A breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that enhances breast volume and fullness to improve a woman’s appearance. Sometimes, women also need a breast lift, or mastopexy, in conjunction with their augmentation. A circumareolar mastopexy is a more minimal breast lift that limits scarring. This type of lift involves removing a small amount of skin and fatty tissue to raise the position of the breast, resulting in a more uplifted contour. This improves breast and nipple position in relation to the breast implants. There are multiple reasons for undergoing a breast augmentation with circumareolar mastopexy including:
To provide greater volume to breasts for those who feel that their breast size is generally too small.
To regain the breast shape that women may have had prior to having children.
To lift the breasts and nipple to a more desirable position.
To attempt to create symmetry between two unequal breasts.
Surgical Candidates:
Good physical and mental health.
Maintain realistic cosmetic goals for surgical results.
If over the age of thirty, must have healthy mammogram results within one year prior to surgery.
Procedure:
Performed under anesthesia within a hospital or surgery center.
Involves making an incision around the areola, (pigmented area around the nipple) and removing a small amount of breast tissue and skin. Using a special, permanent suturing technique, the nipple and areola are lifted and the breast reshaped.
Saline or silicone implants are placed underneath the chest muscle through this same incision.
Special implant-supporting bra applied following surgery to assist in holding the implants in desired position.
Standard breast augmentation with a circumareolar mastopexy is a day surgery, so patients may go home the day of surgery.
After Surgery:
Oral pain medications are prescribed to control discomfort following surgery.
The following medications are also prescribed to assist in your recovery: antibiotics, muscle relaxant, ibuprofen and stool softener.
The doctor or her assistant will visit with the patient one to two days after surgery for follow-up care.
Individualized instructions will be given with regard to breast massage and length of time to wear special post-op bra.
It is imperative to avoid any strenuous activity for 4 weeks, but patients may resume non-strenuous work within 1-2 weeks.
Traveling far distances is not recommended in the first month following surgery.
Breast Lift
Before
After
A mastopexy, or full breast lift, is a surgical procedure that contours and repositions the breasts, resulting in a more proportional, aesthetically pleasing look. A mastopexy involves removing a small amount of breast tissue, skin and fat to lift the breast and nipple. Depending on individual anatomy and patient goals, a breast implant may also be added to create fullness. Reasons for undergoing a full breast lift include:
To correct the appearance of sagging breasts due to heredity, natural aging or childbearing and breastfeeding
To create more upper breast fullness.
To attempt to create symmetry between two unequal breasts.
Surgical Candidates:
Good physical and mental health.
Maintain realistic goals for surgical results.
If over the age of twenty, must have healthy mammogram results within one year prior to surgery if the surgery requires major breast rearrangement.
Procedure:
Performed under anesthesia within a hospital or surgery center.
A mastopexy involves removing excess skin, fat and breast tissue via a 2 part incision; an incision around the areola, (pigmented area around the nipple), and vertically from the areola to the base of the breast, or fold. The final incision looks similar to a "lollipop" shape. If more skin needs to be removed, then a horizontal incision is made underneath the breast fold. This results in an "anchor" type of incision.
Actual surgical procedure depends on the size and position of the breasts.
Liposuction may be performed within the lateral area of the breast, towards the sides of the body.
Patients may spend one night within the hospital or overnight center, or may even go home the day of surgery.
After Surgery:
Oral pain medications are prescribed to control discomfort following surgery.
The following medications are also prescribed to assist in your recovery:
antibiotics, ibuprofen and stool softener.
The doctor or her assistant will visit with the patient one to two days after surgery.
It is imperative to avoid any strenuous activity for 4 weeks, but patients may resume non-strenuous work with 2-3 weeks.
Dr. Burgess will follow your healing process closely throughout the weeks and months following surgery.
Traveling far distances is not recommended in the first month following surgery.
Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Elisa A. Burgess specializes in Lake Oswego face lift as well as eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), liposuction, tummy tuck and breast augmentation. She serves the entire northwest Portland / Vancouver metro area and beyond.
