(251) 929 7850
Breast Lift
(Mastopexy)
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
While many women think of breast augmentation when they imagine enhancing the appearance of their breasts, a breast lift (mastopexy) can lift and reshape your natural breast tissue for a firmer, perkier figure without the need for implants. A breast lift can be ideal for women who notice a deflated appearance to their breasts following pregnancy or weight loss, or may be performed in combination with breast reduction surgery for beautiful final results.
Recognized as a breast lift specialist and one of the top cosmetic surgeons in the Mobile-Pensacola metro area, Dr. James Koehler is a board certified cosmetic surgeon serving patients from Gulfport to Gulf Shores and beyond. Dr. Koehler offers a wide range of plastic surgery procedures for both men and women, and is known for his caring commitment to a patient-first approach. Contact our office today to take the first step.
Are You a Candidate?
The best candidates for mastopexy are women who have concerns about the shape or position of their breasts. If your nipples point fully downward, or hang past the inframammary fold (the natural breast crease under the breast), you may be a candidate for a breast lift. A breast lift can also be performed in combination with breast augmentation for a higher, curvier profile or to help revitalize your figure as part of a mommy makeover or with post-weight loss body contouring. It’s also important to be in good overall physical and mental health, and to have realistic expectations about your results.
Although a breast lift can really bring out the best in your natural assets, it’s important to understand that a lift alone will not provide an increase in fullness in the upper pole of the breast or increase your cup size and add volume. For this reason, women who want a dramatic size boost in addition to an uplifted shape and higher placement may opt to include breast implants at the same time as a lift. During your consultation, Dr. Koehler will go over all your options to help ensure that you’re a good candidate for mastopexy before proceeding with surgery.
Before and After Photos
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These before and after photos contain nudity. Please click/tap to view the images.
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These before and after photos contain nudity. Please click/tap to view the images.
About Breast Lifts
The breasts you develop as a teenager will undergo a lot of changes over the years due to your lifestyle, weight fluctuations and the aging process. The impact of exercise, pregnancy and nursing, weight gain or loss and the way aging affects your body will all contribute to the shape and placement of your breasts. If your breasts have taken on a long, droopy shape or seem to be deflated reflections of their former glory, a breast lift can help raise your self-esteem along with boosting your figure.
A breast lift can be performed on its own, but is also often included with other breast enhancement procedures for the best results. For example, breast reduction surgery nearly always includes a breast lift at the same time, because the breasts need to be reshaped and lifted as part of the reduction process. Women who are considering breast implants but who have naturally saggy breasts are more likely to feel satisfied with their augmentation results if a lift is incorporated at the same time. Dr. Koehler takes a customized approach toward each patient, combining the right procedures to give you the results you hope for.
What to Expect
Every breast enhancement procedure starts out with a personal consultation with Dr. Koehler, along with a physical evaluation. During this time, you’ll discuss together what your hopes are for surgery, along with what you can expect from pre-surgery through post-op and recovery.
On the day of your surgery, Dr. Koehler will make an incision that typically follows the crease below the breast, along with another incision around the areola. Though these access points, Dr. Koehler is able to reshape your breast tissue so it’s centered under the nipple, along with tightening the supportive tissues for an uplifted appearance. The nipple and areola are repositioned and reduced at the same time if necessary. Any excess skin and tissue are removed to create an improved contour.
A breast lift procedure is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia and patients can return home the same day. Most women are back to their normal routines within a week or two, with more vigorous activity and exercise waiting until about 6 weeks after surgery. Any discomfort can typically be minimized with oral medication, and your dressings will be removed 7 to 10 days after surgery.
Dr. Koehler
Educated at the University of Alabama and in practice for over 20 years, Dr. Koehler is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who is devoted to providing exceptional results.
Risks and Complications
Although the risks associated with a breast lift is usually minimal, Dr. Koehler will go over all the potential side effects and complications with you ahead of time so that you’re well-informed before making a decision about your surgery. Common complications include those that are typical for any surgery, like infection or experiencing a negative reaction to anesthesia. Complications like permanent changes in sensation, irregular contours or asymmetry are rare, but still possible. Dr. Koehler will go over all the risks and benefits with you before your surgery so you know exactly what to expect.
Your New Look
You should notice a difference in your breasts right away after surgery, with your final results gradually becoming more visible over the next several weeks to 6 months. Many women have concerns about the visibility of scars after breast lift surgery. Although scars will remain after your procedure, Dr. Koehler carefully plans the necessary incisions so they can be well-hidden by a bra or bikini top. Dr. Koehler will also show you scar minimizing massage techniques and recommend a topical cream to promote optimal healing.
Your final profile should look perkier and more youthful, and your breasts should feel firmer. The results of a breast lift are permanent, although gravity and the aging process will still affect your lifted breasts in the future.
Breast Lift FAQs
How do I find the best breast lift surgeon near me?
When choosing a cosmetic surgeon for your breast lift surgery, look for qualifications such as an affiliation with the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and ample experience performing breast lift procedures. You should be able to find recent before and after photos of real breast lift results and positive online reviews from previous clients. Schedule a consultation or two and meet with each cosmetic surgeon at the top of your list before making your decision.
Dr. James Koehler,
Telephone No.(251) 929-4051
Can I still have children after breast lift surgery?
Yes. You can still have children after having a breast lift, but doing so may affect your overall results. The ideal candidate for breast lift surgery will already be at or close to their target weight and done having children. Gaining and losing weight and breastfeeding after a breast lift can stretch the skin once more and create additional breast sagging which can undo your results.
Dr. James Koehler,
Telephone No.(251) 929-4051
Can I combine mastopexy with other procedures?
A breast lift can be combined with other procedures to reduce the need for additional surgeries and achieve more comprehensive results. While breast lift surgery can effectively reposition the breasts, it isn’t able to add or reduce breast volume. If you would like to enhance or reduce the size of your breasts, you might consider combining your breast lift surgery with a breast augmentation or breast reduction to achieve your goals. Mastopexy can easily be added to a mommy makeover if breast sagging is also a concern.
Dr. James Koehler,
Telephone No.(251) 929-4051
Will a breast lift change my breast size?
During a breast lift, Dr. Koehler reshapes and repositions your breasts by removing excess skin. The breast tissue is not removed during this surgery which means that you should not experience a significant change in your breast size. Although your new breasts may appear slightly smaller, this is simply due to the sagging skin being removed.
Dr. James Koehler,
Telephone No.(251) 929-4051
Will I have scars after breast lift surgery?
Due to the location of the incisions used for breast lift surgery, you will most likely have scarring. Initially, your scars may appear red and raised. However, this should gradually fade over the course of several months. Many patients find that the scars from surgery are of little concern in comparison to the results their breast lift surgery provide. Scars from breast lift surgery are easily covered in a bra or bathing suit.
Dr. James Koehler,
Telephone No.(251) 929-4051
When will I see my final results?
Although many patients are able to see noticeable improvements shortly after surgery, it will take some time before the final results are revealed. After surgery, your breasts should continue to develop and settle into their new shape and position over the course of several months. Keep in mind that individual recovery times and results vary. Be patient and follow Dr. Koehler’s post-operative guidelines to help support your results.
Breast lift surgery can provide long-lasting results. While there is nothing we can do to stop the effects of aging, there are some things you can do to support your results. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a proper diet and exercise regimen can help you enjoy your results for years to come.
Dr. James Koehler,
Telephone No.(251) 929-4051
Contact us online using the “Message us” feature at the bottom of our website or you can call us at 251-929-7850 to learn more about our practice or to schedule your consultation.
Telephone No.(251) 929-4051
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