Breast Lift (Mastopexy) in Charleston, SC

A breast lift with plastic surgery by Port City Plastic Surgery in Charleston, SC, can give your breasts a more youthful shape. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse offers breast lifts for patients who live in Charleston, Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and the surrounding communities in South Carolina.

What Is A Breast Lift?

The shape of a woman’s breasts depends on:

• A balance of the strength of skin and ligaments against the pull of gravity
• Skin and ligaments lose some of their elasticity with age
• Life events like weight gain and loss can stretch skin and ligaments
• Smoking is particularly damaging to skin elasticity

Breasts can sag or lose shape with age; if the sagging of your breasts makes you feel self-conscious or unattractive, a breast lift may be an option. A breast lift is a technique for reshaping a woman’s breasts to reduce sagging and give them a youthful shape and fullness.

Breast Lift Surgery Can:

• Raise sagging breasts to a higher, more youthful position
• Tighten loose skin
• Reposition your nipple and areola higher on the breast for a more youthful appearance
• Restore a youthful breast shape by bringing together breast tissue that has spread out
• Improve breast symmetry, shape, size, and position

Who Is The Ideal Candidate For A Breast Lift?

Breast lift surgery can benefit you if your breasts are sagging but have enough volume to make a pleasing breast size and shape. Sometimes, a breast lift might need to be combined with breast implants (augmentation mastopexy) to give the results you desire.

The best way to determine whether you are a good candidate for a breast lift is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse.

What To Expect During the Consultation

Dr. Widenhouse will thoroughly examine the breasts, assessing factors such as skin elasticity, nipple position, and degree of sagging. After the evaluation, Dr. Widenhouse will explain the different types of breast lift techniques and recommend the most suitable option based on the patient’s anatomy and goals. He will also help patients understand if they need a breast augmentation or breast reduction for a more youthful breast contour.

Types of Breast Lifts

Breast lift surgery is performed under IV sedation. There are several different types of incisions used in breast lift procedures. The one used depends on the amount (or degree) of ptosis in your breasts:

Anchor Lift

The anchor lift, also known as an inverted-T or Wise pattern lift, involves three incisions: one around the areola, another vertically from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease, and a third horizontally along the natural curve of the breast crease. This technique is suitable for significant sagging.

Donut Lift

The donut lift involves a circular incision around the edge of the areola. This technique is ideal for patients with mild to moderate sagging, as it allows the surgeon to remove a small amount of skin and elevate the nipple to a higher position.

Crescent Lift

The crescent lift involves a crescent-shaped incision along the upper half of the areola. This technique is suitable for patients with minimal sagging, as it allows the surgeon to lift the nipple and reshape the breast subtly.

Lollipop Lift

The lollipop lift, also known as a vertical lift, involves two incisions: one around the edge of the areola and another vertically from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease. This technique is suitable for moderate to severe sagging, allowing the surgeon to remove excess skin and reshape the breast.

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Breast Lift Procedure Steps

Though it is a serious cosmetic surgery that should only be handled by board-certified professionals, the breast lift procedure is a fairly straightforward, 5-step process:

1. The patient is administered either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation to ensure comfort during the procedure.
2. Depending on the chosen technique, Dr. Widenhouse makes the appropriate incisions, carefully considering the amount of lift needed and the desired breast contour.
3. Dr. Widenhouse removes excess skin and reshapes the breast tissue to achieve a firmer, more lifted appearance.
4. Once the desired shape and position are achieved, the incisions are meticulously closed with sutures, and surgical dressings are applied to the breast skin.
5. The patient is monitored closely as they wake up from anesthesia and are provided with post-operative instructions for optimal healing.

What To Expect After A Breast Lift?

Swelling is expected following surgery; surgical dressings will help manage it for around three days after your breast lift. Dr. Widenhouse may place drains during your breast lift to aid healing, which will be removed five to seven days after surgery. Most patients are cleared to continue normal, non-laborious activities within one week.

As you recover, the sensation will return to the nipples and areolas. This signals the end of the recovery process is near, and you’ll no longer require a support bra. Swelling will decrease in the months following surgery, allowing the breasts to assume their natural position.

How Long Does It Take To Perform A Breast Lift?

For most patients, a breast lift takes approximately three hours to complete. However, this may vary depending on your unique treatment plan.

Will I Have Scars After Getting A Breast Lift?

With proper postoperative care, the scars from a breast lift will generally faint. All scars from a breast lift are at or below the nipple and will be concealed in swimsuits and low-cut clothing.

When Will I See The Results?

You will begin to see the results of your breast lift as swelling subsides in the months after your surgery. Swelling should be completely resolved, and your breasts should settle into their natural positions around six months after surgery.

How Long Will The Results of a Breast Lift Last?

A breast lift’s results do not have a definitive lifespan. Maintaining a steady weight, not becoming pregnant, and properly caring for one’s skin can help the breasts remain taut and lifted.

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Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse is passionately committed to reflecting your inner beauty. Using the latest and most advanced cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures, our team offers full-body plastic surgery, emphasizing overall health and wellness to the residents of Charleston, Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and the surrounding communities in South Carolina. Schedule a consultation with Port City Plastic Surgery today!

MEET DR. WIDENHOUSE Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Charleston, graduated cum laude from Wake Forest University and earned his medical degree from East Carolina University School of Medicine. Dr. Widenhouse specializes in breast enhancement, reduction, and reconstruction, body contouring, facial cosmetic surgery, laser surgery, and skin cancer treatment.

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