The following frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ's) will give you a basic understanding of the procedure - when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. These may not answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances.
The doctor will be able to help you with any further concerns you have about how the procedure will affect you personally.
What should I consider before having a breast lift?
A breast lift - or mastopexy - can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with the doctor.
The best candidates for a breast lift are women who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you're physically healthy and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.
How do I plan my breast lift?
During your first consultation you can discuss your expectations frankly with Dr. Ahmed, who will listen to your concerns and give you his professional opinion. He should be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives and limitations of each. Be sure to tell the doctor if you have a family history of breast disease, if you smoke, and if you're taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.
Dr.Ahmed will also provide explanations about general anesthesia, if necessary or sedation and local complementary anesthesia , and your aftercare. The doctor will gladly provide information about cost at the time you requiered.
Do not hesitate to ask the doctor any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.
How do I prepare for surgery?
Dr. Ahmed will give you instructions to help you prepare for surgery. These may include guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications.
Where will my breast lift be performed?
The surgery is performed at Urquiza Plastic Surgery Center, my in-office surgical facility fully accredited by the Ministry of Health .You will usually be admitted on the day of surgery, this is an outpatient procedure.
What type of anesthetic will be used?
Breast lifts are performed under a general anesthetic or sedation, in both cases you'll sleep through the entire operation.
What takes place during the surgery?
Mastopexy techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves either an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast, or a 'vertical scar' technique. Which method is used depends on the shape and size of the breast.
The incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position and the skin is tightened along the planned incisions, reshaping and lifting the breast to the desired new position.
Some patients, especially those with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions. One such procedure is the 'doughnut mastopexy' (i.e. concentric), in which circular incisions are made around the areola, and a doughnut-shaped area of skin is removed.
If you're having an implant inserted along with your breast lift, it will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue, or deeper, under the muscle of the chest wall.
How long will the surgery take?
The length of time in surgery varies for mastopexy from around one and a half to three and a half hours.
What can I expect after my surgery?
Prior to embarking upon surgery it is important that you discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the operation. Breast lift surgery is generally very safe and effective. Make sure you discuss expectations, recovery and potential complications before making your decision.
After surgery, you'll wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn't be severe. Any discomfort you feel will be relieved by medication prescribed by the doctor.
Within a few days, your bandages or surgical bra will be replaced by a soft support bra. You'll need to wear this bra for a variable length of time. Your stitches will be removed after a week or two. If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day. Be careful not to tug at your skin in the process, and keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas.
You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by the swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so.
How long will it take for life to return to normal?
Depending on the level of activity required for your job, you should be able to return to work within a few days.
The doctor will personally advice on when to begin exercises and normal activities. Your breasts will probably be sensitive to direct stimulation for two to three weeks, so you should avoid much physical contact. After that, breast contact is fine once your breasts are no longer sore, usually three to four weeks after surgery.
Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months. After several months, your scars will begin to fade. If you become pregnant, the operation should not affect your ability to breast-feed, since your milk ducts and nipples will be left intact. However, pregnancy may adversely affect the shape of your breasts or the effectiveness of the lift because of the natural changes that occur in breast size and shape.
How will I feel about my new look?
Your satisfaction with a breast lift is likely to be greater if you understand the procedure thoroughly and if your expectations are realistic.
The doctor will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible They often remain red for months, gradually becoming less obvious and usually eventually fading to thin white lines.
Does a breast lift carry any risk?
Although a breast lift is not a simple operation, it's normally safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there is always a very low possibility of complication. You can reduce your risks by closely following your doctor's advice after surgery by resting and taking the prescribed medicine. There is no complication in the vast majority of cases.
Although mastopexy does leave linear scars, they'll most likely be covered by your bra or bathing suit.
The doctor will be able to help you with any further concerns you have about how the procedure will affect you personally.
- What should I consider before having a breast lift?
- How do I plan my breast lift?
