Breast Lift Mobile, AL

The breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is an excellent procedure that will lift the breasts, giving you a more youthful look. Patients frequently come in for a breast lift in Mobile to address drooping or asymmetrical breasts.

Sagging breasts or breasts that may be a little too low are an all-too-common consequence of pregnancy, breast feeding, weight fluctuations and the aging process. This sagging is due to excess loose skin, which a mastopexy is used to remove.

This breast procedure is quite popular. In 2010, there were 121,377 breast lifts performed in the U.S., according the The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

Preparing for Mastopexy Surgery

Before a breast lift, you will need to meet with Dr. Proffitt to discuss the details of the procedure and communicate your aesthetic goals. You will be able to look at before and after photos and can ask questions regarding the surgery.

If you smoke, you must stop all nicotine products for at least 6 weeks prior to surgery. This includes nicotine patches and gums, and electronic cigarettes. Nicotine compromises blood supply and may result in loss of breast tissue or nipples.

Where Is the Surgery Performed?

Breast lift procedures are done as an outpatient either in a hospital’s outpatient surgery department or in an outpatient facility. Dr. Proffitt performs breast lifts under general anesthesia with the supervision of a board certified anesthesiologist.

How Is a Breast Lift Performed?

Dr. Proffitt usually takes 2 hours to perform a breast lift. A breast lift is performed so that surgical scars are on the lower aspect of the breast and therefore are well hidden by clothing or a bathing suit.

The breast tissue is lifted on the chest wall and held in place as the skin is tightened around it. The nipple remains attached at all time to the underlying breast tissue, although the diameter of the areola may be reduced if necessary.

Frequently, an implant, either saline or silicone, is inserted under the muscle to add fullness to the entire breast or just the upper portion. This will restore fullness often lost through the aging process or pregnancy.

At the end of the procedure, the incisions are closed using surgical sutures. Dr. Proffitt does not use drains.

How Long Is Breast Lift Recovery?

After surgery, Dr. Proffitt will provide a surgical bra, which will remain until your first postoperative appointment in 2 to 4 days. At that time, your bandages will be removed and you will be fitted into a support bra, which you will wear the support bra for 6 weeks.

A degree of swelling and bruising will be present in the surgical area. As with all surgeries and although rare, infection and bleeding are potential complications, as is change in nipple sensation.

2 weeks after the surgery, three sutures on each breast will be removed during a follow-up appointment. The rest of the stitches are absorbable.

In 2 weeks, you may return to most normal activities. However, you should still avoid lifting any weight over 10 pounds and strenuous activities for another 4 weeks.

Surgical incisions may remain red-looking for two to three months.

What Will Be My Result?

After recovery is complete, patients’ breasts have a perkier and more youthful appearance. Dr. Proffitt is adept at creating symmetrical and natural breast lift results.

How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?

The price of a breast lift is determined by factors like the techniques chosen and the surgical time required. Mastopexy is considered a cosmetic procedure and therefore is not covered by insurance. However, we offer financing through CareCredit to help patients with their breast lift cost.

More Information About Breast Lifts – by Dr. Randy Proffitt

What Is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift, otherwise known as a mastopexy, is a procedure used to elevate the breast. This is most commonly requested by patients because they have breasts that are sagging, or have lost some of the perkiness in their breasts. Women who have lost perkiness through pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight gain and loss are probably the most common people seen for this procedure.

How Long Does It Take to Perform a Breast Lift?

Usually, it takes me approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours to perform the procedure. Frequently, I will place an implant, whether it is saline or silicone, during the procedure to add fullness to the upper part of the breast. Adding an implant adds 10-15 minutes to the procedure time.

How Is a Breast Lift Performed?

The procedure basically lifts all the breast tissue and tightens the skin around the breast and places the breast in a more elevated position.

To do this, some of the skin on the undersurface of the breast is removed and the skin that is remaining is freed up from the rest of the breast tissue and after the breast tissue is moved up with the nipple attached then the skin is re-draped and sutured in so that the scars are at the level of the nipple and below.

A lot of women think that the nipple is totally removed or detached from the breast tissue and this is not true at all. The nipple remains attached to the breast tissue at all times. Therefore with the nipple attached, nipple sensation remains intact as well. It is important to relate that some women to report decreased sensitivity in the nipple.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Mastopexy Surgery?

When I see patients who are interested in a breast lift, the first thing I need to know is what the level of the nipple is in relationship to the crease (inframammary fold) underneath the breast.

If the nipple is at the same level as the crease under the breast or higher, frequently a breast lift is not necessary. Sometimes, an implant alone or what I call a crescent elevation of the nipple will bring the nipple up ½-1 inch without the accompanying scars of a formal breast lift.

If, however, the nipple position is below the inframammary fold (the nipple points down) a formal breast lift is required with the resulting scars around the nipple, extending from the nipple down to the crease under the breast and then a scar within the crease. This scar is often referred to as an anchor scar.

These scars, although they will never completely go away, usually heal to an acceptable level so that most women are not dissatisfied with them.

Who Is the Best Candidate for a Breast Lift with Implants?

While a breast lift without implants is an excellent option for lifting the breasts, most women who are requesting a mastopexy often desire to have fullness on the upper part of the breast in addition to positioning the nipple where it used to be when they were younger. For those women who do not desire larger breasts but still want fullness and cleavage, a small implant will suffice.

This combination procedure is called a breast lift with implants and is also known as a breast augmentation with lift or augmentation mastopexy. Performing both procedures during the same surgical session results in only a single recovery period.

Having Realistic Expectations

Most women, who reach the stage where they are seeking a surgical correction of their saggy breasts, are willing to put up with some scarring of the breast to achieve it. The majority of my patients are very pleased with their outcome. The more a patient knows about both the surgical and healing process the more realistic the expectations and therefore the more satisfied the patient is with the outcome.

A lot of women desire to have a breast lift with the hope of not having to wear a bra after the procedure. Although I don’t recommend this as routine, the renewed perkiness will allow a patient to occasionally go without a bra.

How Long Does It Take a Patient to Recover from a Breast Lift?

The general rule of thumb is that the patient should not lift more than 10 pounds for 3 weeks, they should not raise their arms or reach above their heads for 3 weeks, and strenuous exercise should be avoided for 6 weeks. I also ask patients not to drive for one week. Most patients return to work after about one to two weeks.

Schedule Your Informative Consultation Today

When you’re ready to discuss getting a breast lift in Mobile, call the office of double-board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Randy Proffitt. Dr. Proffitt has over three decades’ experience and will be happy to help. You can reach us by email or by phone at 251-344-0322. Our practice is located at 6317 Piccadilly Square, Mobile, AL 36609. View a map to our office.