Before Breast Lift Surgery

Before undergoing breast lift surgery, you will need to prepare for the procedure by choosing a surgeon, exploring surgical options, and arranging for your post-operative care. Below, we have provided important information to help you prepare for breast lift surgery.

Preparing for the Breast Lift Procedure

Once you have chosen a surgeon to perform your breast lift procedure, you should schedule a pre-operative consultation to discuss your surgery. It is during this consultation that you can further explore the surgical options that your surgeon provides and determine which breast lift technique is right for your goals. Your surgeon will also be able to answer any questions you may have about breast lift surgery.

At the time of your consultation, your surgeon will give you pre-operative guidelines to follow to prepare you for your breast lift procedure. Typically, you should avoid smoking and consuming alcohol in the two weeks prior to your surgery. You may also be advised to stop taking certain vitamins such as vitamin E, and to discontinue use of medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen. Your doctor may also require you to have a mammogram before your surgery.

Prior to surgery, you should arrange for post-operative care from a friend or relative. You will need a ride home from your procedure, and it is recommended that you have someone care for you for the first 24 to 48 hours following surgery.

Understanding Breast Lift Options

An important step in preparing for your breast lift procedure is to explore the types of breast lift surgery that are available. Each procedure has its own benefits and differences in the location of the resulting scars.

Surgical Techniques

All types of breast lifts require an incision to remove excess skin so that the resulting skin can be repositioned. However, there are several types of breast lift surgery techniques available that differ in the incision made and the procedure used to lift the skin.

Standard breast lift surgery uses an anchor or keyhole incision, which starts at the base of the breast in the crease and extends upward around the areola - creating an anchor shape. It is most often used for extensive ptosis (drooping), and results in the most noticeable scarring.

A doughnut mastopexy, also called a Benelli lift or peri-areolar lift, is much less invasive than the anchor breast lift procedure because the incision is limited to a circle around the areola. A piece of skin around the areola is removed and the surrounding skin is reattached to create a lifted look. Scarring is typically minimal.

The laser bra lift, also known as a laser breast lift, is a relatively new alternative to the traditional mastopexy procedure. This technique is similar to the standard breast lift procedure but utilizes the removed excess skin to form an internal bra to add support and increase the longevity of the breast lift results. After the excess skin is removed, it is treated with a laser and then attached to the chest wall to help hold the lifted breast tissue in place.

Breast Lift with Augmentation

In addition to lifting the breasts, a breast lift with implants can restore volume to drooping breasts. Typically, less skin needs to be removed during a breast lift when implants are included. In some cases, breast augmentation alone can be an alternative to mastopexy to improve the appearance of drooping breasts by adding volume. However, when implants are placed above the muscle, the extra weight (an average of 12 oz. for each implant) may lead to further ptosis in the future.

Locate a Cosmetic Surgeon near You through DocShop

An important first step in preparing for your breast lift surgery is to find a skilled and qualified cosmetic surgeon in your area. DocShop’s online directory includes listings of surgeons throughout the United States who are experienced in breast lift surgery and the breast lift with augmentation procedure. Visit DocShop’s online directory to find a cosmetic surgeon in your area.