Cosmetic Surgery Tips

Breast Lift Before And After Small Breasts

Before you consider a breast lift, it’s important to understand the procedure and its potential results. A breast lift is a surgical procedure that can help restore volume and firmness to sagging breasts. It is typically performed in conjunction with augmentation procedures such as implants or fat injections.

Breast lifts are often performed on women who have had children, lost weight rapidly and dramatically, or have simply gotten older. Women who are considering having this procedure should be aware of all possible risks before agreeing to undergo the surgery. In this post we will be considering small breast lift without implants and vampire breast lift

Breast Lift Before And After Small Breasts

Overview

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A breast lift is a surgical procedure performed by a plastic surgeon to change the shape of the breasts. During a breast lift, a plastic surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes breast tissue to raise the breasts. A breast lift is also known as mastopexy.

You might choose to have a breast lift if your breasts sag or your nipples point downward. A breast lift might also boost your self-image and self-confidence.

A breast lift won’t change the size of your breasts. However, a breast lift can be done with breast augmentation or breast reduction.

Why it’s done

Breasts change with age. They often lose firmness. And they become less elastic, which means the skin doesn’t snap back into place after being stretched. There are many causes for these kinds of breast changes, including:

  • Pregnancy. During pregnancy, the bands of tissue that support the breasts (ligaments) might stretch. This happens as the breasts get fuller and heavier. The stretching might cause sagging breasts after pregnancy. This may happen whether or not you breastfeed your baby.
  • Weight changes. Changes in weight can cause the breast skin to stretch. It also can cause breast skin to become less elastic.
  • Gravity. Over time, gravity causes ligaments in the breasts to stretch and sag.

A breast lift can reduce sagging and raise the position of the nipples. The surgery can also lift the darker areas surrounding the nipples (areolae). The size of the areolae may be made smaller to keep them in proportion to the newly shaped breasts.

You might consider a breast lift if:

  • Your breasts sag — they’ve lost shape and volume, or they’ve gotten flatter and longer
  • Your nipples fall below your breast creases when your breasts aren’t supported
  • Your nipples and areolae point downward
  • Your areolae have stretched out of proportion to your breasts
  • One of your breasts falls lower than the other

A breast lift isn’t for everyone. If you plan to become pregnant in the future, you might delay getting a breast lift. Your breasts could stretch during pregnancy and offset the results of the breast lift.

Breastfeeding may be another reason to delay a breast lift. Although breastfeeding is usually possible after the procedure, it may be harder to produce enough milk.

While a breast lift can be done on breasts of any size, those with smaller breasts will likely have longer lasting results. Larger breasts are heavier, which makes them more likely to sag again.

Risks

A breast lift poses various risks, including:

  • Scarring. While scars are permanent, they’ll soften and fade within 1 to 2 years. Scars from a breast lift can usually be hidden by bras and bathing suits. Rarely, poor healing can cause scars to become thick and wide.
  • Changes in nipple or breast sensation. Sensation typically returns within several weeks. But some loss of feeling might be permanent. Erotic sensation usually isn’t affected.
  • An uneven shape and size of the breasts. This could occur because of changes during the healing process. Also, surgery typically doesn’t change breasts that were different sizes before surgery.
  • Partial or total loss of the nipples or areolae. Rarely, the blood supply to the nipple or areola can briefly stop during a breast lift. This can damage breast tissue and lead to the partial or total loss of the nipple or areola.
  • Trouble breastfeeding. While breastfeeding is usually possible after a breast lift, some might have trouble producing enough milk.

Like any major surgery, a breast lift poses a risk of bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. It’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to the surgical tape or other materials used during or after the procedure.

How you prepare

At first, you’ll talk to a plastic surgeon about a breast lift. During your first visit, your plastic surgeon will likely:

  • Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions. That includes whether you have a family history of breast cancer.Share the results of any mammograms or breast biopsies. Talk about any medications you’re taking or have taken recently, as well as any surgeries you’ve had.
  • Do a physical exam. To determine your treatment options, the surgeon will examine your breasts — including the position of your nipples and areolae.The surgeon will also consider the quality of your skin tone. Breast skin that has good tone will hold the breasts in a better position after a breast lift. The surgeon may take pictures of your breasts for your medical record.
  • Discuss your expectations. Explain why you want a breast lift. Be clear about how you want your breasts to look after the procedure. Make sure you understand the risks and benefits, including scarring and changes in nipple or breast sensation.

