1. I have recently lost weight and I am working on losing more weight.Will weight loss affect the results of a breast lift?

Yes. You should try and be at your goal weight before breast lift surgery. Losing or gaining weight can affect the size of the breast after surgery.


2. Is it safe to have a breast lift during the same setting when I am having another cosmetic surgery?

Generally yes. This would depend on your overall health and what procedure you want to combine. A breast lift can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. I advise my patients to limit their surgery time to less than 6 hours. I frequently combine a breast lift with a tummy tuck or liposuction. It is also important to limit the expected blood loss when combining procedures. This would need to be discussed with your surgeon.


3. How can I find out more about breast lift surgery?

Ask around and get a feel for which surgeons are active in your community. A good starting place is to obtain a list of board certified plastic surgeons in your community. You can find this information at The American Society of Plastic Surgeons website: www.plasticsurgery.org/When you decide on a surgeon, make sure you look at the before and after pictures of their work and try and find patients with your same body type and breast shaping when comparing photographs. Make sure you are comfortable with your surgeon and their work. It is always a good idea to interview more than one surgeon before proceeding.


4. Will a breast lift get rid of stretch marks?

A "full scar" breast reduction would resect the most skin, some of which may contain stretch marks. However, no technique exists where all stretch marks would be removed.


5. What incisions are made for a breast lift?

In general there are three techniques and these techniques vary widely depending on surgeon preference and the amount of lift needed: periaeolar lift (scar around the nipple-aeolar complex (NAC)), vertical lift (vertical scar with scar around the NAC), and full scar or keyhole pattern (vertical and horizontal/breast crease scar with scar around the NAC).


6. How should I prepare for the breast lift surgery?

You should be in good physical condition and be at your ideal weight. Maintain a healthy diet. Do not smoke. Avoid all diet pills and any medication or supplements which can cause bleeding. Take a multivitamin and discuss with your surgeon about adding beneficial herbal supplements such as Anica Montana or bromeline.


7. Is there a lot of pain after a breast lift?

There is discomfort but it should be controlled with oral pain medication. You can expect some numbness to the skin after breast lift. You should not experience excessive pain.