- How do I prepare for surgery?
- Where will my breast lift be performed?
- What type of anesthetic will be used?
- What takes place during the surgery?
- How long will the surgery take?
- What can I expect after my surgery?
- How long will it take for life to return to normal?
- How will I feel about my new look?
- Does a breast lift carry any risk?
What should I consider before having a breast lift?
A breast lift - or mastopexy - can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with the doctor.
The best candidates for a breast lift are women who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you're physically healthy and realistic in your expectations, you may be a good candidate.
How do I plan my breast lift?
During your first consultation you can discuss your expectations frankly with Dr. Ahmed, who will listen to your concerns and give you his professional opinion. He should be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives and limitations of each. Be sure to tell the doctor if you have a family history of breast disease, if you smoke, and if you're taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.
Dr.Ahmed will also provide explanations about general anesthesia, if necessary or sedation and local complementary anesthesia , and your aftercare. The doctor will gladly provide information about cost at the time you requiered.
Do not hesitate to ask the doctor any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.
How do I prepare for surgery?
Dr. Ahmed will give you instructions to help you prepare for surgery. These may include guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications.
Where will my breast lift be performed?
The surgery is performed at Urquiza Plastic Surgery Center, my in-office surgical facility fully accredited by the Ministry of Health .You will usually be admitted on the day of surgery, this is an outpatient procedure.
What type of anesthetic will be used?
Breast lifts are performed under a general anesthetic or sedation, in both cases you'll sleep through the entire operation.
What takes place during the surgery?
Mastopexy techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves either an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast, or a 'vertical scar' technique. Which method is used depends on the shape and size of the breast.
The incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position and the skin is tightened along the planned incisions, reshaping and lifting the breast to the desired new position.
Some patients, especially those with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions. One such procedure is the 'doughnut mastopexy' (i.e. concentric), in which circular incisions are made around the areola, and a doughnut-shaped area of skin is removed.
If you're having an implant inserted along with your breast lift, it will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue, or deeper, under the muscle of the chest wall.
How long will the surgery take?
The length of time in surgery varies for mastopexy from around one and a half to three and a half hours.
What can I expect after my surgery?
Prior to embarking upon surgery it is important that you discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the operation. Breast lift surgery is generally very safe and effective. Make sure you discuss expectations, recovery and potential complications before making your decision.
After surgery, you'll wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn't be severe. Any discomfort you feel will be relieved by medication prescribed by the doctor.
Within a few days, your bandages or surgical bra will be replaced by a soft support bra. You'll need to wear this bra for a variable length of time. Your stitches will be removed after a week or two. If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day. Be careful not to tug at your skin in the process, and keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas.
You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by the swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so.
How long will it take for life to return to normal?
Depending on the level of activity required for your job, you should be able to return to work within a few days.
The doctor will personally advice on when to begin exercises and normal activities. Your breasts will probably be sensitive to direct stimulation for two to three weeks, so you should avoid much physical contact. After that, breast contact is fine once your breasts are no longer sore, usually three to four weeks after surgery.
Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months. After several months, your scars will begin to fade. If you become pregnant, the operation should not affect your ability to breast-feed, since your milk ducts and nipples will be left intact. However, pregnancy may adversely affect the shape of your breasts or the effectiveness of the lift because of the natural changes that occur in breast size and shape.
How will I feel about my new look?
Your satisfaction with a breast lift is likely to be greater if you understand the procedure thoroughly and if your expectations are realistic.
The doctor will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible They often remain red for months, gradually becoming less obvious and usually eventually fading to thin white lines.
Does a breast lift carry any risk?
Although a breast lift is not a simple operation, it's normally safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there is always a very low possibility of complication. You can reduce your risks by closely following your doctor's advice after surgery by resting and taking the prescribed medicine. There is no complication in the vast majority of cases.
Although mastopexy does leave linear scars, they'll most likely be covered by your bra or bathing suit.
