Breast Lift

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a cosmetic procedure to restore a more youthful positioning of the breasts while also enhancing their shape. Unfortunately, many lifestyle and genetic factors can contribute to breast sagging and loss of volume. Whatever the reasoning may be, it can take a toll on a woman’s sense of body confidence. If you feel that you need to find a long-lasting solution that doesn’t require additional surgeries, a breast lift may be exactly what you are looking for.

As a highly respected plastic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine who specializes in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction, Dr. Michael Howard understands the intricate skills and knowledge of anatomy required for complex breast procedures. Dr. Howard’s approach to a breast lift fosters natural-looking results that align with the vision you have for your body. If you are interested in seeing what he can accomplish for you, please call (224) 271-4250 to get in touch with the nearest office location to you: Chicago, IL, Lake Forest, IL, or Glenview, IL.

About Breast Ptosis

Breast sagging, or ptosis, can occur for a wide variety of reasons. Drastic weight changes, hormonal changes throughout pregnancy, and aging are the most significant ones. Female breasts contain fat, connective ligaments that make up the fibrous tissue, and glandular tissues for milk production. While men have a few ducts in their chest, women have both ducts and lobules, so breastfeeding is possible. Since there is only muscle underlying the breasts, they are vulnerable to the effects of gravity and aging. As women enter middle age, the skin of the breast and other areas of the body begin to experience degradation of collagen and elastin, connective proteins that support breast positioning and more skin rigidity. ⁽¹⁾ As a result, many women experience skin laxity and the fatty tissue of their breasts projects downward.

Benefits of the Breast Lift

Mastopexies are extremely popular, and there is research to prove it- a report from the American Society of Plastic Surgery detailed that breast lifts were the 3rd most performed cosmetic surgery in 2020. ⁽²⁾ Other research states that the number of these procedures has increased by 70% since 2000. There is quite an appeal for many women who want to be comfortable and pleased with the look of their breasts. A mastopexy:

Candidates for a Breast Lift

Breast lifts are specially designed for women who have experienced dramatic weight loss or those who have experienced “deflation” of their breasts. They are also ideal for women who have downward-pointing nipples or nipples that have descended due to lax skin. Candidates should be non-smokers, at least 20 years of age, and in overall good health. Finally, patients should have realistic expectations– they should not expect to see an increase in the total volume of their breasts. This outcome can only be accomplished with a breast augmentation procedure.

Personal Consultation

If you are bothered by sagging breasts and would like to explore your options for breast lift surgery, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Howard at his offices in the Greater Chicago area. During this meeting, he will evaluate your unique anatomy, discuss your goals, and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve the lifted and firm breasts that you desire. As a surgeon with various specializations related to reconstruction,vascular anatomy, and body contouring, you can feel assured that his expertise will facilitate the best results possible. Dial (224) 271-4250 today to contact a member of his staff who will guide you toward scheduling your appointment at your earliest convenience.

Preparation

Closely following Dr. Howard’s recommended preparation steps will promote a much easier recovery. Before your surgery, you should retrieve your prescriptions from the pharmacy. You may want to do some meal planning that will allow you to focus on resting rather than cooking and other chores. Since it is an outpatient procedure, Dr. Howard recommends coordinating with a trusted friend or family member to take you home afterward.

You may need to make some changes to your medications- blood thinner and anti-inflammatories can result in excessive bleeding, so you will need to stop taking them about 2 weeks before your procedure. If you are a smoker, cigarettes and other tobacco products can negatively impact your blood circulation during your recovery phase. Dr. Howard advises smokers to quit for a few weeks to help the body heal optimally. Getting quality sleep the night before is an important aspect of supporting your health for the following day. Finally, you should wear clothing that will be easy and comfortable to change out of on the day of your procedure.

Procedure Steps

Prior to any surgical changes, Dr. Howard’s anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia so that you will be completely unaware of the procedure. During your breast lift surgery, Dr. Howard will employ specific incision techniques to address differing amounts of breast laxity. He will also get a comprehensive idea of what results you would like to see prior to making a decision at the time of your consultation.

Periareolar Incisions

In cases of mild laxity, he will make a periareolar incision that follows the outline of each areola- also called a “donut” incision. With this technique, the dark skin of the areolas will conceal the scar over time. This method primarily serves to reposition the nipple-areola complex while keeping it attached to the breast mound during all surgical modifications.

Circumvertical Incisions

For moderate-to- severe laxity, Dr. Howard may make circumvertical incisions on the breast, also called “lollipop” incisions due to their shape. These include periareolar incisions with an added straight, vertical incision that travels from the areola to the bottom breast crease.

Wise-Pattern Incisions

Wise-pattern, or “anchor” incisions are reserved for those with severe breast laxity. Usually, women who have undergone bariatric surgery or have lost a significant amount of weight require wise-pattern incisions. The incision pattern is the same as the lollipop incisions except that there is an added horizontal incision that travels along the bottom of the breast, also called the inframammary fold. ⁽³⁾

Recovery and Results

After the procedure, you will see a noticeable difference right away, but you will experience some swelling and bruising in the area. Over the next few weeks, these symptoms will recede gradually. If necessary, Dr. Howard will place surgical drains to reduce fluid retention and swelling. He will require you to wear a compression bra full-time for a few weeks to mitigate excessive swelling and protect the incisions.

As soon as you feel up to it, you should walk at regular, short intervals to promote healthy blood flow in the early stages of healing. However, you should avoid strenuous activities, lifting heavy objects, or any repetitive shoulder movements until Dr. Howard says it is safe to do so. Within 1 week, you can return to desk work, but you must wait until the 3 to 6-week mark before going back to the gym. Dr. Howard will closely monitor your progress at follow-up appointments.

Corresponding and Complementary Procedures

Augmentation Mastopexy

For women who want more elevation and volume, an augmentation mastopexy involves breast lift techniques alongside implants. Dr. Howard can speak to you about the many options available and utilize the same incisions for the breast lift in order to insert the implants of your liking. Implants restore the symmetry and fullness that you may have lost as a result of breast ptosis.

Breast Reduction

A breast reduction is similar to a breast lift, but Dr. Howard will remove more tissues such as fat, glandular tissue, and fibrous tissue to significantly reduce their size and improve their cosmetic appearance. If you have any conditions caused by your breasts’ size, for example, rashes, back pain, and/or posture problems, your insurance may cover the cost of your procedure.

Cost of a Breast Lift in Chicago

While cost is an important consideration, it should not be the sole determining factor when choosing a provider. Dr. Howard is an award-winning plastic surgeon who has contributed greatly to surgical scientific research. Not only that, but he works hard to prioritize patient safety and satisfaction above all else. By choosing Dr. Howard, you can trust that you are receiving expert care and are in excellent hands. If you feel ready to find out more about this transformative procedure, call him at (224) 271-4250 or visit one of his locations in the Greater Chicago area.

References

1. Rousseaux I, Robson S. Body Contouring and Skin Tightening Using a Unique Novel Multisource Radiofrequency Energy Delivery Method. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2017;10(4):24-29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5404777/
2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. 2020. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2020/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2020.pdf
3. Martinez AA, Chung S. Breast Ptosis. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567792/