Breast Lift (Mastopexy) in NYC, New York
The shape and appearance of the breasts begin to shift with age. Among the most significant contributing factors are changes in weight, pregnancy and the breastfeeding that comes with it, along with the natural attraction of gravity.
All of these can dramatically influence the elasticity of the breast tissue, causing them to stretch and droop over time. The noticeable sagging aesthetic of the breast tissue can have a detrimental impact on your self-confidence and you may even start to experience a dull aching pain in the neck, shoulders, and back.
If you are struggling with any of these concerns or symptoms, you may want to consider having breast lift surgery performed. This is one of the most requested procedures for addressing the cosmetic and physical challenges that come with aging and motherhood.
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WHAT IS MASTOPEXY?
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a rejuvenating procedure in which the sagging breasts are lifted and reshaped to restore the symmetrical and contoured aesthetic they once possessed and give you back the self-confidence you've been missing. This is accomplished by removing excess skin and fatty tissues that have been altering the shape of your breasts and lifting the remaining breast tissue for a perkier and more youthful appearance. The results speak for themselves.
The process for rejuvenation begins by making an appointment for a complimentary breast lift consultation with Dr. Itay Wiser of WiserMD. He has acquired decades of vast experience in performing reconstructive breast surgery to help patients reach their ideal aesthetic. A breast lift can make all the difference in helping you achieve the results you want and regain your self-confidence.
In pursuit of those goals, many patients will have the breast lift performed by itself or alongside a breast augmentation or breast reduction procedure. Dr. Wiser will explain these options and you can decide if these additional procedures are right for you.
HOW DOES BREAST LIFT WORK?
While there are many different types of breast lift procedures, almost all of them involve having one or more incisions made in the breast through which excess skin and deposits of fat are removed and discarded. The underlying breast tissue that remains will be shifted to improve breast contour and position so as to restore a more youthful appearance. The nipples and areolas might also be repositioned to match the shape and symmetry of your new breasts.
WHAT TECHNIQUES ARE USED FOR MASTOPEXY / BREAST LIFT?
Dr. Wiser performs a number of advanced surgical techniques that can directly address sagging, loss of volume, and lack of symmetry between the breasts and nipples. Some of these procedures are better suited for certain issues than others. The following are some of the most common techniques that Dr. Wiser performs on a regular basis:
CRESCENT LIFT
A crescent-shaped incision is made along the top of the areola and the sagging tissues are lifted to restore the breast's perky appearance. The incision is placed at this location because it is much easier to reduce the visibility of any scarring that might occur. The scar is typically obscured by the darker skin found at this part of the areola. Breasts that demonstrate minor sagging or asymmetry between the nipples and areolas can benefit greatly from a crescent lift. If the patient desires breast augmentation surgery during a breast lift, a crescent lift is one of the preferred techniques.
DONUT LIFT
Breasts that demonstrate a greater degree of sagging are often given a donut lift which requires a more extensive incision by comparison to the crescent lift. Here, the incision is made around the entire outer edge of the areola allowing for a more dramatic lift. Dr. Wiser may suggest a donut lift procedure for women who also desire breast augmentation surgery at the same time. Many women prefer this technique if they are unhappy with the appearance of the areolae as the incision can alter the size and shape of this portion of the breast.
LOLLIPOP LIFT
This procedure is often recommended for women who require a large amount of breast tissue to be removed and breast contour to be readjusted. The incision is made surrounding the areola, as in the donut lift, with an additional incision made vertically from the lower edge of the areola towards the crease of the breast. Both incisions resemble a lollipop when closed. A lollipop lift can be beneficial for women who want to lift and recontour the breast and alter the size and shape of the areola. The placement of the incisions is also ideal for breast augmentation as no further incisions will be required while performing that stage of the surgery.
