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Childbirth, weight loss, and aging can all have an effect on the breasts, causing them to sag and deflate over time. While some women choose to live with sagging breasts, others prefer to seek options for breast enhancement and rejuvenation. A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that is performed to contour the breast tissue and raise the breasts to a more youthful position. Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast lift surgery in Newport Beach, CA at LEA Plastic Surgery.
- What is a Breast Lift?
- Why Choose Breast Lift?
- Am I a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?
- The Breast Lift Consultation
- Preparing for Breast Lift
- The Breast Lift Procedure
- The Recovery
- What Are the Possible Side Effects or Risks?
- Why Should I Choose Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva to Perform My Breast Lift Surgery?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift is a surgical procedure that raises and reshapes the breasts according to the patient’s unique needs. During breast lift surgery, excess skin is removed and the breast tissue is tightened and lifted. The nipples and areolas are repositioned and sometimes resized if necessary. The external and internal breast tissue is then reshaped.
Sometimes, a breast implant is used to add volume to each breast during mastopexy.
Many breast lift patients choose to pair their surgery with another enhancement procedure, and augmentation with breast implants to give the breasts a fuller appearance is the most popular option. Women with extremely large breasts, however, may choose to pair a breast lift in Orange County with breast reduction instead to reduce the size of their breasts that may be causing them discomfort or self-consciousness.
Why Choose Breast Lift?
Women who have noticed that their breasts have gotten flatter or longer over the years or that their nipples now come down below the breast crease and/or point downward may be candidates for a breast lift.
Age, pregnancy, and weight fluctuations take a toll on a woman’s body, and on her breasts in particular. Stretching and sagging from childbirth occurs whether or not a woman chooses to breastfeed. Weight loss and gain can cause the skin on the breasts to lose elasticity. Lastly, gravity can cause the breast ligaments (yes, there are ligaments in the breasts!) to sag.
Many women who undergo breast lift procedures feel more confident and comfortable in their own skin after they have healed from surgery. The physical and emotional benefits of the procedure make mastopexy a great choice for many women.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?
Breast lift surgery should always be done for the patient, never to fulfill someone else’s expectations. Ideal candidates for mastopexy in Newport Beach, CA and Orange County are non-smokers in good physical and psychological health who are at a stable weight.
Good candidates will have realistic expectations for what a breast lift can do for them and should aim for improvement rather than perfection. Women who have recently given birth should wait at least three months after they are done breastfeeding their last child before undergoing a breast lift in Newport Beach.
The Breast Lift Consultation
A consultation with plastic surgeon Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva for mastopexy at our Orange County plastic surgery center is an important part of the breast lift process. During this meeting, your surgical goals will be discussed along with any current medical conditions and medications. You should be prepared to discuss your full medical history with the surgeon, including any pre-existing conditions and risk factors.
Dr. Ho Taghva will examine your breasts, take measurements, and assess your skin quality. The surgeon may discuss supplemental or alternative treatment options based on the information gathered during the consultation.
It is important to come to the consultation prepared with a list of questions for Dr. Ho Taghva. She should be able to ease any concerns you have and provide you with all the information you need to make a decision about your treatment plan.
Preparing for Breast Lift
Depending on what was discussed during the consultation, a mammogram and/or physical exam may be required prior to surgery to help ensure the patient’s safety. Patients who smoke should quit at least six weeks prior to surgery as smoking blocks blood flow and can impede healing. Certain medications should be avoided in the weeks leading up to a breast lift in Newport Beach, including aspirin, which can increase bleeding.
Patients should arrange for someone to drive them to and from their surgical appointment and should ensure that they have help with everyday tasks during recovery. Daily activities such as hair washing and cooking can be a struggle in the days following surgery.
Prior to surgery, patients should make any necessary dietary changes and should consider keeping a regular exercise regimen to maintain a stable weight.
The Breast Lift Procedure
Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva is committed to her patients’ safety and well-being, which is why she operates out of the GALEA Center for Advanced Surgery, a Medicare Accredited facility. Breast lifts are performed on an outpatient basis at the Center, which is located adjacent to LEA Plastic Surgery.
