Breast Lifting

• Breast Lift Procedure Overview
• Candidates for Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery
• Breast Lift Consultation
• Preparing and Planning for Your Surgery
• The location of your Breast Lift Procedure
• Anesthesia for Breast Lift Surgery

• Technical Aspects of Breast Lift Surgery
• Breast Lifting (Mastopexy) Risks
• Immediately After Surgery
• Getting Back to Normal
• Your New Look

Breast Lift Procedure Overview

One of most common cosmetic issues for which women seek treatment is to improve the shape of the breasts. Many women seek treatment from Dr. Zemmel, complaining of a loss of volume, loose skin, and sagging of the breasts. Many women presenting to Richmond Aesthetic Surgery desire a younger, more youthfully shaped breast, without significantly increasing the size of the breast, while other women desire both improvement in the shape and an increase in cup size. Many women wish to regain their pre-pregnancy shape and volume, while other women desire the fullness and shape found during pregnancy. Finally, other women may desire an even more enhanced shape and volume beyond what they have naturally experienced.

A number of factors can influence the volume and shape of the breasts over time. These include pregnancy and breast-feeding, age, sun exposure, and genetics. As the skin looses its elasticity over time, the breast begins to change shape. After pregnancy and breast-feeding and with advancing age, the amount of breast tissue will substantially decrease, causing the breast to loose volume. The breasts may then have a “deflated” or sagging appearance. Many women complain of excess, loose skin, and lowering of the nipple-areola on the surface of the breast. Many women complain of not being able to find properly fitting clothing and disproportion between the upper and lower body.

Breast lifting (or mastopexy) is the surgical procedure performed by Dr. Neil J. Zemmel, a board certified-plastic surgeon in Richmond, Virginia that is designed to lift and reshape the breast. The goals for breast lifting are to tighten the skin of the breast, reshape the breast tissue and raise the position of the nipple and areola on the surface of the breast. Dr. Zemmel performs a number of breast lifting procedures, and the technique used is dependent on the starting size, shape, and quality of breast tissue found.

Often, many women present for breast lifting will be found to have very little breast and fatty tissue within the breast itself. These women may require placement of a breast implant in addition to a breast lift. The breast implant will not only restore additional volume to the breast, but serves as a foundation to the breast. Dr. Zemmel believes that in many cases breast lifting with an implant gives a longer lasting, more cosmetically pleasing result than breast lifting alone.

If you’re considering a breast lift, with or without an implant, this page will explain the goals of the procedure, the types of breast lifting procedures, the recovery, and risks.

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Candidates for Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery

The optimal candidates for breast lift surgery are healthy women who have realistic expectations with regards to their outcomes. Breasts of nearly any size and shape can be lifted. Dr. Zemmel will offer breast lift surgery to women who are fit for surgery and are otherwise in good health. If you smoke Dr. Zemmel will require you to quit completely at least 6 weeks prior to surgery and at least 6 weeks after surgery.

Many women desire breast lifting because pregnancy and nursing have left them with stretched, inelastic skin and less breast tissue volume. Other women seek breast lifting after major loss. These women often describe their breasts as “deflated.” A mastopexy (breast lift) will tighten the skin of the breast, raises the position of the breast on the chest wall, raise the position of the nipple and areola on the chest wall, and reduce the areola diameter.

Many women seek breast lifting for deflation as mentioned above. Oftentimes, the issue is a deficiency of volume rather than “sagging” of the breasts. These women with smaller breasts and volume loss maybe a candidate for a breast implant alone without a lift. Dr. Zemmel during your consultation will perform a full exam and make this determination.

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Breast Lift Consultation

During your consultation with Dr. Zemmel, both you and Dr. Zemmel will discuss your goals and desires regarding your procedure. Dr. Zemmel wants to know you as a person and wants to have an honest dialogue throughout your entire treatment course. Dr. Zemmel wants to know exactly what your goals are with surgery, so he may meet and possibly exceed your expectations.

