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Why Choose Breast Lift Surgery?
If your breasts have lost their shape, fullness and perkiness, it can be difficult to feel confident in swimsuits, certain clothing, or during intimate times. Breasts that sag or nipples that are lower than ideal can also feel physically uncomfortable during activities, especially while exercising. Breast lift surgery can give you firmer breasts that are positioned higher on the chest with improved nipple placement. Patients who choose breast lift surgery are generally happy with the size of their breasts, but they would like perkier breasts and are concerned with sagging breast tissue and nipples as well as volume deflation.
If you would like improved breast placement and would also like to increase breast volume, you may consider combining mastopexy with breast augmentation. If you would like to diminish sagging and reduce the size of your breasts, breast reduction surgery may be the best option for you. These procedures are all technically very similar and are on the same continuum in that they all center around rebalancing the proportion and relationship between the 2-dimensional covering of the breast (the skin) with the 3-dimensional volume of the breast (the glandular and fatty tissue). The choice of which breast procedure will be best for you is individually determined by your starting point and your goal for your breast appearance.
Your Houston Breast Lift Consultation
If you are considering breast lift surgery, the first step is a consultation appointment with Dr. Reis at his Houston or Woodlands office. Dr. Reis prioritizes a collaborative approach to patient care and he will take time to answer all your questions, discuss your goals, and make sure that you are well-informed about your options. If you and Dr. Reis decide that breast lift surgery is right for you, he will ensure that you understand all aspects of your treatment plan.
How Breast Lift Surgery Works
Breast lift surgery is performed in our AAAASF-certified operating facility and is typically an outpatient procedure. Dr. Reis offers anesthesia with a total IV technique, which allows for a pain-free and comfortable procedure without intubation and also reduces postoperative nausea.
Dr. Reis will make an incision in order to lift and reshape the breast tissue. The type of incision will depend on your goals and will be discussed with you before your surgery. Dr. Reis generally uses a periareolar incision with or without a vertical incision. Sometimes an additional horizontal incision beneath the breast may be needed. The periareolar incision is a single circular incision along the edge of the areola. This type of incision results in a fine line and easily concealed scar as it lies at the border between the breast skin and the darker pigmented areola skin, the perfect area to hide an incision. This is a good option to correct mild sagging and deflation. A vertical incision combined with a periareolar incision, called a “lollipop” pattern, involves an incision along the edge of the areola and one vertically from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease. While this incision type will result in an additional scar, it is still easily concealed on the underside of the breast and a vertical incision allows for the removal of excess skin and comprehensive reshaping for moderate sagging and deflation. If additional skin needs to be removed, the vertical incision can be extended horizontally along the breast crease line, commonly referred to as an “anchor” pattern incision. This placement is ideal since the additional incision is completely hidden from view, even without clothing. Once Dr. Reis has achieved the desired positioning, your incisions will be sutured closed with buried absorbable sutures and bandaged.
Breast Lift Surgery Risks
Any surgical procedure involves some risk of complications or side effects. When performed by an experienced plastic surgeon, breast lift surgery is considered a very safe procedure for appropriate candidates. Your individual level of risk will depend on your individual medical history, skin elasticity, and other factors. In general, the
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Breast lift
Mayo Clinic
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possible risks of breast lift surgery
include bleeding, infection, changes in nipple or breast sensation, and incision healing delays. You can improve your chance of a successful outcome by choosing a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who is experienced in breast lift surgery, such as Dr. Reis.
Breast Lift Recovery
After surgery, you should have a friend or family member ready to drive you home. Dr. Reis and his surgical team will give you detailed post-op instructions and you should follow them carefully and call our office if you have any questions. You may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort after your breast lift. Dr. Reis typically recommends a long-acting, non-opioid, injectable nerve blocking medication for long-lasting pain relief that works for three full days. You will need to refrain from strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and exercise for several weeks.
Scar Prevention & Treatment After Breast Lift
Many patients express concerns about developing surgical scars following Breast Lift surgery, and with that in mind, Dr. Reis offers highly effective pre- and post-operative skincare scar regimens that significantly reduce the visible appearance of scars. Dr. Reis also offers skin resurfacing treatments with the state-of-the-art CO2 Laser that can dramatically reduce suboptimal surgical scars. Learn more about scar prevention and treatment after Breast Lift surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lift Surgery
What kind of scars will I have after breast lift surgery?
Your scars will depend on the type of incisions Dr. Reis makes during surgery, which will be discussed during your consultation appointment. The three possibilities are periareolar alone (circular), periareolar with vertical (lollipop), or periareolar with vertical and horizontal (anchor) incisions. Whichever incision type is used, your scars will be concealed by bras and swimsuits and Dr. Reis will discuss aftercare tips to help minimize any scarring
Will a breast lift change the size of my breasts?
Breast lift surgery is not designed to remove a significant amount of breast tissue or change the size of your breasts, only to improve their appearance by reducing sagging and restoring a youthful look. However, some patients feel that their breasts look larger because they sit higher on their chest, while other breast lift patients report a reduction in cup size because they are able to wear closer fitting bras that reflect their true bra size after
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Breast Lifting May Decrease Bra Size, Says Study in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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excess skin is removed
. If you would like to increase or decrease your breast size significantly, Dr. Reis can discuss other breast surgery options with you.
How long do breast lift results last
Breast lift results are long-lasting, but there are several factors that can influence the longevity of your results. You will enjoy
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How long do breast lift results last?
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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longer lasting results
if you maintain a stable weight, take care of your skin, wear a well-fitting bra, and don’t smoke or use nicotine products.
Am I a candidate for breast lift surgery?
If you are bothered by breasts that sag or feel stretched out, or if your nipples point downward, then breast lift surgery may be right for you. Ideal candidates are at a stable weight, non-smoking do not use nicotine products, and are in good general health.
Contact Dr. Reis for Breast Lift Surgery in Houston
If you are interested in breast lift surgery, Dr. Reis has the experience and skill to deliver natural-looking results. Contact us with any questions or to schedule your consultation appointment.
Patient Testimonials
With sweet sensitivity and genuine care, Dr. Reis passionately serves his patients and offers expertise. Beyond my experience...
Dr. Reis and his staff have given exceptional care throughout my experience. They took extra time to answer questions, talk through my...
Everyone in Dr. Reis's office is so friendly and helpful. My procedure went smoothly because they kept me informed every step of the way...
Dr. Reis is an amazing and caring doctor!! Great experience and super results!! His staff is top notch. Facilities are in prestige...
Dr. Reis is an amazing surgeon. He is very knowledgeable, a true professional and he took the time to get to know me, listen attentively...
Sources
1 Mayo Clinic. Breast lift. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-lift/about/pac-20393218 Accessed January 7, 2020.
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Breast Lifting May Decrease Bra Size, Says Study in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
3 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. How long do breast lift results last? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/how-long-do-breast-lift-results-last Accessed January 7, 2020.
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