Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons Serving Denver & Lone Tree, Colorado
If your breasts are causing you to feel self-conscious, breast lift surgery (mastopexy) may be the ideal solution. Over a hundred thousand women undergo this surgical procedure to restore the shape and position of their breasts every year.
It's natural for your breasts to change over time. You may begin to notice things such as a drooping breast shape, enlarged areolas, and low nipple position. As a woman, these changes may bother you and affect your sense of beauty, youthfulness, and femininity.
Learn how breast lift surgery can help you by scheduling a complimentary consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeons at 303-706-1100. They have the skill and experience needed to create the beautiful, natural-looking results you desire. Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery proudly welcomes patients from Denver, Lone Tree, and the surrounding areas of Colorado.
- What is a Breast Lift?
- When to Consider a Breast Lift
- Breast Lift Candidates
- Preparing for Your Breast Lift
- The Breast Lift Procedure
- Breast Lift Recovery
- Minimize Breast Lift Scars with Scar Therapy
- What Procedures Can be Combined With a Breast Lift?
- Schedule Your Consultation For a Breast Lift in Denver, CO
What is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift is a surgical procedure performed to restore an elevated, symmetrical, and aesthetically pleasing breast shape. Also known as mastopexy, it is an ideal way to correct drooping and a loss of firmness.
A breast lift begins with the removal of stretched, excess skin. Then, the tissue is reshaped so that it is tighter and better able to support the new breast contour. If downward-facing nipples or enlarged areolas are concerns, the procedure can correct those as well.
When to Consider a Breast Lift
Women often have different motivations for pursuing breast surgery. There are many reasons why you may consider a breast lift, including to:
- Correct changes caused by gravity, aging, pregnancy, heredity, or weight gain and loss
- Improve breast sagging (ptosis)
- Correct elongated, pendulous breasts
- Reduce the size of enlarged areolas
- Elevate nipples that point downward or fall below the breast crease
- Restore a perkier, firmer breast shape
- Help bras and swimwear look and fit better
Breast Lift Candidates
You may be an ideal candidate for breast lift surgery if:
- You are unhappy with the appearance of your breasts:Â Every woman deserves the confidence that comes with feeling good about her body. If you are dissatisfied with breasts that have begun to sag, you deserve to find out about your options for restoration and creating a more youthful breast appearance.
- You have reasonable expectations:Â It is important for you to have a clear understanding of what you would like to change about your breasts, as well as what breast lift surgery can potentially achieve. Additionally, you need to be aware of the considerations associated with the procedure, such as scarring. Our plastic surgeons take the time to educate you regarding these factors during the consultation.
- You do not plan to become pregnant soon:Â Pregnancy, and the physical changes it involves, is likely to cause your breasts to sag again and to change your breast lift results. For this reason, you may want to wait until your family is complete before moving forward with a breast lift.
- Your weight is stable and near your goal:Â Significant weight fluctuations after surgery can impact your results. If you lose a substantial amount of weight after your breast lift, your breasts may take on a deflated or sagging appearance. Once you have reached a stable weight, you may be an ideal candidate for a breast lift.
- You are in good general health:Â Before pursuing any elective surgery, it is crucial to be in good health. Certain medical conditions can affect healing and your outcome, as can smoking. Being healthy will set you up for a smooth recovery with less risk of complications.
These factors serve as general guidelines for candidacy. However, the best way to find out if a breast lift is right for you is by scheduling a complimentary consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeons.
It is difficult to make surgical recommendations without meeting with you in person to go over important details like your medical history, cosmetic concerns, and goals for the procedure. Additionally, our surgeons will need to perform a breast exam in order to give you personalized suggestions. During this time, you will have the opportunity to view before and after photos and ask any questions that you may have.
"I couldn't have had a better experience. The staff is so gracious and welcoming, I felt comfortable the second I walked in the door...My procedure went smooth and I am so so happy with my results."
- Brenda, Google Review
Preparing for Your Breast Lift
The surgeons at Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery will usually require you to have a current mammogram (breast X-ray) before your surgery, especially if you are older than 40. Any breast surgery can alter your mammogram, so it is helpful to have a pre-operative x-ray on record to compare in the future.
In addition to obtaining a pre-operative mammogram, you will get a set of instructions describing how you should prepare for a breast lift. Although some things will be unique to you, possible pre-operative instructions may include:
- Quitting smoking
- Not taking certain medications, particularly those that thin your blood
- Reporting any symptoms of illness to our team
- Not eating or drinking anything after midnight before your surgery
- What clothes you should wear to the appointment
- What to bring to your surgical appointment and what to leave at home
The Breast Lift Procedure
Breast lifts are typically performed under general anesthesia at our outpatient surgical center. Park Meadows Outpatient Surgery is a state-licensed, The Joint Commission-accredited surgery center. It features a private presurgical suite, two operating rooms, two procedure rooms, and a recovery room.
