Mastopexy (known as a breast lift) is a cosmetic procedure that lifts and tightens the breasts by trimming away excess skin and surgically tightening the breast tissue to result in a firmer, younger breast shape. This cosmetic breast surgery is performed for women who have lost breast firmness, size, and shape and who have breast drooping due to aging, gravity, weight loss, or pregnancy.
Outstanding advancements in breast lift surgery have made this aesthetic surgery so effective and successful that new statistics by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show nearly a 70% increase in demand since 2000. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Cynthia Mizgala offers this procedure at A Woman Plastic Surgeon in Metairie, LA, and can decide on the appropriate technique (full or mini lift) based upon your level of ptosis or breast sag, as well as desired breast volume. Dr. Mizgala strives to provide the best breast lift New Orleans has to offer.
You may visit A Woman Plastic Surgeon wanting breast implants; however, after a physical exam, Dr. Mizgala might recommend a type of breast lift with or without breast implants. Breasts that have lost elasticity might benefit from skin removal and tightening surgery to bring the breasts to a perkier position.
If your nipples point downward and your breasts sag significantly below the crease line, a breast lift (mastopexy) can improve their appearance. Breast sagging is known as ptosis and three degrees are recognized, depending on the position of the nipple complex relative to the inframammary fold.
A normal breast without ptosis is a breast where the nipple is positioned above the inframammary fold.
Grade 1 ptosis exists when the nipple rests at the level of the inframammary fold
Grade 2 ptosis exists when the nipple complex rests below the fold
Grade 3 ptosis exists when the nipple-areola complex is the lowest point of the breast
Breast lift surgery is often recommended with breast implant removal. Some women find their implants make the breasts too large and want them downsized or removed. In these cases, a combined breast lift can tighten the skin once the implants are removed.
Whether you should get a breast lift, implants, or both will depend on your specific goals. In many patients, a breast lift can improve the shape and fullness of the breasts without implants. Dr. Mizgala will assess your physical condition and listen to your goals in your consultation, then decide whether you should get a breast lift, breast augmentation, or a breast lift with implants.
Will my nipples be moved?
Generally, the nipple-areola complex will be shifted up during the breast lift. If your areolas are overly large or stretched, Dr. Mizgala can reduce the areola during your surgery. This can be discussed during your consultation so she can decide on the best incision pattern and technique to use for your breast lift.
How long will my results last?
With proper care after surgery, the results of a breast lift should last for many years. Your breasts will continue to age normally so you may see sagging and loose skin over time. Factors like significant weight gain or loss can alter your results so it's best to maintain a stable weight after your breast lift. Pregnancy or breastfeeding after a breast lift may affect your results so that is something to consider and should be discussed during the consultation.
Can a breast lift fix asymmetry?
A breast lift can improve asymmetry in your breasts if they are different in size, firmness, or degree of sagging. Dr. Mizgala will assess the appearance and condition of your breasts during your consultation and discuss how a lift can help you. During your breast lift surgery, she will shape the tissue so your breasts are equal in size and position.
How much does a breast lift cost?
During your initial consultation, Dr. Mizgala will assess your breasts and determine what lift technique will attain the best and most effective results. Each surgical case varies slightly, but she will also be able to create a unique treatment plan with exact costs.
On average, a New Orleans breast lift patient will pay between $5,900 - $10,500. When done well, a breast lift can significantly improve your physical appearance so it's important to focus on having an experienced surgeon with extensive training. To help make surgery easier to afford, A Woman Plastic Surgeon offers patients financial consulting regarding various payment methods and finance options.
Surgical Technique
Breast lift surgery usually takes 2 – 4 hours and is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. The type of breast lift recommended depends on the desired breast size and the degree of breast sagging.
Dr. Mizgala customizes the breast lift so as to minimize scars while accomplishing the desired lift. The method used will depend on many factors, including the degree of breast ptosis and the desired breast volume. Typically in a ptotic breast, the nipple-areola complex is low and there is deficient breast tissue filling the skin envelope of the breast. A patient who wants more volume might benefit from a breast implant to fill the emptier breast so that less skin tightening is needed, hence fewer scars.
On the other hand, another patient may not want more fullness but prefer breasts of the same size which can be achieved by a breast lift only. In that case, more loose skin may need to be removed if no volume is added. Making a breast perkier can be achieved by adding more volume to the loose breast or tightening the skin brassiere or both.
The anchor technique (inverted-T) and the vertical incisions or lollipop technique are the most common mastopexy techniques planned when implants are not desired. The incision surrounds the nipple-areola complex, then descends under it in a vertical direction followed by a horizontal tuck in the crease of the breast. Once the incision is made, loose skin is excised so that the breasts are positioned higher and lifted so they look perkier. In many cases, the size and shape of the areola are reduced and lifted to match the new placement and shape of the breast.
Surgical breast lifting has transformed the lives of many Metairie, LA individuals. If you are bothered with hanging, sagging breasts that get in the way of everyday activities or stop you from sporting the clothing styles you desire, a breast lift at A Woman Plastic Surgeon may be the right surgery for you. During your first visit for a breast lift New Orleans plastics surgeon, Dr. Mizgala will perform a thorough breast assessment and your desired outcome will be discussed. We will determine a tailored plan for treatment to help transform your breasts. We encourage you to contact A Woman Plastic Surgeon to schedule a consultation.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER A BREAST LIFT
Recovery for any type of breast lift is quick and easy. After surgery, you will wear a support bra supplied by Dr. Mizgala. Most New Orleans breast lift patients are back to work within 4 – 7 days. The post-surgical swelling usually goes away within about a week. Dr. Mizgala will provide in-depth, at-home care instructions to help with your healing process. Results following a breast lift surgery are noticeable immediately and improve over several months. The breasts will feel and appear natural and perky.
Schedule a Consultation today with Dr. Mizgala
Come visit Dr. Mizgala and let her customize a treatment tailored to address your personal needs.
4720 South I-10 Service Road W Suite 105 Metairie, LA
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