How to Tell if it’s Time for a Breast Lift in Lubbock

Plastic surgery for the breasts isn’t always about making them bigger. Some women simply need a breast lift, or mastopexy, to give their breasts a more natural, beautiful look. A sagging or drooping bust can be the unfortunate result of the aging process, gravity, significant weight loss, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. A breast lift in Lubbock can also be combined with augmentation or reduction if the patient desires a change in the size of her breasts.

Are You a Good Candidate?

Women who maintain a consistent healthy weight and are in good health, generally speaking, make the best candidates for any plastic surgery. It is also important that you do not smoke, or that you cut out nicotine before and after your breast lift in Lubbock, so as not to increase your risk for complications or impede the healing process. Some physical traits of a good candidate include:

• Sagging, drooping, or pendulous breasts
• Downward pointing nipples
• Nipples that fall below the breast crease
• Stretched out breast skin
• Very large areolae

Mastopexy Methods

Depending on the amount of breast tissue and skin that needs to be removed, your plastic surgeon will use one of these methods to perform your breast lift.

• Crescent Lift: Named for the shape of its incision, this lift is for patients with minimal excess breast skin and often for those getting implants. The incision is made on the top edge of the areola.
• Donut Lift: Also called a periareolar lift, this method is for women who have mild sagging to correct. Two incisions are made: one circles the outer edge of the areola and the other creates a wide circle creating a donut shape of skin to be removed.  
• Lollipop Lift: This mastopexy method uses incisions that resemble the shape of a keyhole to achieve a more dramatic lift. The resulting scars will run along the perimeter of the areola with a vertical line from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease.
• Anchor Lift: Surgeons choose this method for women with the most severe cases of drooping breasts. The incision is similar to that of the lollipop lift, with the addition of another one made at the crease of the breast to create an inverted T shape.

What Happens After Surgery?

After your 1½ – 2-hour breast lift surgery, you will wake up wearing a compression garment or surgical bra. You may experience some soreness as the anesthesia wears off, but your doctor will provide medication to help you manage the pain. Mastopexy patients should sleep on their backs during recovery and avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activity. Most women return to work 5-10 days after their breast lift in Lubbock and can resume full normal activity within 4-6 weeks.

Giving your breasts a fresh, youthful look may be just what you need to get your confidence back. Some of the important decisions you will make about mastopexy include:

• Whether you are a good candidate for a breast lift in Lubbock
• What type of lift would best fit your needs
• Whether you want breast augmentation or reduction to complement your lift
• What to expect from your recovery

For more information, call our office today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.