The average breast lift procedure can take anywhere from approximately an hour and a half to three hours. The appropriate approach and technique used will depend on factors such as your breast shape, degree of sagging, amount of extra skin, and areola size. Based on these considerations, our surgeons will utilize the following incision pattern:
- Anchor:Â The anchor incision travels around the areola and vertically down, much like the lollipop pattern. However, it also goes horizontally along the breast crease and offers the most considerable degree of correction.
When Can I Expect to See the Final Results of My Breast Lift?
You can expect to see some of the effects of your breast lift the same day you have surgery. At that time, however, your breasts may look quite tight and high on the chest wall. They will also look bruised and swollen. The swelling and bruising should resolve in a week or two. However, the tightness and height of your breasts may take more time to settle. This can take as long as a year to complete. However, the majority of settling that occurs usually happens two to three months after surgery. At that time, your breasts look and feel softer as well as more youthful.
Will I Wear the Same Bra Size after My Breast Lift?
Over the years, some studies have suggested that a breast lift may reduce breast size by up to one cup. This might happen but it's not an absolute. During your consultation, your doctor can discuss their expectations in terms of the cosmetic outcome of your breast lift. Generally, the removal of excess skin might change bra size, but not necessarily because the breasts are smaller; they simply fit into bras differently. The breast lift shifts volume from sitting primarily across the bottom pole to being more balanced between the lower region of the breast mound and the upper region, above the nipple. It might be more accurate to say that your breasts may be more of the size and shape they were 10 to 15 years ago.
Are the Results of My Breast Lift Permanent?
You can expect to enjoy results that last more than a decade after your breast lift. This is one of the significant benefits of this procedure. In fact, it's possible for breast lift results to last well beyond 15 years. There are several factors that can contribute to your results. These include maintaining a stable weight and muscle tone, wearing sunscreen on your chest skin, wearing supportive bras, avoiding smoking and tobacco use (which degrades tissue firmness), your natural aging process, and whether or not you have children and breastfeed after your breast lift.
Is a Breast Lift the Right Procedure for Me?
It's not uncommon for patients to question whether they would benefit more from breast augmentation or a breast lift when they're unhappy with the shape and overall appearance of this area of the body. There are several questions you may consider as you explore your options for treatment. These include:
- Would I like my breasts to look more youthful?
- How would I describe the current appearance of my breasts? Droopy? Saggy? Deflated?
- Where do my nipples point? Forward or downward?
- Am I happy with my current cup size or might I like larger breasts?
Breast Lift Recovery
You should arrange for someone to drive you and stay with you during the first 24 hours. Make sure to read your post-operative care instructions in advance so that you know what to expect. These directions contain diet and activity restrictions, as well as wound care guidelines.
Initially, you may experience some discomfort or pain after surgery. This is normal and can be managed with medication until it improves.
After your procedure, you will have steri-strips covering your incisions. Some patients will also have tape or bandages covering the breasts to help shape or support the breast after surgery. If you have drains, you and your family will be instructed on how to care for them.
Most women are able to return to work approximately one week after surgery if they do not have a very active job that requires heavy physical lifting or activity. You will need to wear a post-operative bra for shaping and support for about six weeks. It can take up to 6-12 months for the breasts to "settle" and achieve their final shape.
Minimize Breast Lift Scars with Scar Therapy
For women who would like to ensure that their scars fade as much as possible,  scar therapy silicone sheets may be a great choice. Our plastic surgeons have seen first-hand the amazing results that can be achieved with scar therapy
This popular scar therapy product consists of adhesive sheets that stabilize the skin, prevent pulling, and hydrate the scar area as it heals. These elements help to drastically improve the appearance of the scar. At Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery, scar treatment is included in the cost of the procedure.
What Procedures Can be Combined With a Breast Lift?
In some cases, a breast lift alone may not be able to accomplish all your goals. There are several circumstances in which our plastic surgeons may advise combining your breast lift with another procedure. These procedures include:
- Breast Augmentation: A breast lift can help your chest look slightly fuller by reshaping your breast contour; however, the procedure does not add volume or fill out the upper breast area. If you want to round out your upper breast or enhance your breast size, consider pairing your breast lift with breast augmentation. Breast augmentation uses implants to add the fullness you desire.
