|
S U S P E N S I O N O F B R E A S T
( M A S T O P A X Y )
|
 |
| What
is breast suspension ? |
With
ageing, breasts may droop and nipples may point downwards. When you're
young, nipples usually point outward. Hence, surgeons concentrate
on repositioning them. Excess skin is also cut to tighten the breast
tissue.Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise
and reshape sagging breasts-at least for a time. (No surgery can permanently
delay the effects of gravity.) Mastopexy can also reduce the size
of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts
are small or have lost volume--for example, after pregnancy-breast
implants inserted in conjunction with mastopexy can increase both
their firmness and their size.
|
| The
Best Candidates For A Breast Lift |
The
best candidates for mastopexy are healthy, emotionally-stable women
who are realistic about what the surgery can accomplish. The best
results are usually achieved in women with small, sagging breasts.
Breasts of any size can be lifted, but the results may not last as
long in heavy breasts.
Many women seek mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing have left
them with stretched skin and less volume in their breasts. However,
if you're planning to have more children, it may be a good idea to
postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect
future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn't interfere
with breast-feeding), pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts
again and offset the results of the procedure.
|
| The
Breast Lift Procedure |
Mastopexy
usually takes one and a half to three and a half hours. Techniques
vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision
following the natural contour of the breast. The incision outlines
the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new
location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the
nipple and areola are moved to the higher position. The skin surrounding
the areola is then brought down and together to reshape the breast.
Stitches are usually located around the areola, in a vertical line
extending downwards from the nipple area, and along the lower crease
of the breast.
Some patients, especially those with relatively small breasts and
minimal sagging, may be candidates for modified procedures requiring
less extensive incisions. One such procedure is "vertical mastopexy",
in which incisions are made around the areola, and a vertical incision
extends down the breast.
If you're having an implant inserted along with your breast lift,
it will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue, or
deeper, under the muscle of the chest wall.
|
| After
Your Breast Lift |
After
surgery, you'll wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze
dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable
for a day or two, but the pain shouldn't be severe. Any discomfort
you do feel can be relieved with prescribed medications.
Within a few days, the bandages or surgical bra will be replaced.
You'll need to wear your sports bra around the clock for six weeks,
over a layer of gauze. The stitches will be removed after a week or
two.
If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a
moisturizer several times a day. Be careful not to tug at your skin
in the process, and keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas.
You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin,
caused by the swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades
as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. In some patients,
however, it may last a year or more, and occasionally it may be permanent.
|
| Getting
Back to Normal After Breast Lift Surgery |
Healing
is a gradual process. Although you may be up and about in a day or
two, don't plan on returning to work for a week or more, depending
on how you feel. And avoid lifting anything over your head for three
to four weeks. If you have any unusual symptoms, don't hesitate to
call Dr. Rajagopal.
You may be instructed to avoid sex, and to avoid strenuous sports
for six weeks. After that, you can resume these activities slowly.
If you become pregnant, the operation should not affect your ability
to breast-feed, since your milk ducts and nipples will be left intact.
|
| |
|
|