1. Are the results from a breast lift permanent?

Breasts are continually changing shape. They grow in youth and are typically quite firm. They are changed by pregnancy and by age. Some women have very elastic skin, and some have more toned skin. The breast shape will change more if the breast is large, due to the increased weight. Women who need a lift generally have more elastic skin. After the skin has been tightened and lifted by surgery the breasts will look much better. However, the skin that remains is the same elastic skin that the patient started with. This skin will stretch out to an unknown degree depending on the degree of elasticity and the weight of the breast. Adding a breast implant to this will add more weight. The larger the implant, the greater the weight, and therefore more relaxation of the final result may occur. Good support with an appropriate bra is very important. This relaxation occurs over the first 6 to 8 months and then the breast will resume changing due to age and possible pregnancy.

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2. Why would I want a breast lift?

Many women do not like the shape of their breasts after pregnancy and breast-feeding. Floppy, saggy breasts are unattractive. Sometimes the breasts droop due to age alone. Sometimes breast droop is defined as the nipple being lower than the crease under breast in the upright position, but this is not the whole story. In some women the breast tissue is mostly lower than the crease, but the nipple is situated quite high on the breast. This is another form of breast droop. The medical term for breast droop is breast ptosis (pronounced tÅ-sis).


3. What should I expect during breast lift surgery?

There are many different forms of breast lift surgery. The surgeon will discuss your options with you. Generally breast lift consists of some degree of skin removal, and the greater the droop, the greater the amount of skin that needs to be removed. With smaller lifts a scar that is limited to around the areola as a circle is all that is required. As the breast gets droopier some surgeons prefer to make a circular scar around the areola and also a vertical scar from the areola to the crease below the breast. If the breasts are extremely droopy it may be necessary to add a transverse scar in the crease under the breasts to the circle and vertical scar.


4. Where will the surgery most likely take place?

The surgery can take place in a properly accredited doctor' s office. Most procedures take place in out patient surgery centers. Some of these are free standing and some are part of a hospital complex. Most surgeons prefer that their patient is fully asleep with an anesthesiologist present, but some will prefer sedation only.


5. When can I return to work and strenuous activity?

In most cases the patient may return to work in about a week, but this varies due the physical activity required by the work. The patient is usually restricted from going to the gym and strenuous activity for about a month.


6. Will I require any blood transfusions during breast lift surgery?

Breast lift surgeries are surprisingly bloodless. In general hardly any blood is lost during the procedure. No blood transfusions are required for this procedure.


7. Is it possible to have my insurance cover my breast lift surgery?

Unfortunately, breast lift surgery comes under the heading of cosmetic surgery. There are virtually no insurance companies that will cover cosmetic surgery. There are many companies that specialize in providing financing to patients who seek cosmetic surgery.