Breast Lift in Long Island, NY

*Individual results may vary

Breast lifts (also known as Mastopexy) are one of the most commonly performed breast procedures. This procedure is for lifting and reshaping sagging breasts. Certain factors that cause the breast to sag are pregnancy, aging, weight loss, and gravity. The breast are made to sit higher on the chest and firmer to the touch by trimming the excess skin and tightening supporting tissue. In addition to this, the areola and nipple are also be re-positioned to enhance the breast appearance even further. Mastopexy is also commonly combined with other cosmetic procedures for the breast such as breast augmentation or breast reduction.

What is a breast lift (Mastopexy)?

A woman’s breasts may sag, or droop as a result of the natural effects of pregnancy, breastfeeding, aging, gravity, weight loss and heredity. A breast lift, or mastopexy, is performed to return youthful shape and lift to breasts that have sagged or lost volume and firmness.

Breast lifts rejuvenate the breasts by trimming excess skin and tightening supporting tissues to achieve an uplifted, youthful contour. After a mastopexy, the breasts are higher on the chest and firmer to the touch. Breast lifts can also reposition and reduce the size of the areola—the dark skin surrounding the nipple—which may have stretched or drooped. Breast size does not change after a breast lift. The shape of your breasts will improve considerably. Women who desire larger, smaller or more rounded breasts may want to consider a breast augmentation or breast reduction together with a breast lift.

Breast Ptosis (Drooping)

Breast (mammary) ptosis is drooping of the breast. It is actually subdivided into two categories. The first category is true ptosis, which is described as drooping of the nipple/areolar complex. For the purposes of discussion, the areola is the pigmented skin around the centrally raised nipple. In a youthful breast, the nipple-areola complex is above the inframammary fold (lower crease of the breast) which is termed 1st degree ptosis. As one ages, and due to the effects of genetics, gravity and pregnancy, the nipple-areola complex may descend to the level of the inframammary fold which is termed 2nd degree ptosis.

When the nipple-areola complex is below the inframammary crease, it is now considered to be 3rd degree ptosis. Pseudoptosis, or false ptosis, refers to the distribution of glandular tissue within the breast. Although the nipple-areola complex may actually be at or above the inframammary fold, the breast may “bottom out” due to the effects of pregnancy, lactation, gravity and genetics. In this situation, there is a loss of fullness in the upper part of the breast. The glandular tissue of the breast sits low on the breast with the bottom edge of the breast below the inframammary crease.

Reasons for Breast Lift Surgery

The best way to think about breast lift surgery is to think of the breast as consisting of two components. The first is the skin “brassiere,” and the second is the glandular/fat content. With pregnancy and lactation, the glandular/fat contents enlarge, thereby stretching the skin. After lactation ceases, the glandular and fat contents revert back towards their previous size or smaller, however the skin has been stretched and does not have the same degree of elasticity. In this regard, the skin envelope remains larger than it was previously. Therefore, the skin envelope, if stretched to its natural degree of tension, would have volume that far exceeds that of the glandular/fat tissue inside it.

Furthermore, as the glandular/fat tissue stretches, the very ligaments that support and sustain the shape of the breasts (Cooper’s ligaments) are stretched and do not go back to their previous size, thereby causing the glandular/fat content to descend downward. Therefore, there are actually two issues causing breast drooping. The first is the disparity in skin brassiere size versus the actual volume of the glandular/fat contents of the breast. This is seen, for example, in a woman who starts with a B cup breast, and then enlarges to a D cup with lactation, then the glandular/fat tissue of the breasts shrinks back down to a B cup in size, but the skin brassiere may be a C or even a D cup. The second issue is the fact that there is loss of firmness and shape of the glandular/fat contents within the breast.

Breast Lift Candidates

A breast lift is a safe and effective procedure for many women seeking to enhance the appearance of their drooping breasts. There are certain restrictions on eligibility. The ideal candidates for a breast lift are women with:

  • Sagging breasts
  • Breasts that have lost shape or volume
  • Breasts that are flat or elongated
  • Nipples or areolas pointing downward
  • One breast lower than the other

In summary, anyone who has grade II or III ptosis of the nipple (nipple-areola complex at or below the level of the inframammary fold) may be a candidate for a breast lift procedure. Pseudoptosis (glandular ptosis) may also be corrected at the time of breast lift surgery. It is also very important that breast lift candidates are healthy, do not smoke, maintain a stable weight and have realistic goals and discuss them with their plastic surgeon prior to surgery. Women planning to have children in the near future are advised to postpone surgery. This is because pregnancy and nursing can counteract a breast lift’s effects by stretching the skin.

I will examine and obtain measurements and note the overall shape, size and elasticity of your breasts, as well as the position of the nipple-areola complex. After careful assessment and incorporating your own personal concerns, I will be able to make recommendations as to which is the best procedure for you.

Patient Testimonials

“I was extremely satisfied with my experience with Dr. Epstein from start to finish. He was very professional and knowledgeable and the staff was also great. I wanted a natural look and that is exactly what I got. I was also very impressed with the 24 hour recovery. I was skeptical at first because I have heard it can be very painful but I was up and walking around with ease the next day and did not have to take any pain medication besides ibuprofen.”

“Doctor listened to my needs and wants and made decisions based on what he thought was best for me and my body. Was very attentive at each appointment and listened to all my concerns and addressed every question I had.”