- Breast Reduction: If you want to reduce the size of your breasts, you may choose to combine your breast lift with a breast reduction. A breast reduction is ideal for correcting pendulous breasts that often cause physical and emotional discomfort. These two procedures complement each other to achieve a smaller breast size and elevate sagging, stretched tissue.
- Mommy Makeover: Many women pursue breast lift surgery to reverse the changes that come with having children. However, pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can affect more than your breasts. A mommy makeover, which is a customized combination of plastic surgery procedures, may be the best option to rejuvenate your figure completely.
Can I Breastfeed After a Breast Lift?
Our board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons are highly experienced with breast lift techniques that preserve breast ductal tissue and sensation, meaning you can typically still breastfeed after your breast lift.
However, there’s always a small risk of damage to your ducts during surgery which could make breastfeeding more difficult. Breastfeeding can also change the shape of your breasts after a lift. If you want to preserve your procedure results and breastfeeding is a priority for you in the future, it’s generally better to wait to get your breast lift.
Can a Breast Lift Fix Asymmetry?
We’ve all heard the phrase, “sisters, not twins,” when it comes to breast symmetry. But while the majority of women have some differences between their breasts, it can be a big concern for the 10% that have severe breast asymmetry.
If you have a degree of asymmetry that makes it challenging to shop for bras or clothing, a breast lift could help. In some cases, only one breast might need to be operated on to create symmetry, though this isn’t as common as correcting both. During the procedure, our board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons can artfully reshape your breasts to create harmony while simultaneously giving you a more youthful physique.
Can a Breast Lift Help My Back Pain?
Many women have back pain related to their breast size. If you have large, drooping, or heavy breasts, that can contribute to stiffness in your neck, shoulders, and back. A breast lift can slightly reduce the size of your breasts, but the weight difference likely won’t be significant.
However, lifting the breasts may help you maintain a better posture. When your breasts aren’t in the way, it can also make physical activity easier. You might find it’s more comfortable to build up your core strength or go to that yoga class which could, in turn, reduce pain.
Who Shouldn’t Get a Breast Lift?
While most women in generally good health qualify for a breast lift, you might not get the results you want from this procedure if:
- You want to significantly increase your cup size. In this case, breast augmentation is a better option.
- You’re currently breastfeeding, pregnant, or trying to conceive. While a breast lift reverses many changes your body goes through during pregnancy, it won’t prevent them. Your results may not last if your body goes through major changes again
- You’re not at a stable weight. If you plan to lose a large amount of weight, you should wait until you're near your goal for a breast lift.
- You have a bleeding disorder. If you have trouble clotting, you need to be cleared by your primary care physician and our team before undergoing any elective surgery
- You’re unable to quit smoking. While we understand how difficult it can be to give up, smoking significantly increases your risk of complications during surgery.
Our providers will review your health history at your breast lift consultation to ensure you’re a good candidate.
What Are the Nonsurgical Alternatives to Breast Lift Surgery?
Any cosmetic surgery is a commitment, so you might wonder if there are nonsurgical alternatives to a breast lift. Unfortunately, topical creams or breast lifting tape only offer a temporary solution.
Building up your pectoral muscles could give your breasts a more lifted and firm appearance, but exercise can’t eliminate excess tissue or skin. While a noninvasive treatment like CoolSculpting® can get rid of the “bra bulge,” it won’t provide the same overall effect. Ultimately, a breast lift procedure will give you the most impactful results.
How Long Should I Wait After Breastfeeding To Get a Breast Lift?
It's generally recommended to wait at least 3 to 6 months after finishing breastfeeding before undergoing a breast lift. This allows your breasts to stabilize in size and shape.
If you're still producing milk or experiencing fluctuations in breast size, it's best to wait until these changes have settled to avoid impacting the final outcome of the procedure. Consulting with your surgeon about your post-breastfeeding recovery timeline is also crucial. They will help you determine the right time for surgery.
Will a Breast Lift Change My Nipple Sensation?
Changes in nipple sensation are possible after a breast lift. However, these are usually temporary.
Some women may experience increased sensitivity. Others may notice decreased sensation immediately after the procedure due to swelling and healing.
Remember that the nerves around the nipple can take several months to recover fully. Permanent changes in sensation are rare, but your surgeon will discuss these risks with you during your consultation.
Are There Any Age Restrictions for Breast Lift Surgery?
There are no specific age restrictions for breast lift surgery. Young women in their late teens or early 20s who experience significant sagging may be candidates. The same applies to older women looking to restore a more youthful appearance.
Your surgeon will assess your situation to determine if a breast lift is appropriate for you, regardless of your age. They will also discuss any other relevant considerations based on your health history.
How Can I Manage Swelling and Bruising After a Breast Lift?
