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Over the years, pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on women's breasts and the skin surrounding the breast. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape, firmness, and begin to sag. Mastopexy is a surgical procedure designed to raise and reshape sagging breasts. Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola. Occasionally, breast implants may be used in conjunction with mastopexy to increase the fullness and firmness of the breasts. Dr. Burt M. Greenberg will evaluate each patient to determine whether or not they are a candidate for pure mastopexy or for augmentation mastopexy utilizing either a saline or silicone gel implant. The best candidates for breast lift are those who understand that a breast lift can enhance your appearance and self-confidence, but won't necessarily change your looks to match an ideal. Healthy, emotionally stable women who are realistic about what this surgery can accomplish have the most success. Most women seek mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing have left them with stretched skin and less volume in their breasts. If you are planning to have more children, however, it may be prudent to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies, pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again and off-set the results of the procedure. The best results are achieved in women with small sagging breasts, although breasts of any kind can be lifted. A breast lift is not a simple operation, but it is normally a safe operation. However, there is always the possibility of complications and reactions to anesthesia. Bleeding and infection following the breast lift are uncommon, but they can cause scars to widen. Mastopexy does leave noticeable, permanent scars, although they are covered by your bra and bathing suit. Planning your surgeryIn your initial consultation with Dr. Burt Greenberg, please discuss your expectations frankly. Dr. Greenberg will examine your breasts, measure them and photograph them while you are sitting and standing. Variables that affect the procedure, such as age, size and shape of your breasts, condition of your skin, and whether an implant is advisable, are all carefully reviewed at this time. In conjunction with you, Dr. Burt Greenberg will also determine where the nipple and areola will be positioned. Generally, they are placed significantly higher on the breast and aligned above the infra-mammary fold crease. The surgeryThe breast lift is usually performed in Dr. Burt Greenberg's Great Neck Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Facility, which is accredited at the highest level ("C" level) by the American Association of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF). General anesthesia is used and provided by board-certified anesthesiologists who work exclusively with Dr. Burt Greenberg. The most common technique involves an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the lower pole of the breast, around the areola, and in the 6 o'clock position from the areola, extending to the infra-mammary crease. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to a higher, more desired position. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and sutured together to reshape the breast. Patients with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging may be candidates for a modified procedure such as a doughnut, elliptical, or concentric mastopexy. If you are having an implant inserted with your breast lift, it is placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue or perhaps deeper under the muscle of the chest wall. Dr. Burt Greenberg is a participant of the IRB or Institutional Review Board study protocol of silicone gel breast patients and is fully qualified and certified to perform either saline or silicone gel augmentations or augmentation mastopexies of this type. After the surgeryAfter the surgery, Dr. Burt Greenberg recommends wearing a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Following several days, a regular sports bra with clips in the front is recommended. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain is not severe. Analgesic medication will be prescribed by Dr. Burt Greenberg. If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day. Be careful not to tug at your skin in the process and keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas for at least one week. You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin caused by the swelling after surgery. The numbness usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. In some patients, however, it may last a year or more. Healing is a gradual process. Although you may be up and around in a day or two, for the majority of patients, one week off is preferable. Please remember that mastopexy scars are extensive and permanent. They often remain lumpy and red for months, gradually becoming less obvious, and sometimes eventually fading to white lines. Fortunately, the scars are placed so that you can wear even low cut tops. Please also keep in mind that a breast lift won't keep you firm forever. The effects of gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight fluctuations will eventually take their toll again. Women who have implants along with their breast lift may find the results last longer. |
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 Ptotic breast with adequate volume |
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 Removal of excessive skin.... |
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 allows elevation and tightening. |
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BURT GREENBERG,
MD. FACS
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