Breast Lift

Our patients who have received a Breast Lift procedure in Houston have discovered the following benefits from their procedures:

• Boost in self-esteem
• Ease an active lifestyle
• Long-lasting results
• More attractive breast shape
• Natural nipple projection
• No more sagging breasts
• Reduced skin irritation under the breasts
• Younger and perkier breasts

At Premier Plastic Surgery, Dr. Hankins’ patients typically desire breast lift (mastopexy) surgery due to:

• Loss of breast volume and sagging due to aging
• Loss of breast volume and sagging due to pregnancy
• Loss of breast volume and sagging due to breastfeeding
• Improvements in self-confidence and body image
  

In younger women, the breast is shaped so that the nipple is at or slightly higher than the crease below the breast, the inframammary fold. The upper surface of the breast has a gentle concave contour, whereas the bottom of the breast in profile has a convex contour. There is ample fullness in the upper pole of the breasts.

During pregnancy and in the postpartum period, the breasts swell to produce milk, which results in the stretching of the ligaments that attach the dermis (skin/tissue) of the breast to the pectoralis fascia, or the connective tissue layer immediately above the pectoralis major muscle.

Reduction in the size of the breasts occurs as the fatty tissue and glandular component of the breasts are involuted following discontinuance of breastfeeding. With shrinkage of the underlying tissue of the breasts, the skin envelope becomes deflated, resulting in a progressive descent of the position of the nipple concerning the chest wall. When the position of the nipple falls below the inframammary fold, a condition known as ptosis develops; depending on the degree of tissue loss and skin laxity, the volume deficit may be compensated for with an implant. Or, in more severe cases, excision of the excess skin either with or without an implant.

If you are concerned about any of these conditions affecting your breasts, schedule a breast lift consultation with Dr. Hankins.

On the day of your Breast Lift surgery at Premier Plastic Surgery, Dr. Christopher Hankins will place you under general anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure and will begin the procedure. 

Depending on the incision type discussed during this cosmetic procedure, Dr. Hankins will carefully cut the skin, ensuring minimal scarring, remove excess skin fat, and reposition it for the desired “lift.” The nipple and areola might be moved to a more youthful, natural position or resized if needed, and excess skin above the nipple is pushed down and reshaped to improve the contour, shape, and firmness of underlying tissue in the breast.

Once done, Dr. Hankins will seal the incisions with sutures and put on the compression garment to hold the breasts in place. You might even install a drain or two to expel excess fluids.

Mastopexy is an outpatient procedure. You should prioritize resting and relaxing for the first few days until you feel well enough to resume normal activities. You can return to work one to two weeks later. After surgery, you will receive a compression garment that you should wear almost always. Not only does this help to hold your breasts in their new position, but it also significantly reduces swelling and bruising for an accelerated healing time. Some patients may require drains to expel excess fluids. 

Take prescribed pain medication as necessary to manage lingering discomfort. Although Dr. Hankins schedules follow-up appointments to check on your progress, the stitches are dissolvable and do not need to be removed.