1. Is it safe to do mastopexy on a nicotine user?

No. Smokers should stop at least a month prior to surgery and avoid smoking for at least 6 weeks after the procedure. Smoking byproducts inhibit wound healing which will likely result in loss of skin in the flaps or in the nipple and areola. Interestingly enough, studies have shown that smokers who have quit have a higher incidence of poor wound healing compared with those patients who never have smoked.00


2. Can breasts sag after a breast lift surgery?

Yes. A breast lift like a face lift tightens skin the day of surgery but aging and gravity effects continue, meaning that sagging will likely recur with time. Many women who have breast lifts choose to have another lift years later to maintain the results.00


3. Do I need a mammogram before breast lift surgery?

I require a pre-op screening mammogram within 6 months of a breast procedure on women over the age of 30, or those under 30 who have a history of breast lumps.00


4. How Does a Breast Lift Work?

Most women with droopy breasts have a mismatch between the amount of skin on their chest wall and the volume of breast tissue. This may occur with loss of volume after pregnancy, weight loss or with skin stretching with aging. Some women develop droopy breasts during their teen years, due to low positioned nipples. Breast lifts are designed to position the nipple higher on the breast mound and often also tighten the skin beneath. Sometimes breast implants alone may be used to provide a lift which rotates the nipple and areola upward by filling in the loose skin envelope. So breast lift scars can vary depending on what type of lift is chosen.00


5. When Is the Best Time for a Breast Lift?

The best time for any body contouring procedure is when a patient is at their long term stable body weight. Any change in weight due to diet, exercise or pregnancy can destroy the results. Therefore, I recommend that women should not have a breast lift or augmentation if they plan on having a pregnancy in the near future.00


6. How can I judge how much skin should be removed during the procedure?

See 4 above. A smaller or greater amount of skin may be removed depending on the amount of droopiness and your breast anatomy.00


7. What type of anesthesia is used during mastopexy?

Most of our patients choose general anesthesia at our Joint Commission accredited office facility. However, there are those who have a more minor lift with less skin removed who choose to do this using local anesthesia with or without oral sedation. Anesthesia type is dictated by what type of lift is desired.00