Breast Lift

What Can I Expect During My Breast Lift?

Incisions will be made on your breasts, though the patterns vary depending on the amount of lift needed. Dr. Dunkley chooses the procedure giving the least scars and best shape.

When the procedure is performed, your breast tissues will be reshaped and lifted. The tissue is folded to move the nipple up higher on the breast and the sides under the breast are brought together leaving a vertical incision line. The nipple and areolas will be repositioned and resized. To complete the procedure, excess skin will be removed to tailor the breasts new more desirable contour. Careful suturing techniques help minimize scarring. The surgical wounds will be closed with dissolvable stitches.

How Do I Know If I Need A Breast Lift?

A breast lift, known as a mastopexy, is necessary if your nipple is at or below the crease below your breast. The lower the nipple is in relation to the crease, the more aggressive the lift that is necessary. Minor lifts result in a scar around the areola. Major lifts result in a scar around the areola and a vertical incision from the areola to the crease below the breast. Sometimes a short horizontal scar in the crease below the breast is also necessary.

What Can I Expect After My Breast Lift?

A lift without implants hurts less than patient expect. Tape-like bandages will be placed over the incisions to support the new contour of your breasts. Typically no drains are placed. Prescriptions are given to keep you comfortable. Follow Dr. Dunkley’s post-operative instructions to achieve a speedy recovery and optimal mastopexy results.

What Is Recovery Like After A Breast Lift?

Due to the extensive incisions, you’ll need pain medication for the first couple days of your recovery. From there, your pain will lessen quickly. After a breast lift with Dr. Dunkley, it’s very important to follow your instructions on wearing your surgical support bra 24 hours a day for the first few days. Then you will switch to a softer support bra, again to be worn 24 hours a day for one full month. The reason for this is to eliminate any stress on your incisions. You’ll have swelling for a couple of weeks; the degree will correspond with the type of incision Dr. Dunkley used for your surgery.

Most patients can return to work in about one week. However, any strenuous exercise or heavy lifting needs to wait for at least six weeks after your surgery. This particularly applies to any activity that causes your breasts to move. By being prudent and cautious with your recovery, your scar tissue will reach its maximum strength. Plus, this will allow your scarring to fade more dramatically over time.

Will A Breast Lift Without Implants Make My Breasts Look Smaller?

The goal of a breast lift is to return the breasts to a higher position on the chest, the position they occupied before sagging. While most women don’t think their breasts appear smaller after a lift, they will probably merit a one-cup smaller-sized bra. This is because the mass of the breasts is no longer sitting low on the chest and is more evenly proportioned across your breasts.

Can Implants Make My Breasts More Symmetrical?

If you have asymmetrical breasts, implants are not necessary to bring symmetry to your breasts. Dr. Dunkley can do that with your breast lift alone. However, if you want to add volume to your breasts then implants will do that. Either way, your breasts will have symmetry.

Click here to view Before & After pictures of this procedure

Will I Be Able To Breastfeed After A Breast Lift?

After a breast lift, most women retain the ability to breastfeed, but this is not guaranteed. This procedure affects the breast tissue, and there is a possibility that the milk glands can be impacted. This can affect the ability to breastfeed. Still, most patients are able to breastfeed after their lift.

Should I Wait Until After I Have Children To Have A Breast Lift?

If you’re considering having a breast lift, you first need to fully consider if you’re going to have additional children in the future. If so, you need to wait until after your final child is delivered and you are finished breastfeeding to have this procedure. Why? With pregnancy and breastfeeding, your breast size will again fluctuate. This will stretch incision scars and will again create volume loss, negating the results of your breast lift.

What Are Some Of The Questions I Should Ask Dr. Dunkley At My Breast Lift Consultation?

Specific to this procedure, you should ask which one of the incision options he thinks will be used in your case. If you’re interested in returning volume to your breasts (which a breast lift will not do), you should inquire about adding augmentation during your lift procedure.

Request to see his before and after gallery, and read reviews both on this website and other health websites.

Finally, ask about your recovery and any possible complications with breast lift surgery.

Are you considering a breast lift? If so, contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Dunkley of Envision Plastic Surgery. We are proud to serve the residents of Salt Lake City, UT, as well as those living in Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming.