Named Among the Best Plastic Surgeons in Boston
Helena O. Taylor MD, PHD, FACS & Stephen R. Sullivan MD, MPH, FACS
Breast lift can create natural appearing breasts, restores a more youthful and perky breast and nipple position and shape, and corrects sagging (ptosis) or deflated breasts from aging, pregnancy and breastfeeding, or weight loss. In addition to sagging or drooping, these changes also cause the areola to become stretched out and large relative to the breast.
Breast Lift or Mastopexy is cosmetic surgery for a woman who feels that her breast position or shape is not in harmony with her body and desires her breasts to be restored to a youthful appearance and position. Breast lift (Mastopexy) is a commonly performed operation by Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan, named among Boston’s Best Plastic Surgeons by their peers in Boston Magazine and Castle Connolly.
In addition to sagging or drooping, these changes also cause the areola to become stretched out and large relative to the breast. A breast lift also reduces the size of the areola (areolar reduction) and restores proper relationship and harmony of the breast and areola. The incision and scar can be hidden around the nipple-areola complex or can extend down to or along the inframammary fold or crease under the breast. The scars lighten and mature over the course of the weeks to months following surgery, often leaving a thin and faint line. A breast lift also reduces the size of the areola (areolar reduction) and restores proper relationship and harmony of the breast and areola.
Periareolar or Circumareolar Breast Lift, also known as a “Donut” Mastopexy, places places the most limited scar at the edge of the areola
Circumvertical Breast Lift, also known as a “Lollipop” Mastopexy, places the limited scar at the edge of the areola as well as a short vertical scar on the underside of the breast
Wise pattern Breast Lift, also known as “Anchor” or “inverted T” pattern Mastopexy, places the limited scar at the edge of the areola and the short vertical scar on the underside of the breast as well as a scar along the inframammary fold
Augmentation and Breast Lift, also known as Mastopexy Augmentation, can use any of the patterns of breast lift described above and through this approach a breast implant can be placed or a natural breast augmentation can be performed with fat transfer
Ptosis is a word doctors use to describe drooping. Breast ptosis can be classified or graded based on severity of drooping.
Grading or breast ptosis or drooping is important because it helps determine the type of breast lift that may provide the best results. Mild or Grade 1 ptosis may be best treated with either the periareolar or circumvertical breast lift or the circumvertical breast lift. Moderate or Grade 2 ptosis may be best treated with the circumvertical breast lift. Severe or Grade 3 ptosis may be best treated with the circumvertical breast lift or the Wise pattern breast lift.
Breast lift is an outpatient operation performed under sedation or general anesthetic. There are many types or techniques for breast lift.
Most breast lifts will necessitate a short “lollipop” shaped scar while longer “Anchor” or “inverted-T” approaches are used for women who correction of significant sagging and skin tightening. During the procedure, breast tissue is preserved and excess skin is removed from the lower breast and around the areola to help create a rounded, lifted, and better contour.
The areola are usually reduced in size and moved up while maintaining connection to the breast tissue beneath. It is often beneficial to use liposuction to contour excess fat deposits in the armpit area. Long-acting local anesthetic is instilled for post-operative comfort, and the incisions are closed with dissolving sutures. We rarely use drains.
Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan often work together as a team to perform breast lift. The operation takes approximately two hours. Women are placed in a soft surgical bra, recover quickly from the procedure, and return home on the same day with limited discomfort.
Benefits Of Breast Lift
Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan care about your recovery and want to ensure you have a gentle and easy recovery. They will talk to you about when you can expect to return to work and exercise depending on the specifics of what you do. On average, our Boston breast lift patients have minimal disruption in normal daily activities, take three to five days off from work, and take two weeks off from exercise.
You may shower the day of or the day after surgery. You can expect some tightness in your breasts and soreness for a few days. We often infuse the tissues with a long-acting numbing medicine (Exparel™) and pain medication will be prescribed for your comfort. Most patients require only Tylenol and Ibuprofen postoperatively. We will provide a soft supportive bra, which can help reduce swelling and ease pressure.
The incision and scar can be hidden around the nipple-areola complex or can extend down to or along the inframammary fold or crease under the breast. The scars lighten and mature over the course of the weeks to months following surgery, often leaving a thin and faint line. The benefits with improvement in breast size, shape and position are usually worth the trade for the scar on the lower portion of the breast.
Although “periareolar” approaches may have a shorter scar, the long-term results may be less favorable in terms of breast appearance and shape when compared to the circumvertical or Wise pattern mastopexy techniques. Our goal is always to use the most limited approach to get the best result from your breast lift Boston plastic surgeons Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan will spend time with you to carefully select a surgical approach that will achieve this.
Yes, breast fullness can be increased with simultaneous breast augmentation at the time of breast lift. Dr. Taylor and Dr. Sullivan commonly perform simultaneous natural breast augmentation with fat grafting or fat transfer or breast augmentation with implant.
For a smaller breast enlargement or augmentation, fat can be gently removed with liposuction from another area of the body where it is unwanted and moved to the breasts at the time of breast lift. The volume of fat grafting may be approximately 75 to 150 cc. Common areas to remove fat for transfer include the abdomen, love handles, and medial thighs. For a larger breast augmentation, breast implants can also be used for a simultaneous breast lift and breast augmentation.
Most patients do not experience significant changes in nipple sensation, but some women may experience increased or decreased nipple sensation following breast reduction. Sensations like numbness, shooting, pain, and burning are common during the healing process, may last several weeks, and gradually disappear. Some patients initially have nipples which are hypersensitive to touch or temperature. If the nipples are sensitive, it is best to desensitize them with gentle touch. If the nipples have less sensation, be patient as it may recover or improve with time.
Preoperatively, In the week before your operation:
Postoperatively,
Please take your medications as directed by Dr. Taylor or Dr. Sullivan to manage discomfort or symptoms.
You are likely to be given:
You may also be given:
Eat a light diet for 2-3 days and avoid spicy food. Some suggestions to ease abdominal discomfort or indigestion after surgery:
WOUND CARE
ACTIVITY
GENERAL OUTCOMES
It is important to be seen by Dr. Taylor or Dr. Sullivan after your operation. They will see you in follow-up appointments at regular intervals, typically 1 week, 2-4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year or as often as needed post-op. Call to schedule your appointments at Taylor & Sullivan Plastic Surgery office at (617) 492- 0620 between the hours of 8:30 – 5:00 or visit our webpage at www.massplasticsurgeons.com. We are always available for postoperative concerns or emergencies and can be reached through our paging service 24 hours per day at (617) 492-0620.
Download our Breast Lift and Breast Reduction Postoperative Instructions Here.
Call Today 617.492.0620
To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Taylor or Dr. Sullivan, please call the office or request an appointment using our form. We welcome your visit and your questions.
300 Mount Auburn St. Ste 304, Cambridge, MA 02138