To manage swelling and bruising after a breast lift, follow these guidelines:
- Wear Compression Garments: A surgical bra or compression garment can reduce swelling and support your healing breasts.
- Apply Cold Compresses: Ice packs or cold compresses applied during the first few days after surgery can decrease swelling and soothe discomfort.
- Stay Elevated: Keeping your upper body elevated, even while sleeping, can improve circulation and lessen swelling.
- Stay Hydrated and Follow a Healthy Diet: Proper hydration and balanced nutrition help the body heal faster.
- Avoid Strenuous Activity: Rest and avoid any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise that could worsen swelling or bruising.
Your surgeon will also provide personalized post-op instructions to enhance recovery.
How Soon After a Breast Lift Can I Resume Exercise?
Patients are generally advised to avoid strenuous exercise for at least 4 to 6 weeks following a breast lift.
You can usually resume light activities like walking within a few days after surgery to promote circulation and aid recovery. However, you should avoid any upper-body exercises or movements that could strain the chest until cleared by your surgeon.
Remember that returning to your regular workout routine too early may compromise your healing and affect your results.
How Soon Can I Travel After My Breast Lift Surgery?
Traveling after a breast lift is generally safe after 1 to 2 weeks for short trips, depending on how you feel and your surgeon's approval. However, you should postpone longer flights or travel involving heavy lifting and extensive movement for at least 4 to 6 weeks.
Whether you're taking a short or long trip, it's essential to consider the accessibility of follow-up appointments. Your surgeon may still need to watch your healing progress.
You should always ensure you have the proper post-operative care instructions while traveling, too. This will help you avoid complications like blood clots or infections.
Maintaining Your Results After Breast Lift
Undergoing a breast lift can be life-changing, providing a rejuvenated, youthful appearance to your breasts. To maintain these results, it’s important to follow a few key guidelines:
- Follow Post-Operative Instructions: Adhering to the aftercare instructions provided by your surgeon is crucial for optimal healing and long-term results.
- Wear Supportive Bras: A supportive bra can help maintain your breast shape and prevent sagging.
- Maintain a Stable Weight: Significant weight fluctuations can affect the results of your breast lift. Aim to maintain a consistent weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
- Avoid Smoking: Smoking can impede healing and affect the elasticity of your skin, which can compromise your results.
- Regular Follow-Up Visits: Schedule regular check-ups with your surgeon to monitor your progress and address any concerns promptly.
What Happens if I Get Pregnant After Breast Lift Surgery?
Pregnancy after a breast lift is generally safe, but it can affect the results of your surgery. During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause your breasts to enlarge and then shrink post-lactation, which might lead to sagging or changes in breast shape. If you are planning to get pregnant, it’s advisable to discuss this with your surgeon so they can provide tailored advice and potentially plan for a touch-up procedure if needed after you’ve finished having children.
Breast Lift vs. Breast Reduction: Understanding Your Surgical Options
While both breast lift and breast reduction can improve the appearance of sagging breasts, they serve different purposes:
- Breast Lift: This procedure is designed to elevate and reshape sagging breasts without significantly altering their size. It’s ideal for women who are satisfied with their breast volume but want a more youthful contour.
- Breast Reduction: This surgery reduces the size of large, heavy breasts while also lifting them. It’s suitable for women experiencing discomfort due to overly large breasts, such as back pain, neck pain, or skin irritation.
Understanding the difference between these procedures helps ensure you choose the one that best meets your aesthetic and health needs.
Why Choose Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery?
Choosing the right surgical team is crucial for achieving the best possible results. At Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery, our Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons bring extensive experience and a commitment to excellence. Here’s why you should consider us for your breast lift surgery:
- Expertise and Certification: Our surgeons are Board-Certified, ensuring they have met rigorous standards and have extensive training in plastic surgery.
- Patient-Centered Care: We prioritize your safety, comfort, and satisfaction. From your initial consultation to post-operative care, our team is dedicated to providing a personalized experience.
- Advanced Techniques: We use the latest surgical techniques and technology to ensure optimal results and quicker recovery times.
- Comprehensive Support: Our care extends beyond the operating room. We offer thorough pre- and post-operative support, including follow-up appointments to monitor your healing and address any concerns.
- Reputation for Excellence: With a strong track record of successful surgeries and satisfied patients, Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery is a trusted name in the Denver and Lone Tree, Colorado areas.
Schedule Your Consultation For a Breast Lift in Denver, CO
To learn more about breast lift surgery and receive individualized recommendations, please call 303-706-1100 to arrange a complimentary cosmetic consultation. Visit the gallery to view images of our work. Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery proudly serves Denver, Lone Tree, and the surrounding areas of Colorado.