Before a breast lift you might also need to:

  • Schedule a mammogram. Your surgeon might recommend a baseline mammogram before the procedure. You may also need another mammogram a few months afterward. This will allow your medical team to see changes in your breast tissue and interpret future mammograms.
  • Stop smoking. Smoking decreases blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process. If you smoke, it’s important to stop smoking before surgery.
  • Avoid certain medications. You’ll likely need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.
  • Arrange for help during recovery. Make plans for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you as you begin to recover. You might need someone to help you with daily activities, such as washing your hair, during your initial recovery.
  • Be at a healthy weight. Consider making dietary changes or doing an exercise program to assist with weight loss if you’ve gained weight in the past year.

What you can expect

A breast lift can be done in a hospital or an outpatient surgical facility. Sometimes the procedure is done with sedation and local anesthesia, which numbs only part of your body. In other cases, general anesthesia is recommended. You won’t be awake if you’re given general anesthesia.

During the procedure

Techniques used to remove breast skin and reshape breast tissue vary. The specific technique your plastic surgeon chooses will determine the location of the cuts (incisions) and the resulting scars.

Your surgeon might make incisions:

  • Around the areolae — the darker area surrounding the nipples
  • Extending downward from the areolae to the breast creases
  • Horizontally along the breast creases

The surgeon might place stitches deep within the breasts to reshape the breast tissue. Stitches may also be used to reduce the size of the areolae. They remove excess breast skin and shift the nipples to higher positions. Then the surgeon brings together the breast skin . They close the incisions with stitches, surgical tape or skin adhesives.

The procedure typically takes 2 to 3 hours. You can go home on the same day.

After the procedure

After a breast lift, your breasts will likely be covered with gauze and a surgical support bra. Small tubes might be placed at the incision sites in your breasts to drain any excess blood or fluid.

Your breasts will be swollen and bruised for about two weeks. You’ll likely feel pain and soreness around the incisions, which will be red or pink for a few months. Numbness in your nipples, areolae and breast skin might last for about six weeks.

In the first few days after a breast lift, take pain medication as recommended by your health care provider. Avoid straining, bending and lifting. Sleep on your back or your side to keep pressure off your breasts.

Avoid sexual activity for at least 1 to 2 weeks after the breast lift. Ask your health care provider when it’s OK to resume daily activities, such as washing your hair, showering or bathing.

Drainage tubes may be placed near your incisions and are typically removed within a few days. When your health care provider removes the tubes, they will also probably change or remove your bandages.

Talk to your provider about when — or if — your stitches will be removed. Some stitches dissolve on their own. Your provider must remove some types of stitches, often 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure.

Keep wearing the surgical support bra round-the-clock for 3 to 4 days. Then you’ll wear a soft support bra for 3 to 4 weeks. Your health care provider might suggest using silicone tape or gel on your incisions to promote healing.

While you’re healing, keep your breasts out of the sun. Afterward, protect your incisions during sun exposure.

Results

You’ll notice a change in the appearance of your breasts right away. Their shape will continue to change and settle over the next few months.

Initially, scars will appear red and lumpy. While scars are permanent, they’ll soften and become thin within 1 to 2 years. Scars from a breast lift can usually be hidden by bras and bathing suits.

You might notice that your bra size is a little smaller after a breast lift. That may happen even if you haven’t had a breast reduction in combination with the procedure. This is simply a result of your breasts becoming firmer and rounder.

Breast lift results might not be permanent. As you age, your skin will naturally become less elastic. Some sagging might occur, especially if you have larger, heavier breasts. Keeping a stable, healthy weight can help you retain your results.

