breast lift results

December 6, 2018

Ask Dr. Elliott: How Can a Breast Lift Help Me?

Blog, Breast Lift, Breast Surgery breast lift atlanta, Breast lift FAQ, breast lift results, breast plastic surgery, how is a breast lift done, what does a breast lift do

What does it mean for a woman to enhance her breasts? For some people, the term “breast enhancement” may be synonymous with increasing the size of the breasts with implants. However, many women are satisfied with their breast size and are primarily concerned with altering the firmness and positioning of their breasts. This is why breast lift surgery is so consistently in-demand. A breast lift can be an ideal solution for women who experience breast sagging that results from pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuation, or the effects of gravity over time. To help prospective patients have a fuller understanding of how this procedure can help, I have answered a few common questions that I have received over my decades of performing breast lifts.

Question #1: Can chest exercises help treat breast sagging?

Chest exercises can help build strength in your pectoral muscles, but they will not be able to lift or reposition sagging breasts. Unfortunately, the fat you are able to burn during your exercises will have no impact on the stretched, excess skin and tissue that is causing your breast sagging. Undergoing breast lift surgery is the only known way to effectively lift the breasts to a higher, younger-looking position.

Question #2: Will a breast lift also change the size of my breasts?

This is not a result that breast lift patients should count on. Although skin is removed from the breast area during a breast lift, the difference in breast size after the procedure is typically minimal. For women who wish to achieve larger or smaller breasts in addition to their breast lift results, the surgery can be combined with breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery in many cases. However, it’s important to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon first to confirm that combining these procedures is an option for you.

Question #3: How long will the results of my breast lift last?

A breast lift can help you achieve a new, more youthful breast contour, but it cannot stop the natural aging process entirely. However, patients who follow their post-surgical instructions carefully can successfully maintain the results of their procedure for many years. Certain changes to the body that occur due to weight fluctuation or becoming pregnant can negatively affect the results of your breast lift, so it’s wise to wait until you are finished having children before undergoing your surgery.

Having confidence in the positioning and feel of your breasts is a crucial part of feeling good about your overall appearance. If you experience breast sagging, undergoing breast lift surgery can be an excellent way to establish a new, improved breast contour and boost your self-esteem. If you would like to learn more about breast lift surgery or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for cosmetic surgery tips, news, videos, and more.

January 4, 2016

What to Expect Before and After a Breast Lift

Blog, Breast Lift, Breast Surgery, Educational Atlanta breast lift surgeon, Atlanta breast surgeon, atlanta plastic surgeon, breast lift atlanta, breast lift results

Aging happens to all of us, and for the most part, no one is happy about the effect it has on their appearance. While the most noticeable signs of aging are on the face, many women find themselves self-conscious about the toll the years have taken on their breasts as well. Though aging alone can cause breasts to sag, the effects are also magnified by pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, and heredity. The good news is that the breast lift (or mastopexy) is a popular plastic surgery that has proven effective in restoring breasts to more youthful shape. If you’re considering or preparing for a breast lift, knowing what to expect may help to put your nerves at ease and help your procedure go more smoothly.

What to Expect Before a Breast Lift

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, my first step with each potential patient is a consultation. During this appointment, we’ll discuss your aesthetic goals and I will perform an exam to determine whether a breast lift is the right procedure to meet your needs or whether your goals are better aligned with a breast augmentation or breast reduction. We’ll also discuss whether the timing is right for your surgery. For instance, your results will last longer if you are able to keep your current weight stable and if you are not planning on having children in the future, so if you believe you will have weight fluctuations or future pregnancies after your procedure, it may be best to postpone the surgery.

After your consultation, you can also expect to undergo some medical testing to ensure that you are healthy enough for a breast lift. If you are a good plastic surgery candidate, I will give you detailed instructions to follow in order to prepare, including information about medications, planning, not smoking, and more.

What to Expect After a Breast Lift

Mastopexy is typically an outpatient procedure, so after a brief observation period, you will return home for your recovery. You will be wearing an elastic bandage or specialized bra to support your breasts, and it’s important to follow your post-surgical instructions regarding how long you should wear it. Most breast lift patients can return to work after approximately one week, although this will depend on your body’s individual healing process.

While you’ll be understandably eager to see your results, it can take up to a few months for all of the swelling and discoloration to fade, so your final breast lift results will not be visible until this time. As with any surgery, you can expect to have scarring. Depending on your unique needs, your scar will be around your areola, in a vertical line from your areola to the crease at the bottom of your breast, and/or in a horizontal line that follows your breast crease. These scars will fade with time, but they are also easily concealed by a bra or bathing suit, so they shouldn’t typically be visible on a day-to-day basis.

A breast lift is expected to have long-lasting results, but the procedure cannot stop the aging process. While it can typically take decades of aging for your breasts to return to their pre-surgical appearance, your results can also be minimized by weight fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and other factors, so you can maintain your results longer if you plan to keep your breasts at a stable size.

Plastic surgery can be intimidating for anyone, especially if it’s your first. Educating yourself about your procedure and setting your expectations can put your mind at ease and also help to ensure that the process goes more smoothly, which leaves you with the best possible results and a minimized risk of side effects. To learn more about a plastic surgery you’re considering, explore my website or schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott.