Due to aging or childbirth, many women find that their breasts have begun to sag and lose their elasticity and firmness. Dr. Robert Brueck performs breast lifts to fundamentally recreate the appearance of “pert” young breasts.
What is a breast lift?
A breast lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and creates breasts that are tighter, firmer, and have optimal shaping. A breast lift can also address any issues with the shape, size, or placement of your nipples and areola.
Women pursue breast lifts for various reasons. Virtually all, however, want to feel more confident and secure about the shape and appearance of their breasts.
Some of the factors that cause changes in your breast tissues include:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Weight fluctuations
- Gravity and the aging process
Some women also have asymmetry between their breasts, and pursue a breast lift to create more balanced contours.
Dr. Brueck will remove the excess skin that creates the sagging appearance, then raises the nipple so it is approximately even with the lower crease of the breast, creating the appearance of a more youthful breast.
If you are good health and have breasts that have begun to sag, losing their elasticity and firmness, you are a good candidate. A consultation with Dr. Brueck will determine your eligibility for a breast lift.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?
If you are experiencing breast tissue sagging or nipple displacement, a breast lift can help restore shape, symmetry, and ideal appearance to your breasts. Good candidates must be generally healthy, non-smokers (or willing to quit well before surgery), and prepared for both surgical procedures and recovery.
Several considerations go into candidacy for a plastic surgery procedure. Talking to Dr. Brueck about your goals is an excellent way to learn if breast lift surgery is a good fit for you.
What Are the Benefits of a Breast Lift?
Breast lift surgery removes excess and sagging skin to firm and lift the breast mound into its ideal location. This can enhance the appearance of the entire upper body while also improving clothing options and helping to increase self-confidence.
How Long Will the Results From a Breast Lift Last?
Results from breast lift surgery are long-lasting, but not permanent. The process of aging, the existence of gravity, your genetics, and other factors will continue to impact how your breasts appear over time.
Pregnancy and weight fluctuations will have the most considerable impact on breast firmness. You can lengthen your breast lift results by maintaining a consistent weight.
What Kind of Anesthesia Will Be Used?
General anesthesia is the most common type used during breast lift surgery. This may be combined with a local anesthetic to reduce postoperative discomfort at the incision site.
With general anesthesia, you are asleep for the procedure. You will need to arrange for a ride to and from surgery and may need assistance for the first few hours you are home.
Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation, Which One Is Best for Me?
Breast lift surgery corrects ptosis. It produces a firm, perky, and ideally shaped breast mound. However, it may decrease the size of your breasts slightly.
Breast augmentation surgery makes the breasts larger. This addresses asymmetry, improves projection and cleavage, and creates a fuller-looking bust.
Breast lift surgery and breast augmentation are commonly performed together. During your initial consultation, Dr. Brueck will help you decide if one or both procedures will be ideal for helping you reach your goals.
Is It Possible to Breastfeed After Breast Lift Surgery?
Yes, it is possible to breastfeed after breast lift surgery. However, procedural steps should be utilized to help preserve nipple sensitivity and milk ducts if you plan on having children. It is important that you are frank with Dr. Brueck about plans for future pregnancies.
While you can breastfeed after breast lift surgery, it is best to wait until you have finished having children to undergo the procedure. This is because pregnancy and nursing will undo your breast lift results and necessitate a revision procedure to restore firmness to the breasts.
How do I know if a breast lift is right for me?
Having a breast lift is a big step, and it’s important to make an informed decision. If you’ve been unhappy with the appearance of your breasts for some time, you may want to learn more about how a breast lift could help.
If you’re hoping for larger or fuller breasts, breast augmentation may be a better approach. However, if you’re happy with the size of your breasts but want to address issues with firmness, sagging, or abnormal nipple size or positioning, a breast lift might be the way to go.
It’s also important that you time a breast lift properly. You should reach and maintain a healthy weight prior to the procedure, as weight fluctuations can ruin the results of a breast lift. You should also wait until you are done adding to your family, as pregnancy and breastfeeding can also undo some of the effects of a breast lift.
How should I prepare for my breast lift?
One way to prepare is by boosting your overall health in the months leading up to your surgery. A healthy body has an easier time healing than one that is struggling with untreated disease, hypertension, diabetes, circulatory issues, or other concerns. If you’re a smoker, make every effort to quit prior to any surgery.
You should also be open and honest with Dr. Brueck about your health history and any medications you’re currently taking. Some drugs increase bleeding or impede your blood’s ability to clot, which can be dangerous during surgery.
You may also want to schedule a mammogram to give your doctor a baseline evaluation of your breast tissue, which can be used to detect changes after your surgery and for years to come.
How long is recovery from a breast lift?
You will need to take at least one week off from work or school for a breast lift surgery. Some women need two weeks, but each situation varies. Dr. Brueck will instruct you on follow-up appointments at his Fort Myers office for removing bandages and stitches.
While you recover, you’ll need to stop physical activity for at least one month after surgery. You should also avoid heavy lifting.
After a breast lift, you should expect to feel tired and to have breast pain. This is normal. Dr. Brueck will give you an oral painkiller to ease you through the first few days after surgery. You may be able to return to work after a long 3 or 4 day weekend. I always caution people after any surgery to lay low for a minimum of 4 days – with no lifting, straining, etc. Of course, whether you return to work after a long weekend depends on your type of work. If you sit at a computer screen it is not unusual to return to work in 3 or 4 days.
Contact Beauty by Brueck for Your Breast Lift Consultation
A breast lift can correct many shape irregularities in your breast tissue. It is among the most popular cosmetic surgery options pursued by women in and around.
Dr. Robert Brueck at Beauty by Brueck is highly skilled in breast lift techniques, and has helped hundreds of women feel great about the shape and firmness of their breasts. Sitting down for a consultation with Dr. Brueck is a great way to learn more, and online scheduling makes it easy to find a time that fits your busy life. You’re also always welcome to reach out to the office by phone at 239-939-5233.