1. What are some of the most common benefits of breast lift surgery?

The most common benefit is a rejuvenation of the breast to a higher, perkier appearance. Clothes fit better, especially low cut blouses and gowns. Many women use the opportunity to combine the lift with a small implant in order to restore shape in the upper half of the breast, and sometimes to increase the size of the breasts.


2. What will happen at the initial consultation?

The initial consultation is a chance for the patient to assess the doctor and his or her staff, as well as for the doctor to assess whether the patient is a good candidate for the surgery. A lot of education occurs during this consultation, which goes both ways: The doctor educates the patient about the benefits and risks of the surgery, and the patient educates the doctor about what she is looking for. This is a chance for the patient to ask all of her questions and to get a sense of whether she trusts the doctor and his or her staff to be able to care for her before, during and after the surgery. In my practice, I use this consultation as an opportunity to assess whether other things in the patient' s life need to be addressed, such as smoking cessation, weight loss, or stress reduction. The initial consultation ends with an appointment for a second consultation to further discuss the surgery and to go over the most important points.


3. How long does breast lift surgery take?

Between 2 and 3 hours, depending on how much lifting and reshaping needs to happen.


4. Do I have to stay in the hospital?

No. You don' t have to stay in hospital.


5. How much pain is there?

It is not usually significantly painful because the surgery addresses the skin and breast tissue only, without cutting into muscle. In my practice, for my extremely sensitive patients I use a pain buster, which is a portable anesthetic pump that lasts for several days after the surgery and shoots pain medicine right into the site of surgery.


6. What can I expect after breast lift surgery?

Initially, the incisions are raw and can be red for a few weeks. The breasts are swollen after the surgery, although you will notice an immediate improvement in the size and shape. Most people return to work after 5 to 7 days and return to exercise within about a month.


7. What is the long-term outcome like?

The breasts should remain elevated and shapely for many years, usually 7 to 10 years. Gravity is, of course, inexorable and will cause even lifted breasts to sag after a while. This usually does not occur for many years.