|
Women who desire
fuller, higher, and younger looking
breasts may be candidates for a breast
lift. A breast lift, also known as
a mastopexy, restores the shape and
firmness to the breasts in women who
have noticed sagginess from breast
feeding, weight gain/loss, and aging.
In breast lift surgery,
the breasts are raised by repositioning
the nipple and the areolas (the pigmented
area surrounding the nipple), often
reducing the size of stretched-out,
oversized areola in the process. If
there has been loss of volume to the
breasts, implants can be inserted
at the same time to restore or enhance
the size of the breasts.
Breast lifts can
be performed using two different types
of incisions. If the sagginess to
the breasts is mild, an incision can
be made strictly around the areola.
If the sagginess to the breasts is
moderate to severe, an incision must
be made around the areola and also
down the middle of the breasts beneath
the areola and also underneath the
breast fold. (Figure A, B, C).
Figure
A
 |
|
Figure
B
 |
|
Figure
C
 |
Dr. Lee's postoperative
instructions for breast lift
- Your breasts
are wrapped with an ACE wrap. Leave
the wrap on for 72 hours. If the
wrap is too tight, you can undo
the ACE bandage and rewrap it more
loosely. But, the ACE bandage should
be snug and provide support for
your new breasts. Also, the ACE
bandage should cover the entire
upper, middle, and lower breast.
DO not wear it like a tube-top with
cleavage showing up top. After 72
hours, you can take the ACE wrap
off and shower. There is surgical
tape over the incision line and
these should stay on even in the
shower. After the shower, you should
wrap your breasts with the ACE bandage
again. Absolutely no baths or swimming
for 3 weeks. Showering is OK after
72 hours.
- Take medications
as directed. Do not take aspirin,
anti-inflammatory medications (Motrin,
Ibuprofen, Alleve) or Vitamin E
supplements for 2 weeks after surgery.
- No driving while
under narcotic medications for pain.
- Ask Dr. Lee in
your first follow-up visit regarding
going back to work.
- You should sleep
on your back for 2 weeks following
surgery.
- Avoid alcohol
or cigarette smoking for at least
3 weeks following surgery.
- Call and make
a follow-up appointment for 7 days
following surgery.
- Do not raise
your arms over the level of your
shoulder for 3 weeks. Do not pick
up objects heavier than a phone
book.
- Bring a sports
bra to your first follow-up visit.
You will be able to wear a sports
bra after Dr. Lee examines you in
the office. NO underwire bras for
3 weeks.
- Do not apply
a heating pad over your breasts.
Portions of your breasts will be
numb and you may get a burn from
the heating pad. Cold packs in the
first 48 hours following surgery
is OK and may help to keep the swelling
down. Apply cold packs over the
ACE wrap, not directly over the
breasts and nipples.
- Scar therapy
for your incisions will start at
2 weeks following surgery. Dr. Lee
will instruct you regarding scar
creams.
- Keep your incision
out of the sun. Sun exposure will
make your scars red, raised, and
persistently irritated for a long
period of time. Make every effort
to avoid the sun for up to 1 year
following surgery. You can cover
up the incision with sun screen
(SPF 15 or above) or clothing.
- You may return
to normal activity and exercise
at 3 weeks following surgery.
- You may feel
“funny”, tingling sensations
over your breasts a few weeks after
surgery. It may affect one breast
more than the other. This is normal
recovery of some sensory nerves
in your breasts.
- If you are constipated,
take over-the-counter laxatives.
You do not want to strain over the
toilet. This may lead to your blood
pressure rising and cause bleeding.
- Call with any
questions or concerns. Dr. Lee is
available through the office phone
number 24/7. Don’t ever feel
badly about calling.
- Report to Dr.
Lee immediately if: A temperature
of 100 degrees or above, excessive
bleeding, excessive pain, enlargement
of one breast associated with increased
pain, bruising, and/or tightness.
Should you experience any of these
symptoms after normal business hours,
call the office number and ask to
have Dr. Lee paged immediately.
Otherwise, call the office at (949)
548-9312.
For a breast lift in Newport Beach California contact this board certified plastic surgeon.
|
