Breast Lift

Return your breasts to their youthful, attractive appearance with a breast lift

Pregnancy, nursing, fluctuations in weight and time can all cause your breasts to sag. You may also notice a loss of elasticity in your breast skin or that they’ve lost some of their volume.

You don’t have to spend the rest of your life with breasts that don’t make you happy. Regain the youthful appearance of your breasts, while helping your clothing, like your bras and swimsuits, fit better, with a breast lift, or mastopexy, performed by one of our board-certified surgeons, Dr. Paul Buhrer and Dr. Christopher Spittler.

What is a breast lift?

A breast lift corrects breast sagging by removing excess skin, most often from the lower part of your breasts, and repositioning the nipples and breast tissue higher on your chest. The outcome is fuller breasts with a nicer shape. A breast lift can also include reducing the size of the areola, which is the darker skin surrounding the nipple.

If you’re considering a breast lift, think about the following:

• Do your nipples point downward?
• Do your nipples/areolas sit below the crease underneath your breasts?
• Are you unhappy with your breast size when you’re wearing a bra?
• Are your breasts asymmetrical or unusually shaped?

Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts, but it will improve their shape, making them appear rounder and fuller. You may also choose to have a breast reduction or augmentation done at the same time as your breast lift.

Your Annapolis Breast Lift Consultation

The first step is a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons at our main office in Annapolis or at one of our one satellite offices in Easton or Prince Frederick. During the consultation in one of our comfortable exam rooms, the doctor will address any questions you may have about the surgery and come up with the right plan for you.

The consultation typically includes a discussion of:

• Your goals: why do you want the surgery and what outcome are you hoping for?
• Your medical history. You’ll talk about things like:
  • Are you taking any prescription or nonprescription drugs and/or herbal supplements?
  • Do you smoke?
  • Have you had any previous surgeries?
• Your breasts. The doctor will examine, measure and evaluate both of your breasts.
• Your options. You’ll discuss the different breast lift options, any risks and possible complications.

Be sure to bring your questions. You’ll have time to ask whatever you need. We recommend writing down your questions as you think of them, so you won’t forget to ask.

The Breast Lift Procedure

Breast lift procedures are performed in our fully accredited, state-of-the-art, ambulatory surgery center in Annapolis. You’ll arrive about an hour before your procedure, and your doctor will see you before your surgery. He’ll review your surgical plan with you and mark the incision locations on your breasts before you go into the operating room.

During the procedure, any excess skin is removed, the  remaining skin is tightened, and the nipple is repositioned. If you’ve chosen a breast reduction, augmentation or implants, they will be done at the same time.

Once the surgery is complete, you’ll be monitored in the recovery room until you’re ready to go home. The whole process typically takes just a few hours.

After your Breast Lift:  Recovery and Results

You’ll go home the same day, with a light dressing and a support bra to support your breasts while you recover. Your surgeon may prescribe pain medication and some topical creams. You’ll want to use them as prescribed to alleviate any discomfort and help with healing.

Your first postoperative visit will take place within the first week, often the day after your surgery. You can expect some mild swelling and discomfort, but that normally goes away after several days to a week.

You’ll need to limit your physical activity for one to two weeks. Most patients return to work after several days or a week. Once you’re fully healed, you can confidently return to all of your normal activities.

What are the common risks of a breast lift?

The risks associated with a breast lift are low and include many of the same risks you find with other types of surgery, like infection, bleeding, incisions that are slow to heal and problems with anesthesia.  Most patients recover quickly, happy with their decision to do this for themselves.

Do you think you’re a candidate for a breast lift? The only way to know for sure is to speak to a board-certified plastic surgeon. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons, to get the information you need to decide of a breast lift procedure is right for you.