Breast Lift Columbus, Ohio
All women will experience some degree of breast sagging, also known as breast ptosis, during their lifetime. Collagen loss, a normal part of the aging process, weakens the skin and the connective tissues that support the breasts. As a result, the weight of the breasts gradually stretches the skin. Other factors, such as weight fluctuations and pregnancy, also contribute to ptosis.
A plastic surgery procedure called a breast lift (mastopexy) can restore the youthful position of breasts while also improving their contour. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Zochowski is an expert in breast lift surgery who uses his experience, knowledge, and compassion to provide the best results possible for each patient.
Understanding the Role of Breast Lift Surgery
Breast lifts are the best option for patients who want to improve the shape and position of their breasts, without creating any increase in breast size. Mastopexy will not add any volume to your breasts. On the contrary, because loose skin is removed during this procedure, your breasts will probably be slightly smaller after your breast lift. The primary purpose of breast lift surgery is to make the breasts more pert and symmetrical.
If you wish to lift and augment your breasts at the same time, we can help. Dr. Zochowski can combine mastopexy with the insertion of breast implants to create a simultaneous enhancement of both size and shape. This option is popular with women who’ve lost breast volume and developed ptosis after breastfeeding.
Breast lift surgery may be right for you if you’re struggling with any of the following cosmetic issues:
- Your nipples sit below the breast crease or point downwards.
- Your breasts are more oblong (oval shaped) than round.
- Your breasts appear flat and you would like to improve their contour and projection.
- Your breasts or areolas are uneven.
- Your areolas are larger than you would like them to be.
Understanding the Different Types of Breast Lift Surgery
There are four common mastopexy techniques designed to treat different grades of breast ptosis. Depending on your needs, Dr. Zochowski will recommend one of the following forms of breast lift surgery:
The crescent lift involves just one incision along the upper half of the areola. This makes it the least invasive form of breast lift surgery, and it produces little visible scarring. However, this breast lift technique is only suitable for patients who have low-grade ptosis.
The crescent lift is usually used during combined lift-augmentation surgery. It can correct slight unevenness in the breasts before implants are inserted, producing better overall post-augmentation results. Likewise, because implants themselves provide a slight lift to the breasts and improve their shape, less surgical lifting is usually required when the patient also wants her breasts augmented.
The Benelli lift (also referred to as the “donut” lift) is intended to treat a moderately higher grade of ptosis than the crescent lift. When performing a Benelli lift, Dr. Zochowski makes an incision around the entire circumference of the areola. This allows him to remove more excess skin without producing significant scarring. Once the scar from this incision fades, it’s effectively disguised by the natural change in color and texture of the areola.
The Benelli lift is most suitable for patients who dislike the size or placement of their nipples and areolas. If you have a moderate amount of loose skin on your breasts, but you feel that your areolas are too large or sit too low, this technique may be right for you. The Benelli lift can also reduce the projection of nipples that are too prominent.
The lollipop lift is used to treat moderate sagging. The lollipop lift gets its name from its lollipop-shaped incision pattern: This technique involves the placement of both a peri-areolar incision and a vertical incision (extending down below the nipple to the underside of the breast). The lollipop technique permits the removal of a significant amount of loose skin, making it ideal for women with noticeable ptosis.
The anchor lift is the most complex form of mastopexy, involving a third incision that’s placed in the fold of the breasts. It’s usually reserved for use on large-breasted women who have a high grade of ptosis. This method allows Dr. Zochowski to remove a great deal of excess skin and produce dramatic changes in the shape of the patient’s breasts. The anchor lift is well suited to patients whose breasts are oblong-shaped (rather than round), with downward-pointing nipples.
Who Makes a Good Candidate for Breast Lift Surgery in Columbus?
The ideal breast lift candidate is in good health and a non-smoker. If you smoke, you will need to stop smoking for at least eight weeks before and after your procedure. This is required because smoking impedes the healing process and leads to an increased risk of complications.
Breast lift candidates should also be close to their preferred weight and done having children. Future weight loss usually creates more loose skin, which can result in a recurrence of ptosis. The normal expansion of the breasts during pregnancy can also stretch the skin, causing sagging breasts to return.
Breast lift surgery can sometimes interfere with the patient’s ability to breastfeed, but certain surgical techniques can be used to help avoid this. If you would like to have breast lift surgery as soon as possible, but you’re not sure whether or not you will have more children, discuss this issue with Dr. Zochowski. He may be able to modify your procedure to ensure that your milk ducts are not affected.
Recovering from Breast Lift Surgery
Mastopexy recovery is usually straightforward and is similar to the recovery process that follows breast augmentation. Most patients can expect to return to work after about one week, though patients who’ve had an anchor lift may need to rest for 10-14 days. Full recovery usually occurs within three to four weeks, and some activity restrictions are necessary during this time.
You will not be able to lift heavy objects (including children and pets) for about a month following your operation. For this reason, we recommend enlisting the aid of a caregiver during your recovery period.
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Want to see real patient results?
Explore all the Breast Lift cases performed by Dr. Christopher Zochowski in Columbus, Ohio.
Photo Gallery
Want to see real patient results?
Explore all the Breast Lift cases performed by Dr. Christopher Zochowski in Columbus, Ohio.
Schedule a Breast Lift Consultation in Columbus
Breast lift surgery can restore both your confidence and your comfort. It can reduce chafing and breast mobility, allowing you to wear a wider range of clothing styles. Whether your breasts have changed over the years or you’ve always been unhappy with their shape, mastopexy can help. Contact Dr. Zochowski to schedule a breast lift consultation in Columbus and learn more about this rejuvenating procedure.
