A breast lift (also called mastopexy) is a type of surgery that can bring your breasts back up to their youthful position so that they’re firmer and perkier. Gravity can take a toll on your breasts, causing them to sag, change shape, and lose volume. Dr. Steve Montante can even reshape them during your procedure.

A breast lift does not change the size of your breasts, however. If you wish to also increase their size, you can have a combination breast lift and breast augmentation. If your breasts are large and causing back and shoulder pain, a breast reduction may be your best choice.

Dr. Montante has performed numerous successful breast lifts for his patients in Richmond, Virginia, allowing women to feel more confident about how they look.

Consultation for a Breast Lift

A breast lift can:

  • Raise sagging breasts to a higher position on the chest
  • Reshape misshapen breasts
  • Reshape and resize areolas, if necessary
  • Improve asymmetrical breasts

Dr. Montante will spend time with you during your initial consultation to hear your concerns and goals, as well as answer your questions. He will review your medical history, followed by an examination of your body. This will allow him to recommend a surgical plan tailored specifically for you.

Dr. Montante will advise you of all preparations to take prior to your operation. If you are a smoker, for example, you will need to stop for a period of time before surgery. Note that it’s best for a woman in Richmond to postpone a breast lift until she no longer plans to get pregnant.

What Should you Expect from a Mastopexy?

This surgery is performed either using general anesthesia or a local anesthetic with sedation, depending upon the patient. The procedure takes 1-1/2 to 3 hours. Afterward, you can go home, but you must have someone available to drive you.

Incisions vary depending upon the amount of lift and reshaping you require. There are three customary incision patterns:

  • Anchor-shaped or inverted-T pattern: This method requires three incisions on each breast – one around the areola, one horizontally across the breast crease, and one vertically from the bottom of the areola to the crease.
  • Lollipop pattern: This method requires two incisions on each breast – one around the areola and one vertically from the bottom of the areola to the crease. If you require a significant degree of lifting or reshaping, this method may not be possible.
  • Short-scar or periareolar pattern, sometimes called a “donut lift”: This method only requires the incision around the areolas and is only possible for women who need a slight lift.

After your surgery, the incisions are sutured and dressed. If the sutures are not dissolvable, they will be removed during one of your post-surgical visits, usually within a few days to a week.

See Our Breast Lift Results

Recovering from a Breast Lift in Richmond

You will wear a surgical bra for about six weeks after your surgery, and you should sleep on your back during this period of time.

You should be able to return to work and resume normal activities within 1-2 weeks, as long as your work does not involve strenuous activity or lifting. You should avoid strenuous exercise for about 6 weeks.

Expect to feel some post-operative discomfort, but this can be managed with oral pain medication. Some bruising and swelling are normal. Swelling will take the longest to resolve, so while your breasts will be immediately lifted, you won’t be able to see the final results of your surgery until all of the swelling has resolved. This could take a few months.

There are visible scars after a breast lift, but they will become flatter, smoother, lighter, and less prominent over time. Dr. Montante will monitor your progress carefully in follow-up examinations. A breast lift in Richmond can help you feel more attractive and confident. Call us today to schedule a consultation to find out more about breast lift surgery.