INVERTED-T(ANCHOR) LIFT
Many women who experience the most advanced levels of sagging and excess skin and tissue will elect to have this breast lift procedure performed to correct these issues. This type of breast lift utilizes the incisions from a lollipop cut with an additional incision placed horizontally at the crease of the breast. Although the incisions are placed at inconspicuous locations along the edge of the areola and at the natural crease of the breast, the scars from this type of breast lift surgery may be more noticeable after healing, But this technique can have significant positive results for lifting and enhancing the shape, size, and appearance of the breasts.
HOW IS BREAST DROOP CHARACTERIZED AND CLASSIFIED?
The decision for which breast lift procedure is best-suited to the patient's concerns is often made based upon the level of sagging, or ptosis, of the breasts. There are five classifications and Dr. Wiser will examine you to determine how much breast ptosis is evident and recommend the best procedure for correcting the issue.
MILD PTOSIS
This degree of breast ptosis occurs when the breasts have fallen slightly below the breast crease, where the lower part of the breast and the chest meet.
MODERATE PTOSIS
The breast is sagging further below the crease than a level of mild ptosis and this is evident by the positioning of the nipples approximately one to three centimeters beneath the crease.
SEVERE PTOSIS
This level of ptosis is demonstrated when the position of the nipples and areolae have fallen more than three centimeters below the crease of the breast. In cases of severe ptosis, breast augmentation may be recommended along with a breast lift to restore volume and a perky appearance to the breasts.
LOSS OF VOLUME
In some cases, the breast may appear to droop but the nipple has not fallen below the breast crease. This is not an indication of ptosis but loss of breast volume. A lift might be performed with an augmentation procedure to correct the problem.
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE
FOR MASTOPEXY SURGERY?
There are a variety of factors to consider ahead of a breast lift procedure. Many women will come into the office with specific expectations for their appearance after the surgery is completed. But an important consideration must be made as to the health and weight of the patient prior to surgery as these can both have a significant impact on ensuring that your expectations are met.
When you come into the office for a breast lift consultation, Dr. Wiser will explain how fluctuations in weight can threaten to undo the work that has been performed. That is why your health and reaching a desired weight are both crucial to success. If you are currently working on reducing your weight, it's best to wait until your weight goal has been reached and you are able to comfortably maintain it.
Weight gain or weight loss after a breast lift can make the breast tissue droop or sag all over again, negating the work you had performed on your first breast lift procedure. If you are planning to get pregnant and breastfeed, Dr. Wiser may advise you to wait on having the surgery until after you give birth in order to achieve the best possible results.
Patients who are no longer breastfeeding, no longer planning to get pregnant, and have reached their target weight are good candidates for a breast lift. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your breasts for any reason, you might be a good candidate for this type of plastic surgery.
The breasts will demonstrate certain visual attributes that might make you feel unsatisfied with their appearance. Some of the most common factors that would qualify you as a good candidate for breast lift surgery include a loss of volume in the breasts, a marked difference in the shape of the breasts, asymmetry between the breasts where one is hanging lower or appears smaller than the other, and a sagging or drooping appearance.
One of the most significant indications that many women will notice is a change in the position of the nipples. If you find they have started to point downward or the nipples and areolas have fallen below the breast crease, breast lift surgery can be performed to correct these issues.
MASTOPEXY/BREAST LIFT BEFORE & AFTERS
BREAST LIFT SURGERY PROCEDURE
The following are some of the most commonly asked questions about the breast
lift procedure from start to finish:
WHAT IS DISCUSSED DURING MY
MASTOPEXY SURGERY
CONSULTATION?
When you come in for an initial consultation with Dr. Wiser you will first discuss your goals and a determination will be made as to whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. If so, an effective strategy for achieving those objectives will be discussed. Although a number of breast lift surgery procedures exist to address the issues of the patient, an initial consultation with Dr. Wiser will give you the opportunity to discuss your options and decide on the best choice for achieving the results you want.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR SURGERY?