During the consultation, Dr. Zemmel will review your complete medical and surgical history, any medications you may take, any allergies, and whether you smoke. Dr. Zemmel also needs to know when your last mammogram took place (if any) and whether you or any member of your immediate family has had problems or illnesses with the breasts. Dr. Zemmel will then perform a full breast exam, focusing on the factors pertinent to breast lifting:

1. The overall size and shape of your breasts
2. The quality of your skin and the presence of stretch marks
3. The amount, quality, and distribution of breast and fatty tissue
4. The shape and symmetry of your breast bone and rib cage
5. The size, shape, and location of your nipple and areola
6. The size, location, and symmetry of the crease beneath your breasts
7. The proportions of your upper and lower body
8. Your height, weight, and cup size
9. The presence of any cysts, lumps, or masses

Dr. Zemmel can answer more specific questions during your initial consultation, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask him if there is anything about the procedure you don’t understand. While no surgery can permanently delay the effects of gravity, mastopexy can “set back the clock” giving a long lasting result.

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Preparing and Planning for Your Surgery

During your initial consultation, it’s important to discuss your goals, desires, and expectations honestly with Dr. Zemmel. Dr. Zemmel will get to know you as an individual. Dr. Zemmel will examine your breasts and measure them while you’re standing. He will evaluate the overall contour and shape of your breasts, the position on the chest wall, and the elasticity of your skin. Dr. Zemmel will examine the shape of your chest, rib cage, and spine. Dr. Zemmel will also examine the distribution of breast tissue, shape and size of the nipple and areola, and position of the creases of the breast.

Dr. Zemmel will give you a detailed operative plan for your breast lift. He will discuss what is possible and what is not possible with your surgery. Dr. Zemmel will give you a very realistic idea of what can be accomplished with your surgery to meet your expectations. With Dr. Zemmel you will discuss your new breast shape and position, new cup size, the overall shape and contour, and the position of the nipple and areola.

Dr. Zemmel will also discuss whether an implant is also necessary to give you the best outcome. He will go over all implant-related issues, and you will try on a number of implants to fit the proper size.

 

Dr. Zemmel will describe the technical aspects of the procedure in full detail, explaining its risks and limitations and making sure you understand the proposed incision pattern. Dr. Zemmel will make every effort to minimize your final scar. He will also explain the anesthesia to be used, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved.

Don’t hesitate to ask your Dr. Zemmel any questions you may have, especially those regarding your concerns and expectations about your final results.

Depending on your age and family history, Dr. Zemmel may require you to have a mammogram (breast x-ray) before surgery. Dr. Zemmel asks for mammograms on all women over the age of 40. Dr. Zemmel may also require you to obtain routine blood work before surgery. You will also be given specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications.

While you’re making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days if needed.

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The Location of Your Breast Lift Procedure

Your breast lift surgery (mastopexy) will be performed by Dr. Zemmel at either Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in Midlothian, Virginia, or in Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond. Dr. Zemmel performs all of his surgeries in the hospital setting. He believes this gives his patients the highest level of patient safety and improves outcomes. Dr. Zemmel has the full resources of the hospital available if needed. The operating rooms at both St. Francis and St. Mary’s are certified by The Joint Commission and, therefore, meet the highest level of safety standards. Breast lift surgery with or without an implant is typically performed on an outpatient basis. If your are undergoing a combination of procedures, such as a tummy tuck or liposuction with your breast lift, then Dr. Zemmel usually requires you to spend the night in the hospital.

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Anesthesia for Breast Lift Surgery

Dr. Zemmel performs breast lift surgery under deep sedation or general anesthesia. The type of anesthesia used is usually determined by the anesthesia provider. Regardless of the type of anesthesia, Dr. Zemmel assures you that you will be completely asleep during surgery, comfortable and totally unaware of the surgery. After surgery you will be transferred to the recovery room for 1 to 2 hours. There you will be made comfortable but the nurses and prepared for your discharge home.

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Technical Aspects of Breast Lift Surgery

Dr. Zemmel performs mastopexy in one to two hours, depending on the technique used. If breast implants are placed, an additional 45 minutes are needed.

