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Breast Lift Surgery in Houston
A breast lift can restore a more youthful breast contour and appearance for women in the Houston area. This popular cosmetic procedure is designed to firm and lift the breasts by removing excess skin and sagging tissue. Dr. Paul Vitenas is an experienced Houston plastic surgeon providing customized breast lift procedures to women seeking a more youthful breast profile.
Discover why patients from across the U.S. and around the world choose Dr. Vitenas as the premier surgeon for naturally-appearing breasts.
Breast Lift Before & After Photos
Each Patient is Unique and Individual Results May Vary
Raising sagging breasts with breast lift surgery
Breast lift surgeries can provide transformative improvements for women struggling with breast sagging. By elevating the breast tissue to a more youthful position, this procedure enhances breast appearance in various ways.
Restored Youthful Appearance
A breast lift restores the natural lift and contour of the breasts. This rejuvenates the breasts' youthful shape that may have been compromised by pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, or simply the natural aging process.
Rebalanced Body Proportions
By lifting and contouring the breast tissue, this procedure helps restore balance to a woman's figure. The breasts are elevated to align properly with the body's proportions for a more youthful appearance and balanced figure.
Comfortably Fitting Clothes and Swimwear Again
By correcting breast sagging, women have more fashion freedom because they can comfortably fit into a wider variety of clothing and swimwear choices.
What is Breast Lift Surgery?
Who Might Consider a Breast Lift?
- Noticeably drooping or sagging breasts
- Nipples pointing downward
- Stretched, loose breast skin
- Areolas that have enlarged or stretched
- Loss of breast volume creating a deflated appearance
- Disproportionate breast size or asymmetry
Ideal Candidates for Breast Lift Surgery
The best breast lift candidates are women troubled by significant breast sagging (ptosis) and have healthy, elastic skin.
Good skin elasticity allows the remaining skin to tighten nicely around the newly contoured breast tissue. During your initial consultation, Dr. Vitenas will assess your degree of breast drooping, skin elasticity, and position on the chest wall. If your nipples point downward and your breasts have lost volume, you will likely benefit from a lift.
A breast lift may be performed along with breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery when indicated. Those with minor sagging may achieve adequate lifting through breast augmentation with breast implants alone. Dr. Vitenas will help you decide if a lift is the correct procedure for you and will advise you on the best way to get your desired result.
Breast Lift Procedure
The mastopexy procedure is performed at the accredited Houston Surgery Center at Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery. General anesthesia is typically used for your comfort and safety. The procedure generally takes two to four hours, depending on the technique used.
There are a few techniques plastic surgeons can use for a breast lift procedure, depending on the amount of correction required. Dr. Vitenas often uses the “inverted T” incision. This involves a vertical incision extending from the areola down to the breast crease, plus a horizontal incision along the breast crease and an incision around the areola.
Dr. Vitenas will make precise incisions based on the degree of correction needed, then reshape and lift the underlying breast tissue to its new youthful position. During the procedure, excess skin is removed. After the skin removal, the remaining skin is tightened. Finally, the areolas and nipples are shifted to an appropriate placement that is in balance with your new breast contour.
After the procedure, you will recover comfortably until discharged home the same day. Dr. Vitenas will provide detailed post-operative instructions to support optimal healing.
Breast Lift Recovery
After your breast surgery, you will recover in our medically supervised facility until you are ready to go home. Dr. Vitenas will instruct you on how to care for the incision sites.
The initial breast lift recovery period involves swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort that is well-managed with the prescribed pain medication. The swelling and bruising should subside within a couple of weeks. You’ll need to avoid strenuous physical activity for about four to six weeks to give your body adequate healing time. Most patients can resume a normal routine within two weeks.
Patients are also advised to avoid significant weight fluctuations, as major weight fluctuations can stretch the skin and possibly compromise your lifted breast shape.
While scarring is unavoidable with any breast surgery, Dr. Vitenas uses expert surgical techniques to minimize visible scarring for his patients. The scars will continue to refine over the first year as you fully heal.
Your new, youthful breast shape will be immediately visible. However, you should wait at least 3 months for the breasts to completely settle into their final lifted position. Also, the breast shape will soften slightly as the remaining swelling dissipates. At your follow-up visits, Dr. Vitenas will evaluate your progress and results.
Breast Lift Results
A breast lift can provide transformative improvements in breast contour, shape, and position. By removing excess skin and sagging tissues, the breasts are lifted to a more youthful and perky profile.
While results vary, most patients enjoy the following types of improvements after a mastopexy procedure:
- Breasts lifted to a more youthful, perky position on the chest wall
- Nipples and areolas shifted to an ideal placement
- Improved breast symmetry and balance between breasts
- Ample breast cleavage and contoured shape
- Smoother breast contour without sagging or drooping
- Comfortably fitting into a wider variety of clothing styles
- Confidence boost from a rejuvenated breast appearance
A Natural Approach to Cosmetic Surgery
Why Choose Dr. Vitenas for Breast Lift Surgery in Houston?
Breast Lift FAQ
Are breast lifts covered by health plans?
Since a breast lift is considered an elective cosmetic procedure, health plans typically do not cover the cost. Our team can provide you with a detailed quote for the procedure during your consultation. We also offer several financing options for our patients.
Will a breast lift help with back pain?
In some cases, significantly heavy, sagging breasts can contribute to upper back, neck, and shoulder pain. By lifting and reducing the weight of breast tissue, a mastopexy may help alleviate discomfort in these areas.