Breast Lift

Breast Lift Before Photo by Joseph Fodero, MD; Florham Park, NJ - Case 9077Breast Lift After Photo by Joseph Fodero, MD; Florham Park, NJ - Case 9077

Joseph Fodero, MD

Florham Park, NJBreast Lift Before Photo by Mark McRae, MD, FRCS(C); Hamilton, ON - Case 45214Breast Lift After Photo by Mark McRae, MD, FRCS(C); Hamilton, ON - Case 45214

Mark McRae, MD, FRCS(C)

Hamilton, ONBreast Lift Before Photo by Landon Pryor, MD, FACS; Rockford, IL - Case 45092Breast Lift After Photo by Landon Pryor, MD, FACS; Rockford, IL - Case 45092

Landon Pryor, MD, FACS

Rockford, ILBreast Lift Before Photo by Mariam Awada, MD, FACS; Southfield, MI - Case 40158Breast Lift After Photo by Mariam Awada, MD, FACS; Southfield, MI - Case 40158

Mariam Awada, MD, FACS

Southfield, MIBreast Lift Before Photo by Robert Zubowski, MD; Paramus, NJ - Case 23701Breast Lift After Photo by Robert Zubowski, MD; Paramus, NJ - Case 23701

Robert Zubowski, MD

Paramus, NJBreast Lift Before Photo by Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD; Houston, TX - Case 36939Breast Lift After Photo by Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD; Houston, TX - Case 36939

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD

Houston, TXBreast Lift Before Photo by Steve Laverson, MD; San Diego, CA - Case 42016Breast Lift After Photo by Steve Laverson, MD; San Diego, CA - Case 42016

Steve Laverson, MD

San Diego, CABreast Lift Before Photo by Laurence Glickman, MD, MSc, FRCS(c),  FACS; Garden City, NY - Case 38206Breast Lift After Photo by Laurence Glickman, MD, MSc, FRCS(c),  FACS; Garden City, NY - Case 38206

Laurence Glickman, MD, MSc, FRCS(c), FACS

Garden City, NYBreast Lift Before Photo by Laurence Glickman, MD, MSc, FRCS(c),  FACS; Garden City, NY - Case 28587Breast Lift After Photo by Laurence Glickman, MD, MSc, FRCS(c),  FACS; Garden City, NY - Case 28587

Laurence Glickman, MD, MSc, FRCS(c), FACS

Garden City, NYBreast Lift Before Photo by Frederick Lukash, MD, FACS, FAAP; East Hills, NY - Case 35258Breast Lift After Photo by Frederick Lukash, MD, FACS, FAAP; East Hills, NY - Case 35258

Frederick Lukash, MD, FACS, FAAP

East Hills, NY

Small Breast Lift Without Implants

Follow these guidelines to maximize the success of your surgical procedure.

When you are at or very close to your ideal weight, breast lift surgery will produce the best and longest-lasting results. It’s not a good idea to get this surgery if you know you’re going to lose a lot of weight in the near future. This is because your breast size will change as you gain or lose weight, and so will your results. The same logic applies if you plan on having children in the future; postponing breast lift surgery until after you’ve finished having kids would be a wise choice.

To get the most out of your breast lift, you should be prepared for what to expect during and after the surgery. This consultation with Dr. Bresnick is your time to express your goals and concerns. In order to create a personalized surgical strategy, you will discuss your aesthetic priorities. A breast lift without implants involves removing excess skin, which may result in noticeably smaller breasts. A breast lift alone can be very beneficial, but additional procedures like a breast reduction or breast augmentation may be necessary for you to achieve the desired results.

Details of the Methodology
Without the use of breast implants, a breast lift can reposition and reshape the natural breast tissue to create the illusion of fuller breasts and a more youthful profile. The procedure does not remove any breast tissue but does remove excess skin and tighten what is left. Changes can be made to the size of the areola and the placement of the nipple. If you’d like, Dr. Bresnick can also use internal sutures or supportive, dissolvable mesh to help stabilize your breast tissue. Your breast size will not change after a breast lift. Instead, the procedure results in breasts that look natural and are the same size or slightly smaller than before. The breasts have a natural appearance that is more compact, youthful, and elevated.

vampire breast liftA

The promise of a non-invasive breast lift in just 15 minutes with minimal to no downtime has many women wondering if this is the future of breast enlargement. According to Dr. Adams, a world-renowned expert in breast augmentation, vampire breast lifts are unsupported by evidence. If so, the vampire craze probably shouldn’t make it into any kind of beauty products.

Vampire Breast Lift: What Is It?
Vampire breast lifts are so called because, like the fictional bloodsucking creatures they are named after, they drain blood from their victims.