Dr. Zemmel uses four different techniques for lifting, depending on the power of the lift required. A smaller amount of excess skin and a nipple/areola placed relatively higher on the breast will require a smaller lift. For those women with a significant amount of excess skin and nipple areola that is placed lower on the breast, a full lift maybe be needed. Dr. Zemmel will determine this prior to surgery and determine what lift will give you the best overall shape and contour. The incision pattern dictates how much excess skin will be removed and allows Dr. Zemmel access to the deeper tissue of the breast for reshaping.

The types of lifts are as follows:

1. Crescent Breast Lift (Mastopexy): Patients who require a minimal amount of lifting of the nipple and areola may be a candidate for a crescent mastopexy. This lift removes a small moon-shaped area of skin directly above the nipple and areola. When closed the nipple and areola are moved higher on the breast giving lift. This procedure uses a small well-hidden incision directly around the top boarder of the areola that is extremely well hidden and heals beautifully.
2. Periareolar Breast Lift (Mastopexy): This lift is also known as a concentric mastopexy, doughnut mastopexy, or Benelli Mastopexy. Dr. Zemmel uses this technique often in conjunction with an implant. A periareolar mastopexy is an excellent technique to tighten the skin of the front of the breast and reduce areolar diameter. It requires making a circular incision just around the boarder of the nipple areola. A “doughnut” area of skin is removed and the incision is closed giving a final scar around the areola itself. The scar usually heals beautifully and is located at the areolar boarder only. The final scar is very well hidden at the areolar boarder and is often barely visible after surgery.
   
3. Vertical Breast Lift (Mastopexy): If the amount of excess skin and sagging exceeds the limits of these techniques a vertical lift or full-anchor pattern incision may be needed. The vertical lift incision pattern goes around the areola and nipple completely and includes a vertical incision straight down making a “lollipop” shape. The anchor pattern includes incisions used in a vertical lift plus a horizontal incision located in the crease beneath the breast along the chest wall.
   
4. Full Mastopexy (Mastopexy): Dr. Zemmel will recommend a full breast lift when the amount of excess skin and position of the nipple and areola exceeds to lifting power of the prior techniques. A full breast lift requires an incision around the areola, a vertical incision, and a horizontal incision tucked underneath the crease of the breast. The incision pattern is called an “anchor” pattern and has the shape of an upside down “T.” While this lift has the longest incision pattern, the resultant scars usually heal very well. Over time the scars fade and become less noticeable over time. In Dr. Zemmel’s experience, his patients will always accept a full lift incision pattern for the benefit of improved shape.
   

As a general principle in breast lifting, the more excess breast skin, and the lower the nipple areola is found on the front of the breast, the greater the lift required to give good shape. Dr. Zemmel believes that nearly all of his patients will accept a somewhat longer scar for the benefit of improved shape. Long term the scars of all breast lifts (periareolar, vertical, and full mastopexy) heal very well. Dr. Zemmel will make every effort to minimize scarring with accurate technique in surgery as well as meticulous postoperative care. Approximately 2 weeks after surgery, Dr. Zemmel’s patients will be placed on a regime of scar treatment. Six to twelve months after surgery many of Dr. Zemmel’s patients have very light, soft scars that blend into the surrounding breast contours. The scars are generally very well tolerated by most women and are hidden under clothing and bikini tops.

If a breast implant is placed with your breast lift, Dr. Zemmel will use the same incision. The implant will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue, or deeper, under the muscle of the chest wall.

Dr. Zemmel and his team close all the incisions with fine absorbable sutures that give an excellent cosmetic result and do not need to be removed.

Dr. Zemmel go into great detail to advise you on what technique will given you the best results as well as the pros and cons of each.

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Breast Lifting (Mastopexy) Risks

A breast lift (mastopexy) is a complex breast operation that should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. While the magnitude of a breast lift surgery of less than a cardiac or abdominal operation for example, breast lifting has risks that must be addressed. Dr. Zemmel will do everything in his power to provide you with the safest, most reliable procedure with the best outcome. Dr. Zemmel accomplishes this through a number of ways:

1. Dr. Zemmel performs all surgery in the hospital setting and uses only operating rooms with the highest level of safety accreditation.
2. Dr. Zemmel performs surgery with Board Certified Anesthesiologists and Board Certified Nurse Anesthetists to ensure the safest anesthesia.
3. Dr. Zemmel performs surgery with the same operating room team in order to maintain consistency with each procedure.
4. Dr. Zemmel uses the highest quality materials and instruments when performing your procedure.
5. Dr. Zemmel follows his patient very closely after surgery to ensure the smoothest and easiest recovery for his patients.