Once the consultation has taken place and a decision has been made on the breast lift procedure that can best address your particular issues, Dr. Wiser will recommend some steps to take ahead of your surgery. The following are some of the preparations he may suggest to best suit your situation:
GET A MAMMOGRAM
If you're over 35, having a mammogram performed ahead of your surgery date will allow for any changes that take place in the breast tissue to be closely monitored so that your physician can better interpret future mammograms with greater accuracy. Since there are significant changes in the breast tissue after a breast lift is performed, a mammogram before and after the surgery can be beneficial when checking for breast cancer and other illnesses.
REFRAIN FROM SMOKING
The overall health benefits to quitting this habit are well-documented, but if you do smoke Dr. Wiser will recommend that you refrain from smoking for a few days prior to your surgery date. Smoking reduces blood flow and dramatically slows the healing process.
HOW IS THE SURGERY PERFORMED?
Breast lift surgery is performed in an operating room of a hospital or surgical center. This is an outpatient procedure which means that you can go home shortly after the surgery is performed. A general or local anesthesia will be used ahead of the procedure and Dr. Wiser will discuss both options to help you decide which is best for you.
The procedure is then performed and Dr. Wiser will make the necessary incisions to remove excess skin and fat before readjusting and repositioning the underlying breast tissue to achieve the desired results.
HOW IS THE SURGERY PERFORMED?
In most cases, breast lift surgery can take an average of two to three hours. If breast augmentation or reduction surgery is performed at the same time, the process can take longer.
IS BREAST LIFT SURGERY PAINFUL?
Every patient is different. What one patient might consider painful another may find mildly uncomfortable. While some patients have reported symptoms of mild to moderate discomfort around two or three days after surgery, those symptoms tend to wear off quickly. Discuss your concerns with Dr. Wiser as to managing post-operative pain and he can review your options for pain medication.
RECOVERING FROM MASTOPEXY SURGERY
Many women who get this type of plastic surgery can expect a recovery time of around two weeks. If additional procedures were performed, the recovery time could be longer. Once the surgery is complete, Dr. Wiser will wrap the breasts in gauze and surgical drains are installed to keep fluids moving from the surgery site if necessary. Many women who get this type of plastic surgery can expect a recovery time of around two weeks. If additional procedures were performed, the recovery time could be longer.
A surgical support garment is worn through the initial week or two to provide ample support to the breasts to help promote healing. After that initial recovery phase, Dr. Wiser will recommend the use of a sports bra for a period of three months.
WHAT DO I DO AFTER MY BREAST LIFT?
Dr Wiser will give you a set of post-surgery care instructions to follow. These instructions will explain when and how to change your bandages and keep the incisions clean. Preventing infection during the recovery period is critical for successful post-op healing and recovery. It is very important that you follow these instructions carefully.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER A BREAST LIFT?
Common side effects you may encounter after surgery include swelling and bruising. These are normal and should subside after a few days. Dr. Wiser will schedule an appointment in the coming days ahead to examine your progress and remove the stitches and drainage tubes, if these were installed. While you can expect to see immediate results right after surgery, be advised that it will take some time for the breasts to adopt the desired shape and appearance as the healing process runs its course.
Before long, the bruising and swelling will have dissipated and the results of your breast lift surgery will become more apparent. The breasts will have a perky appearance, giving your figure a more youthful profile. You can expect these results to last for years to come without the need for further surgery in the future. However, it is your responsibility to maintain those results by managing your overall weight and refraining from any pregnancies. You may notice some very slight sagging of the breasts as you age but this will be minimal compared to the appearance of your breasts prior to surgery.
WHEN CAN I RETURN TO WORK?
The average downtime for patients who have undergone breast lift surgery is about three to seven days. This duration may fluctuate based on the individual and any other procedures that were performed at the time of the breast lift. If your work incorporates strenuous activity, it is best that you wait around two weeks to resume your normal work routine.
BREAST LIFT PRICES IN NEW YORK
The cost of a breast lift procedure can range based upon a variety of factors. The base price will typically increase when additional procedures are performed at the same time.
