Breast Lift

Pregnancy, weight loss, and natural aging can all contribute to undesirable droopiness of the breasts.  At Cosmetique of Manhattan or Long Island, breast lift surgery can elevate the position of your breasts to create a firmer and more youthful-looking appearance.

Who Can Benefit From a Breast Lift?

A breast lift is ideal for healthy women of stable weight, who do not like the droopy appearance of their breasts.  A breast lift can treat:

• Downward pointing areolas or nipples
• Nipples hanging below the breast crease
• Breasts with decreased firmness
• Sagging, pendulous breasts

A breast lift should give your breasts better contour and a more youthful appearance. The breasts will be firmer, higher and appear fuller and more rounded. A breast lift will not affect the size or volume of your breasts, but will return them to their natural position.  If you like the size and appearance of your breasts in a bra, then a breast lift may be perfect for you.  If you feel that the size of your breasts is still too small, a breast lift may be combined with breast enlargement.

The best way to determine if you are an ideal candidate for a breast lift is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gotkin.

What to Expect During Your Breast Lift

A breast lift is performed under general or local anesthesia combined with intravenous sedation. Incisions are made around the areola, along the crease underneath the breast, and in a vertical line from 6 o’clock on the areola to the incision in the breast crease. Excess skin is removed from the bottom of the breast and the nipple, areola, and the entire breast are moved to a higher, more youthful position on the chest. As with any surgery, there will be some temporary loss of sensibility to the nipple and areola, but the way the procedure is performed reduces the risk of any permanent sensory loss.

For some patients, other incision patterns may be appropriate. Dr. Gotkin will help you determine which technique is best for you based on your degree of breast sagging.

After Your Breast Lift Surgery

After surgery, the incisions are bandaged and you are placed in a soft bra. No drains are used. Some initial swelling will contribute to a feeling of discomfort or tightness in the chest. You will continue to wear the soft bra for the first several weeks of recovery to promote comfort, healing and to minimize swelling.  Although significant pain is unusual in breast lift surgery, medications are prescribed to use if necessary.  Most stitches dissolve; any that need to come out will be removed in three weeks.

Recovery times vary. Normal activities are usually resumed in about a week and more strenuous activity in 3-6 weeks. After that, your breasts will still need to be protected from impact and sun exposure for several months. Incision lines will fade and flatten over the course of 12-18 months.