What Should You Know About Getting a Breast Lift in Rancho Cucamonga?
As a woman ages, her breasts tend to sag. This is an unfortunate fact of life – but it doesn’t mean you have to accept it. The mastopexy, better known as a “breast lift,” is an aesthetic surgical procedure that tightens the skin above the breasts, helping them become perkier again and restore at least some of their original shape. In some cases, a breast lift surgery can also reduce the size of your areola or be done alongside breast enhancement or reduction for more precise control over the shape of your breasts.
Having a breast lift in Rancho Cucamonga is a reasonably safe and well-understood procedure. When you come to experts, such as at Dr. Dev Wali Integrated Med Spa and Plastic Surgery, you’ll have the best possible chances of a successful mastopexy.
However, this is a major procedure, and there’s a lot to consider. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Rancho Cucamonga breast lifts.
I. Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Lifts?
Breast lifts have relatively few complications or interactions with other medical issues, so generally, healthy emotionally stable non-smokers will likely qualify.
However, we do look for women who are realistic about what the surgery can and can’t achieve. Gravity doesn’t go away, and some amount of sagging over time is inevitable. We can roll back time’s clock, but we can’t stop it entirely.
Also, we typically recommend (but not require) that women hold off on getting a mastopexy until after they’ve finished having children. A breast lift won’t interfere with breastfeeding but having a child after a breast lift will probably undo most or all of the work done.
II. What Risks Are Associated with Breast Lifts?
While breast lifts are commonplace, and a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Dev Wali can minimize the chances of anything going wrong, anysurgery carries risks of complications.
With mastopexy, possible complications include:
- Adverse reactions to anesthetics
- Bleeding and infection
- Unevenly positioned nipples
- Loss of sensitivity in the breast or nipples
Finally, be aware: because a mastopexy involves removing skin from above the breast, there will always be some level of visible scarring. A great plastic surgeon like Dr. Wali can minimize the scarring, but the work will never be 100% seamless.
III. What Planning and Preparation Goes into A Breast Lift?
Typically, you’ll go through a few planning sessions and consultations before the work is done.
Most importantly, we’ll want to know what you want your breasts to look like after the surgery. After all, tastes vary. Also, we want to make sure that your ideal breasts are reasonably achievable with surgery. This will be accompanied by practical advice on what to expect in the years going forward.
In many cases, we also want a mammogram before the surgery – just in case.
Also, in the days leading up to the surgery, you will be under a few restrictions. You’ll be on a restricted diet and need to stop eating/drinking for a day before. You’ll also need to avoid certain medications and vitamins, if applicable.
Finally, we strongly recommend giving up smoking entirely well before the surgery, but if you cannot fully quit, you will at least need to stop for a few weeks during recovery. Smoking greatly inhibits the body’s ability to heal itself, and many plastic surgeons may refuse to work if a patient won’t quit. The risks of complications are simply too high when smoking is an avoidable activity
IV. What Happens During the Breast Lift Surgery?
The surgery will be performed at a nearby hospital, so you’ll have access to the best in treatment in any case.
Breast lifts are almost always performed under general anesthesia, which means you’ll be fully put to sleep for the procedure. In rare cases, when the work being done is minimal or where there’s reason to expect adverse reactions to the anesthesia, it might be done with a local anesthetic instead.
The surgery itself typically takes around 2 1/2 to 3 hours. The exact method depends on the work being done, but most likely it will be done in what’s called a lollipop style. The incision is made around the areola, then upwards in a straight line across the top of the breast. So, the resulting scar looks a bit like a lollipop.
Excess skin is removed from the top of the breast, then the nipple and areola are pulled upwards into their new position. If other reshaping work is being done, this happens during the process as well.
Finally, absorbable stitches are used to put everything back together. These will naturally absorb into your body as the incision heals, so you don’t need to come back and have the stitches removed.
V. What Is the Breast Lift Recovery Process Like?
Assuming you were put under general anesthesia, you’ll wake up a few hours later and be given your medications and prescriptions. Have a driver ready to take you home.
You’ll have gauze dressings on your breasts, as well as an elastic bandage. This will stay in place for at least a couple days. Then it will be replaced with a surgical bra – provided by us – which must be worn around the clock for the next 3-4 weeks. It supports your breasts and holds them in place while the area heals.
Your breasts will be sore, swollen, or bruised immediately after the surgery. There will be some discomfort for the first few days, but it should be manageable with over-the-counter pain medications. However, if you have significant differences in pain between the two breasts, you should contact us to look into it.
You’ll need to take at least a week off of work and avoid lifting heavy objects for a month or so until fully healed. You’ll also need to avoid sexual activity for at least 1-2 weeks.
Is A Breast Lift Right for You?
Mastopexy procedures are complex, and not something to do on a whim. If you’re considering a breast lift, please contact us at Dr. Dev Wali Integrated Med Spa And Plastic Surgery to discuss your options!