At West Coast Plastic Surgery, we strive to deliver the best breast lift Sarasota has to offer. A breast lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that elevates and firms lax breast tissue in the lower breast pole, lifting the breasts off of the abdomen. It can also correct nipple ptosis, or downturned nipples resulting from aging, pregnancy, or weight loss. The breast lift procedure is sometimes also referred to as mastopexy.
Patients who are seriously considering a breast lift need to be in good physical health and abstain from smoking for at least six weeks before and after surgery.
Realistic goals are a must before undergoing cosmetic surgery of any kind. Dr. Lambiris screens each breast lift patient for contraindications to surgery, which may include bleeding disorders, pregnancy, diabetes, nicotine use, mental impairment, and certain somatic diseases, among others.
Dr. Lambiris plans the surgery by marking the skin for resection.
The breast lift procedure starts with the administration of anesthesia through an IV followed by intubation. The incision patterns vary based on the type of breast lift. After placing the incisions on the breast mound, he performs de-epithelialization and dissection to free the overlying skin. He then elevates and resects the excess skin. During this process, he also elevates the nipple-areola complex as needed so that it is centered on the breast mound. He then closes the incision with sutures and applies sterile bandages to protect the wound from contamination.
During a breast lift, Dr. Lambiris selects the appropriate surgical technique to effectively lift the breasts with the least amount of scarring. Implants may be added during a breast lift to restore upper pole fullness as well as improve great size and shape.
Commonly known as the anchor breast lift technique, the Wise Pattern incision corrects severe breast ptosis with maximal skin resection. The incision follows the areola and then extends down the lower breast pole, terminating with a horizontal incision at the inframammary fold. Through the incisions, Dr. Lambiris removes the excessive tissue. The breasts take on a perky shape as he closes the incisions. While this method has the most scarring of all available mastopexy procedures, it provides the most significant lift.
To correct moderate breast laxity, Dr. Lambiris may suggest a vertical breast lift technique. This method involves repositioning the nipple-areola complex along with a vertical resection of tissue on the lower breast pole. Unlike the anchor incision, it does not leave a scar along the breast crease. The resulting scar extends circumferentially around the areola and straight down the center of the lower breast pole. Due to the shape of the scar, it is sometimes called the lollipop breast lift.
The crescent breast lift is ideal for patients who require minimal lifting with the least amount of scarring. Dr. Lambiris will resect a crescent-shaped wedge of tissue above the areola. As he sutures the incision closed, the ptotic nipple elevates by a few centimeters.
The donut breast lift elevates the breasts modestly with a periareolar incision. He removes the excess tissue around the areola, then sutures the incision close for a multidirectional lifting effect. This method has a greater lift effect compared to the crescent technique but is not well suited to patients who have severe breast laxity. The scar is hidden around the perimeter of the areola.
Most swelling resolves in the first few weeks, although inflammation can persist for six months to a year.
The incisions heal in approximately three weeks. During this time, the scar flattens and the sutures continue to dissolve. He may advise wearing a compression bra to reduce swelling and improve skin retraction around the new breast shape. Most patients return to an active lifestyle including exercise after six weeks. Generally, most of our Sarasota breast lift patients are able to drive and return to work within one to two weeks.
It takes time for the initial swelling to subside.
Full results are visible approximately six to 12 months after the breast lift surgery. After making a full recovery, the breasts appear more taut and youthful. Both breasts should appear lifted off the abdomen. The nipples are located centrally on the breast mound with improved forward projection. The results are long-lasting, although a breast lift does not stop the aging process.
To find out more about your breast lifting options in Sarasota, book your consultation with Dr. Brandon Lambiris today by calling (941) 366-9818 or click the booking link on this page. Dr. Lambiris is a top-rated board certified plastic surgeon serving patients in Sarasota, North Port, Bradenton, and surrounding areas of Southwest Florida.
Nationally, the average breast lift and a lift with breast implants cost approximately $8,025 and $8,950 respectively. The price can vary widely depending on the experience and geographic location of the surgeon as well as the type of breast lift.
Insurance does not cover cosmetic breast lifting procedures.
There is no pain during the procedure due to general anesthesia. Most patients describe postoperative discomfort as ‘moderate’. Generally speaking, the less invasive the surgical technique, the more comfortable the recovery. To ensure a comfortable recovery, Dr. Lambiris prescribes analgesics for pain relief.
A breast lift aims to correct ptotic nipples and drooping breasts by elevating the breasts and NAC to a more youthful position with improved forward projection. It involves minimal resection of the underlying tissues. This is in contrast to a breast reduction (mammoplasty), which removes a significant amount of breast tissue to reduce the size of overly large breasts. While a breast reduction does have a lifting effect, the primary goal is to decrease bust size.
Removing the lax tissue may result in a modest decrease in bust size, but usually not by much. For patients who need a large amount of tissue resected to achieve perky breasts, Dr. Lambiris may suggest placing breast implants above or below the pectoral muscle to make up the difference. Breast fat injections may also be considered although not everyone is a good candidate for fat transfer.
All surgery carries risks. When performed by a qualified Florida plastic surgeon, a breast lift is considered a safe, low-risk procedure for healthy patients who refrain from smoking and do not present with a heightened risk of complications. Possible complications may include long-term nerve damage, hematoma seroma, poor scarring, uncontrolled bleeding, infection, blood clots, cardiac issues from anesthesia, wound dehiscence, necrotic skin, pulmonary embolism, and dissatisfaction with the cosmetic outcome. Minor risks are more common than serious ones. Dr. Lambiris performs surgery in an accredited facility and follows routine safety precautions such as sterilization. Patients must attend all follow-up visits so Dr. Lambiris can ensure the tissues are healing as expected.
After breast lift surgery, someone must be present to drive you home due to anesthesia. Upper body mobility is limited initially; most patients resume driving in approximately one to two weeks. Take care to read safety precautions on any prescribed medications before operating a vehicle as some drugs may interfere with the ability to drive.
Dr. Brandon Lambiris believes everyone deserves the opportunity to look their best. If you’ve dreamed of having plastic surgery to unlock your true potential, we encourage you to join us for a consultation. Experience the real difference plastic surgery can have on your life at West Coast Plastic Surgery in Sarasota, FL.
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