How is a breast lift performed?

Mastopexy may be performed in a hospital, an outpatient surgery center or a surgeon’s office-based facility. It is usually performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia, and lasts from one and a half to two and a half hours, depending upon the technique required, and if any mesh is used as well. In all cases, breast lift surgery begins with administration of anesthesia or IV sedation. The surgeon makes the necessary incisions, and then he or she lifts and reshapes the breast tissue into its new, rejuvenated contour. He or she moves the nipple and areola higher on the breast and removes extra skin around the perimeter if the areola is enlarged. Finally, the surgeon trims the excess breast skin that resulted from poor elasticity. Stitches layered deep throughout the breast tissue support the lifted breasts.

When the mastopexy is complete, we close the skin with stitches, tissue adhesive and/or surgical tape. Some of the incisions are hidden in the breast crease. Others will be visible. All scars will mature with time.

The Ideal Breast Lift Procedure

The ideal breast lift procedure is one that 1) corrects the disparity in the skin brassiere envelope size versus the volume of glandular/fat contents; 2) elevates the nipple-areola complex and lastly; 3) reshapes the gland/fat contents. When selecting a technique, you and your surgeon need to have a thorough discussion about what your desires are as well as your concerns regarding scarring. Some women are less concerned about the scars than others. This may have a significant impact on which procedure the surgeon feels is best in your case.

Whether the breast lift surgery consists of a periareolar incision only (around the areola), an areolar plus vertical incision from the 6 o’clock position on the areola to the inferior breast crease (lollipop incision), or an incision around the areola, a vertical incision below the areola and a lower breast crease incision (anchor incision), the goals of the procedure are the same. When possible, the glandular tissue itself is elevated off the underlying muscle. It is then re-positioned higher on the chest muscle and the glandular/fat tissue is reshaped with internal sutures (when possible, depending upon technique selected) to help give the breast a more natural and longer-lasting shape.

Breast Lift Techniques

There are several types of incision methods that can be used when performing a breast lift. The technique a surgeon chooses depends on the patient’s breast size, shape, degree of sagging, size and position of the nipples, amount of excess skin, and skin quality.

  • Two rings around the areola in a doughnut shape, which is ideal for women with small breasts and minimal scarring
  • Around the areola and down to the breast crease  “lollipop lift”
  • A “lollipop lift” with an additional incision along the breast crease for an anchor shape, ideal for breasts with significant sagging

All breast lift procedures involve an incision encircling the areola. The three most common incision types are two rings around the areola in a doughnut shape (small-incision mastopexy, generally only recommended for patients with small breasts and minimal sagging); around the areola and from the 6 o’clock position on the areola to the lower breast crease (“lollipop lift”) and in the more extreme cases of drooping, a lollipop incision with an additional half-moon incision along the breast crease (anchor shaped scar) is required. However, using current short scar techniques, this is becoming less common.

Breast Lift with Mesh

Can a Mastopexy be combined with other procedures?

Breast Lift with Augmentation

These two procedures may be performed together, or in a staged fashion, in many cases. Not every woman with ptosis (drooping) of her breasts is a candidate for a breast augmentation simultaneous with a mastopexy. If your breasts are drooping and you wish to be fuller and larger, then a breast augmentation procedure performed at the same time as a breast lift may be the right procedure for you. Your surgeon will assess your breasts in terms of breast volume, skin envelope size, skin elasticity, and your overall aesthetic balance. Only then can a proper decision be made as to whether or not a breast augmentation can be performed concurrently with a breast lift procedure.

Breast Lift Results

If you have realistic goals, you should be very happy with the look of your lifted breasts. You will be able to see the results of your mastopexy immediately after surgery. You may become even more satisfied as swelling goes down and incision lines fade. The breasts should remodel and look even more natural as time progresses.

Breast Lift and Breast Firmness

It is important to understand that a breast lift will not change the quality of your tissues; rather it will remove excess skin and allow the breasts to attain a better shape. If your tissue is of poor quality, with little firmness, that will not change after any type of surgery.

There’s Help For Your Droopy Breasts

How Is Recovery After A Breast Lift?

After a breast lift, patients will likely experience bruising (occasional), soreness and swelling for a few days. The breasts will have a Prineo – Dermabond dressing to cover the incisions, but the breasts will be otherwise free. A support bra is not necessary the first few days, however, afterwards, we do advise our patients to wear a sports bra with a front closure device. Most patients will be able to return to work within a day or two. Patients should avoid exercise and other strenuous activity for about two – three weeks.

What are the risks of a breast lift?

A breast lift is a safe procedure for ideal candidates. Although, there are certain risks with any type of surgical procedure. These may include bleeding, infection, or temporary or permanent numbness in the nipple or areola. There may also be uneven positioning or shape of breasts or nipples, unsatisfactory scarring. You can reduce these risks by choosing an experienced surgeon to perform your procedure. Patients should also follow the surgeon’s instructions before and after treatment.

Schedule a Breast Lift Consultation

To learn more about a Mastopexy procedure or to schedule an appointment with a Breast Lift specialist, give us a call today at (631) 597-8627 or fill out an online contact form and our office will be in touch with you. Our practice serves Hauppauge, NY and the surrounding areas!

Examples of Our Work

To view some before and after photos of the work performed by Dr. Epstein, please visit our photo gallery!

Breast Procedures

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