COSMETIC LASER SURGERY CENTRE OF INDIA E-34, GREATER KAILASH - I NEW DELHI - 110048 PHONE +91-11-29236550, 29236912
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.