With any surgery, however, there is always a small possibility of complications or a reaction to the anesthesia. Bleeding and infection following a breast lift are extremely uncommon and occur less than 1% of the time. You incisions can widen to form thickened scars or you may have some asymmetry between the bests. You can reduce your risks by closely following Dr. Zemmel’s advice before surgery and postoperatively. Dr. Zemmel will discuss all of the risks and potential complications during you initial and pre-operative appointments.

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Immediately After Surgery

After surgery you will be transferred to the recovery unit until you fully awaken and are made comfortable. From there you will be transferred back to your room in pre-operative holding, and discharged home. If you have undergone a combination procedure such as a “Mommy Makeover” you will be transferred to your room on the surgical floor.

You will awaken from surgery wearing a soft surgical bra similar to a sports bra. You will wear this for several weeks after surgery. You will see Dr. Zemmel one to three days after surgery for you first postoperative appointment. You will be given instructions before hospital discharge detailing how to care for your bandages, your pain medicine regimen, when to shower, and your activity level. You will receive an instruction packet at your pre-operative visit and Dr. Zemmel’s will go over these in person before discharge.

Expect your breasts to feel tight, swollen and slightly bruised. Many of Dr. Zemmel’s patients report that having a breast lift feels like having their breasts engorged with milk during breast-feeding. The discomfort is very tolerable and easily controlled with analgesics prescribed by Dr. Zemmel. The discomfort usually begins to resolve 3 to 5 days after surgery. At the first postoperative office visit, your bandages and surgical bra will be replaced by a soft sports bra. Depending on your progress, Dr. Zemmel will slowly increase your activity level over the next few weeks.

 

You will be seen frequently after surgery. Your first appointment after surgery usually occurs within one to three days. You will then see Dr. Zemmel and his team every 5 to 7 days for approximately one month to closely monitor your progress.

At no time during your recovery will you feel “alone.” Dr. Zemmel and his team are always available to see you in the office or speak with you by phone to address any issues and concerns. Dr. Zemmel believes that meticulous postoperative care of his patients significantly improves outcomes and patient satisfaction.

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Getting Back to Normal

Healing from any surgical procedure is a gradual process and every one of Dr. Zemmel’s patients progresses at a slightly different rate. For smaller breast lifts, such as a crescent breast lift or a periareolar breast lift, the recovery time may be a few days. A full breast lift (Mastopexy) with breast implants may require eight to twelve days for recovery. Dr. Zemmel will be there every step of the way to guide you through the recovery process. He will monitor your pain levels and assess the progress of any swelling or post-operative bruising. As your post-operative discomfort resolves and your incisions heal Dr. Zemmel will gradually increase your activity level. In general most patients are able to return to work within 3 to 5 days for a smaller breast enhancement procedure, while the larger procedures may require 5 to 7 days.

Dr. Zemmel will recommend you temporarily discontinue any heavy exercise or physical activity for several weeks after surgery. Dr. Zemmel will usually allow light cardio activity 2 weeks after surgery, full cardio activity 3 weeks after surgery, and light weights 4 weeks after surgery.

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Your New Look

The healing process takes anywhere from 6 to 18 months to complete. During this time you will notice an evolution of your results. Your scars will soften, fade, and blend in to the natural contours of your breasts. They will gradually become less obvious, and most of the time they eventually fade to thin white lines. The scars can usually be placed so that you can wear even low-cut tops without showing evidence of your procedure. Your breasts will soften and appear more natural. Your results will last for many years and you will enjoy your new look for the rest of your life.

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Contact Richmond Aesthetic Surgery

For more information on breast lift surgery, or to schedule a consultation to talk more about how this procedure can help you attain your goals, please contact Richmond Aesthetic Surgery today.
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