Blood is drawn and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is extracted through centrifugation or spinning during a vampire breast lift. The procedure permits the medical professional to isolate the plasma from the rest of the blood.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is all that’s needed for a vampire breast lift, not the rest of the patient’s blood.

Growth factors, proteins found in abundance in platelets, are thought to speed wound healing and rejuvenate breast tissue, resulting in a fuller, plumper bust.

Separated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is then mixed with dermal fillers and re-injected into the breasts to increase collagen production and circulation. Supposedly, after only a short amount of time, your breasts will feel fuller and firmer.

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH VAMPIRE BREAST LIFTS?
Vampire breast lifts are said to improve breast appearance by eliminating wrinkles, correcting inverted nipples, hiding scars and stretch marks, and tightening sagging skin. Cup size is not increased by the treatment.

These procedures are temporary and offer mainly cosmetic benefits, much like other injectable cosmetic treatments (smoothing wrinkles, for example). Vampire breast lifts are non-invasive injections that may make the breasts appear fuller or the skin and cleavage appear smoother, but do not actually lift or manipulate the breast tissue in any way. However, they are unable to perform a breast-lift.

Some of the claims made about vampire breast lifts have prompted skepticism even among plastic surgeons. Very little evidence supports the assertions that these methods can help lift and enlarge the breasts. Nothing at all, at least, that can be traced back to the PRP itself.

If a woman has breast augmentation with a filler or liquid (such as saline) injected into the breasts, the breasts will appear fuller and perhaps even slightly larger. However, this is simply because more of the substance has been injected into the area.

In orthopedics, PRP treatments are commonly used to speed up the recovery of injured ligaments, tendons, muscles, and joints. Although platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments have been studied and shown to aid in the healing process for these damaged areas in orthopedics, there is no data suggesting that PRP treatments on their own can essentially mimic the effects of a surgical breast lift.

WHEN DO WE START SEEING THE RESULTS?
Doctors claim the results of the vampire breast lift can last for months, but we don’t buy it and we won’t recommend it to our patients.

Because it is a natural injectable, you may feel fuller and see smoother skin immediately after treatment, but these effects will gradually fade as your body reabsorbs the platelets.

Although platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for breast lifts has been shown to increase fullness by stimulating collagen production and blood flow to the area, injectables alone will not give you the same results as a surgical breast lift.

Is there any danger associated with a Vampire Breast Lift? Is there a negative impact?
Vampire breast lifts are completely risk-free if you decide to give them a try. Drawing your own blood, separating out the platelets, and reintroducing them is a non-invasive procedure. When getting PRP therapy, there are no outside factors or foreign substances involved.

No serious allergic reactions or incapacitating side effects are expected unless you have an allergy to the material used in the syringes.

The only potential negative effects are those associated with injections in general. As the platelets are injected through punctures in the skin, you may experience some bruising or soreness at the injection sites. There shouldn’t be any other negative effects, though, because the organic material being injected into your body was made by your own body.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO HAVE A VAMPIRE BREAST LIFT DONE?
While Dr. Adams Plastic Surgery does not offer vampire breast lifts, you can find them elsewhere for between $1500 and $2000 (USD), depending on the clinic and its location.

A breast lift that takes only fifteen minutes and requires no recovery time may sound like the best breast augmentation procedure available, but you should always check the fine print. Very little information is available, and there are almost no reviews or before-and-after testimonials for this relatively new treatment.

As Dr. Adams points out, vampire lifts are, at best, soft tissue fillers. A breast lift or enlargement via fillers is impossible. This means they are useless for achieving a natural breast lift.

Some skeptics of PRP therapy contend that the therapeutic benefits do not increase when rich plasma is added. Too much platelet-rich plasma may be harmful or ineffective if added to an already-imbalanced human body. Some people are wary of vampire breast lifts because they worry about the safety of injecting growth factors into a cancer-prone area.

Traditional breast lifts are the best option if you want your breasts to look and feel like they did when you were younger. Check out the before and after pictures of our breast lift procedures to see the dramatic results that can be achieved by a skilled plastic surgeon. Are you thinking about finding out more information about breast lifts? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us! If you want firmer, younger-looking breasts, Dr. Adams can help.

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