What does a Mastopexy procedure cost?
A Mastopexy, or breast lift, is a procedure with a starting cost of around $12,000, tailored to each patient's needs. This cost includes Dr. Vitena’s fees, anesthesia, the use of the surgical facility, and all follow-up visits. The procedure involves removing excess skin and tightening surrounding tissue to lift and enhance the shape and contour of the breasts.
In some cases, patients may choose to have breast implants along with their breast lift surgery to enhance volume and achieve a more lifted look. However, it's important to note that opting for implants can increase the overall cost of the surgery due to the added complexity, the cost of the implants themselves, and the longer duration of the procedure and recovery.
How long does a breast lift last?
Provided you maintain a stable weight, the lifted breast contour and improved shape from a mastopexy can last for many years. However, natural aging and gravity still affect breast tissue over time. Some sagging may recur, but typically not to the same degree as before surgery.
How long after a breast lift can I sleep on my side?
You'll need to sleep on your back or side for the first week or two after surgery to avoid putting pressure on the breasts. Once initial healing has taken place, you can go back to sleeping on your abdomen if you wish. We provide detailed post-op instructions on activities like sleeping positions.
Does weight gain alter breast lift results?
Significant weight gain or fluctuation after your breast lift could affect your results. It may stretch out the skin and cause sagging or drooping breasts over time. Maintaining a steady weight is ideal for preserving your lifted breast contour long-term.
Will a breast lift impact breastfeeding ability?
Some women can still breastfeed after a mastopexy, while others may have difficulty. Be sure to discuss plans for future breastfeeding with Dr. Vitenas at your breast lift consultation.
How will a breast lift affect nipple sensation?
You may experience numbness or changes in nipple sensitivity after surgery. This is usually temporary. Normal sensation typically returns within a couple of months as the nerves heal. Be sure to communicate any nipple sensation issues with Dr. Vitenas during your recovery.
Can a breast lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes, a breast lift and breast augmentation are commonly combined (for added volume). A breast lift can also be combined with a breast reduction or a tummy tuck to create a customized mommy makeover procedure. Dr. Vitenas will help you determine the best options for achieving your cosmetic goals.
Can breast lift surgery be combined with breast implants?
Yes, breast lift surgery can be combined with breast augmentation using implants to not only lift the breasts but also enhance their size and shape. This combination procedure is often referred to as augmentation mastopexy.
Will breast lift surgery make my breasts look larger?
Breast lift surgery primarily addresses sagging and reshapes the breasts for a perkier appearance. While it may create the illusion of increased size due to improved projection, breast lift surgery alone does not significantly change the actual volume of the breasts.
Can breast lift surgery reduce the size of my breasts?
Breast lift surgery focuses on lifting and reshaping the breasts rather than reducing their size. However, if you desire both a lift and a reduction in breast size, your surgeon can discuss combining breast lift with breast reduction surgery to achieve your desired outcome.
How long does it take to recover from breast lift surgery?
Recovery time after breast lift surgery varies among individuals. However, you should see final results after about 3 months, when the breasts completely settle into their final lifted position.
Will breast lift surgery leave visible scars?
Breast lift surgery does result in scars, typically around the areola, vertically down from the areola to the breast crease, and sometimes horizontally along the breast crease. However, these scars will continue to refine over the first year as you fully heal.
Can breast lift surgery make my breasts look more naturally lifted?
Yes, breast lift surgery is designed to provide a naturally lifted appearance to the breasts by reshaping and repositioning them to a more youthful position on the chest. The goal is to achieve results that look harmonious with your body proportions.
Can breast lift surgery correct asymmetry between my breasts?
Absolutely. Breast lift surgery is not only effective in lifting and reshaping the breasts but also in addressing asymmetry. Depending on your specific needs, breast lift surgery can be customized to achieve better symmetry. In some cases, additional procedures such as breast augmentation may be recommended to address differences in size or shape between the breasts, ensuring a balanced and harmonious result.
Is breast lift surgery permanent?
While breast lift surgery can provide long-lasting results, the effects of aging, gravity, and lifestyle factors may eventually affect breast shape and position over time. However, maintaining a stable weight and following post-operative care instructions can help prolong the longevity of your results.
Can breast lift surgery improve the appearance of stretched or elongated nipples?
Yes, breast lift surgery can address stretched or elongated nipples by lifting and reshaping the breast tissue, which may result in a more proportionate and aesthetically pleasing nipple position.
Can breast lift surgery improve the appearance of drooping or pendulous breasts?
Yes, breast lift surgery is specifically designed to address drooping or pendulous breasts by removing excess skin, reshaping the breast tissue, and repositioning the nipples to a higher, more youthful position on the chest.
Can I undergo breast lift surgery if I have breast implants?
Yes, breast lift surgery can be performed in conjunction with breast implants to achieve a lifted, more youthful breast contour while preserving or enhancing breast volume. Your surgeon can discuss the best approach based on your individual anatomy and aesthetic goals.
Can breast lift surgery correct changes in breast shape or position caused by aging or weight loss?
Yes, breast lift surgery can correct changes in breast shape or position caused by aging, weight loss, pregnancy, or breastfeeding by lifting and reshaping the breasts to a more youthful position on the chest.
Can breast lift surgery affect my ability to undergo mammograms?
Breast lift surgery typically does not affect your ability to undergo mammograms, as the breast tissue remains accessible for screening. However, it's essential to inform your healthcare provider about any prior breast surgeries to ensure appropriate imaging techniques are used.