital.

When you go home

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, call Dr. Vartany immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.