Breast Lift Post-Operation
Most people can resume a normal diet the evening of surgery. If you feel queasy or nauseated, start with clear liquids or soup. Advance your diet as tolerated to a regular diet. You may experience some constipation as a result of the pain medication. Over the counter laxatives such as Milk of Magnesia or a stool softener is recommended. If this is not sufficient, dulcolax or a suppository may be necessary.
Walking short distances is encouraged in the first few days after surgery. No lifting, pushing or pulling in the first week post-op. Mild physical exercise can be resumed as directed by the doctor after your first post- operative appointment. Please refrain from high impact or heavy exercise until released to do so, up to 4 weeks.
Leave all dressings and the surgical bra in place for 24 to 48 hours. After 24 to 48 hours, you may remove the gauze and bra for a brief period of time to shower. Following a shower, pat yourself dry, apply clean gauze and the surgical bra. Any residual surgical soap (yellow) or marker can be gently removed with rubbing alcohol.
Swelling, bruising, redness and of the skin is normal and will resolve over time. Many patients have drainage from the bottom of the breasts were the incisions come together. This drainage is quite normal and may be bloody, yellow or clear in color.
Showers can be taken after two days. Remove the surgical bra and dressings for the shower and replace with clean gauze and the surgical bra after patting dry.
Take the narcotic pain medication as prescribed to manage post operative pain. Do not drive until you are no longer taking the narcotics and are free of significant pain. When a narcotic is no longer needed to manage pain, Extra Strength Tylenol is an acceptable substitute.
If there is any concerns, please call the office (614) 604-7820. Most issues are easily addressed and do not require significant intervention.
The most common emergencies that might need attention are:
- Nausea that lasts 4 hours or more and does not respond to medication
- Bleeding that is persistent and uncontrolled
- Sudden enlargement and/or pain of one side with bruising
- High fever lasting more than a few hours and not responding to medication
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain that is considerably worse on one side
- Leg swelling
If you feel the situation is urgent, call 911 and/or proceed directly to the closest emergency room. Please call us as well.
Follow-up is typically in 7-10 days and should be scheduled by calling our office at (614) 604-7820 if it has not already been arranged.
FAQs About Columbus, OH Breast Lift
Most patients can return to work about a week after their breast lift. Patients with strenuous jobs may need additional time off.
As the breast droops downward, so do the nipple and areola. Depending on your circumstances, we can reposition, resize, or lift the areola naturally during a breast lift.
While patients can expect some minor discomfort after surgery, a breast lift shouldn’t be a painful process. Pain medications can reduce discomfort significantly, allowing patients to rest and recover with little to no pain. If you’re experiencing pain after surgery, let us know so we can explore solutions to bring you relief.
The cost of a breast lift varies depending on the extent and difficulty of the surgery. We provide each patient with a personalized quote during their consultation. Financing is available for many patients.
A breast lift is usually considered cosmetic surgery, so most insurance plans will not cover it. Contact your medical insurance company for complete details about your coverage.
Incisions for a breast lift can leave some visible scarring on the breasts. Breast lift scars will be most noticeable in the first 6-12 months after surgery while incisions are still red and healing. After incisions fade, most patients find their scars are barely noticeable and that the improvement in breast shape and positioning offsets any scars.
You can combine breast lift with other procedures for dramatic transformations to your silhouette. In fact, breast lift is often combined with body contouring procedures like breast augmentation and liposuction to redefine your figure according to your aesthetic goals. Breast lifts are also a popular component of a mommy makeover, a combination of procedures that helps women restore their figure and confidence through multiple cosmetic surgeries. After holding a detailed consultation with you, Dr. Zochowski can recommend whether combining your breast lift with other procedures is suitable for you.
Since breast lift is a surgical procedure, it can cause common side effects associated with other cosmetic and medical surgeries. This includes swelling, bruising, and soreness around the treatment area. But these side effects are not permanent. While swelling and bruising subside in a few weeks after your surgery, you can find relief from post-surgical soreness in a few days. During this time, Dr. Zochowski will ensure your comfort by suggesting post-surgical care tips, including providing you with pain medication.
After your breast lift, you may need to avoid strenuous exercise for at least 4 to 6 weeks. While most patients can resume exercise after this period, it might take longer depending upon the pace of your recovery. It’s because everybody is different, and the specific time frame of recovery varies from patient to patient. To ensure you can safely resume exercise, Dr. Zochowski will closely monitor you during your follow-up appointments and guide you according to your specific recovery journey.
After a breast lift, Dr. Zochowski and our team will provide a detailed list of aftercare tips to follow while recovering at home. According to your lifestyle and job requirements, this list is personalized for you. But it comprises common best practices, such as avoiding household tasks for the first few weeks, taking medications on time, following a protein-rich diet, and staying hydrated. You are also encouraged to take short walks around your home as soon as you can to prevent complications like blood clots.
You might be a good candidate for a breast lift if:
- Your breasts are different in size or shape
- Your breasts droop downward
- Your nipples point downward
- Your breasts have a wrinkled look due to loose skin
- You are in overall good health
- You have realistic expectations from the surgery
To determine your suitability for a breast lift, Dr. Zochowski has a thorough consultation with you where he understands your goals, answers your questions, and addresses your concerns. During this discussion, Dr. Zochowski also determines if you may benefit more from combining the breast lift with other procedures.