WHY CHOOSE DR. ITAY WISER AS
YOUR MASTOPEXY SURGEON?
Dr. Wiser has acquired decades of vast experience performing reconstructive breast surgery to help patients reach their ideal aesthetic. He is a New York licensed and Israeli Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. He currently serves as the Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Mount Sinai Elmhurst Hospital.
He has completed two specialty fellowship programs: a reconstructive microsurgery fellowship specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital, and a Lymphedema surgery fellowship program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
The author of over fifty peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Wiser is routinely invited to present his work and research at the largest plastic surgery conferences and symposiums around the world.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT BREAST LIFT SURGERY
Can I have my nipples reduced during a breast lift?
Many of the breast lift procedures that Dr. Wiser offers can also address the size of the nipples and areolae. Discussing your concerns with him during your initial consultation will make it easier to decide which breast lift technique is best for your particular situation.
How can I sleep after Mastopexy surgery?
Dr. Wiser will advise you to sleep on your back in an elevated position throughout the healing and recovery process after surgery. This will reduce discomfort in the chest muscles and allow the breast tissue to fully heal without incident.
Should I combine my Mastopexy surgery with another plastic surgery procedure?
At the time of your consultation, Dr. Wiser will discuss your concerns and expectations from your breast lift surgery. He may recommend additional plastic surgery procedures including breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery.
BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY
Many women will choose to have breast augmentation surgery at the time of breast lift surgery to get the results they want. This is mainly due to the convenience of using the same incisions for both the lift and the introduction of the implants into the breasts. This type of procedure is different from a breast lift in that it corrects loss of volume while enhancing breast contour for a curvier appearance. The most common form of breast augmentation relies on the use of implants to provide that desired curvature to the breast.
Breast implants come in a variety of sizes and textures to fit every figure and any desired appearance. They come in two types – silicone gel and saline. Each has its own advantages and benefits, silicone gel provides a more natural feel, saline results in less scarring after surgery. Dr. Wiser will discuss both options with you ahead of surgery to determine which is best for you and your goals for your personal appearance.
BREAST AUGMENTATION WITHOUT IMPLANTS
Some of our patients have requested an increase in volume and a fuller contour to the breast without the use of implants. This is now possible using something called an auto augmentation breast lift, a unique procedure that increases volume to the upper part of the breast without the placement of an implant. Incisions are made in the breast at the same location as the Inverted-T breast lift procedure. Desired results are achieved by removing tissue from the lower part of the breast and placing that tissue into the upper part of the breast in lieu of an implant. The result is a fuller, rounder profile that offers long-lasting results.
SHOULD I GET A BREAST LIFT IF I HAVE LARGE BREASTS?
A breast lift procedure is ideal for reducing the appearance of sagging and restoring lost volume. But many women complain of pain and discomfort in the neck, back, and shoulders, which can be due to the breasts being too large for the frame of the body. Sometimes a woman may be dissatisfied with the large size of the breasts and desire a smaller profile. That would require breast reduction surgery to have excess tissue and fat removed from the breasts to reduce their size.
If you are interested in having breast lift surgery but would also like to have them reduced in size, Dr. Wiser will review your case and provide some recommendations as to the best options for achieving the results you want to see when you look at yourself in the mirror.
WILL I EXPERIENCE DECREASED SENSITIVITY?
The loss of sensitivity in the breast after a Mastopexy is temporary and should return after a period of roughly six to eight weeks. A loss of sensation in the nipple is the most common form of decreased sensitivity and this can be due to the nerve becoming stretched or severed during surgery. Once the nerve begins to grow back, you will detect a return of normal feeling in the nipple and breast.
IS A NON-SURGICAL BREAST LIFT POSSIBLE?
There are non-surgical procedures possible for lifting the breasts, but these come with varying degrees of success. Dr, Wiser can review these alternatives with you and explain the pros and cons that come with non-surgical treatment for breast ptosis. Once you weigh all of the options you may decide that mastopexy is the best choice to address your concerns.