Breast lift surgeries in Newport Beach can be performed using one of several different incision pattern options. There will be a minimal scar on or near each breast, regardless of the technique used, but most patients find the results to be worth this inevitable downside of surgery.
The right technique for your procedure will depend on your breast size and shape, the size and position of your areolas, the amount of sagging present, and the elasticity of your skin. Dr. Ho Taghva will discuss which incision option is right for you during your consultation and will make every effort to minimize scarring.
General anesthesia is typically used, but in some cases, local anesthesia with intravenous sedation is preferable. Incisions can be made around the nipple/areola, around the areola with a vertical incision down to the crease, or around the areola with a vertical incision and a horizontal incision along the crease.
After the incisions are made, the sagging breast tissue is lifted and shaped. If necessary, Dr. Ho Taghva reduces the size of the areola on each breast and repositions them upward. Any excess skin is trimmed and tightened. Finally, the incisions are sutured closed and stitches are placed deep within the breast tissue to support the new breast contour.
The Recovery
Immediately After Surgery
After breast lift surgery in Newport Beach, the breasts will be wrapped in gauze and a compression bandage or surgical bra will help to keep swelling down and support proper healing.
Right after surgery, patients are taken to a recovery room where they will remain for about an hour before being discharged. Detailed postoperative instructions will be provided prior to surgery. It is important to follow the surgeon’s orders closely and to take all the medications she prescribes, including painkillers and antibiotics to prevent infection.
The First Few Days After
In the first few days after surgery, it is important to rest up and take any medication prescribed by the surgeon to manage pain and to keep swelling down. Avoid any straining or lifting and sleeping on your back or side to avoid putting any pressure on the healing breasts.
The First One to Two Weeks After Mastopexy
Be patient while your newly-shaped breasts heal, as swelling and bruising will remain for about two weeks. Soreness around the incision sites is normal for a couple of months after surgery. Some numbness of the breast tissue and around the nipples is normal for up to two months post-surgery. Final results will emerge in six months to a year, once all residual swelling has subsided.
What Are the Possible Side Effects or Risks?
As with any cosmetic surgery in Orange County, breast lift procedures do carry some risks. Choosing a reputable, board-certified plastic surgeon for your breast lift procedure keeps any risks to a minimum. Some possible side effects and complications of mastopexy include:
- Scarring
- Changes in nipple sensation
- Asymmetry or irregular breast shape and size
- Partial or total loss of the areolae
- Breastfeeding difficulty
- Poor reaction to anesthesia
- Bleeding
- Infection
Why Should I Choose Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva to Perform My Breast Lift Surgery?
Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva is one of the top plastic surgeons in Newport Beach and surrounding areas. Her ability to see each patient as unique, combined with her expertise in cosmetic surgery, make her a highly sought-after surgeon for mastopexy and other surgeries of the breast in Newport Beach, Orange County and throughout Southern California.
The decision to get a breast lift is extremely personal, and the surgeon you choose is the most crucial part of the entire process. Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva understands the journey mastopexy patients in Orange County go through when deciding whether or not a breast lift surgery is for them. She can help you determine if the surgery is right for you and is fully upfront and honest with all her patients about what to expect.
Working with Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva gives patients peace of mind in knowing that they are working with a highly-skilled plastic surgeon who is dedicated to delivering the best, most natural-looking results possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It all depends on the patient. Breast augmentation is often recommended as an add-on to patients who want a larger cup size, as breast lift surgery does not add volume.
Ideally, women concerned about sagging breasts should wait until after having children to have a breast lift in order to avoid having to redo the surgery later.
Absolutely! Many patients have a breast lift done as part of a mommy makeover and combine a tummy tuck and liposuction with a breast lift. Breast augmentation is also commonly performed with a breast lift.
A breast lift is used to improve the appearance of the breasts by reversing breast sagging, adjusting breast symmetry, elevating and repositioning the nipples, and contouring the breast shape.
