Breast Lift Surgery in Boston

Cosmetic Concerns Improved With Breast Lift

Want a surgical breast lift in Boston? At Accurate Aesthetics, we offer breast lift surgery to women in the Boston area, including Wellesley and MetroWest. With this procedure, Dr. Katherine Hein raises sagging breasts to a higher, more aesthetically pleasing position on the chest wall. Women seek out breast lift surgery for more youthful, perky breasts. Contact Dr. Hein’s Wellesley plastic surgery office for a consultation.

Over the years, pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman’s breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts—at least, for a time. (no surgery can permanently delay the effects of gravity.)

A breast lift can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume—for example, after pregnancy— breast implants inserted in conjunction with mastopexy can increase both their firmness and their size.

Breast Lift

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If you’re considering a breast lift, the information on this website will give you a basic understanding of the procedure—when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. It can’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask Dr. Hein if there is anything about the procedure you don’t understand.

To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Hein, please contact Accurate Aesthetics by calling (877) 603-7874 toll-free today.

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR A BREAST LIFT (MASTOPEXY)?

There are several factors and reasons why a woman may be considering a breast lift. Some of the major reasons include pregnancy, breastfeeding, major weight loss, certain genetic traits, and the natural aging process; each can have a negative impact on the appearance and contour of the breasts.

For instance, pregnancy and breastfeeding as well as significant rapid weight loss can cause the breast skin to lose its elasticity and start to sag. Nursing can also cause additional changes in the look of the breasts and nipples: Some mothers are frustrated by a loss of breast volume that has made their breasts look deflated or smaller in size than they were prior to having children. Others are concerned with nipples that have migrated down the front of the breast and point downward instead of straight ahead.

ADVISORY: If you’re planning to have more children, it may be a good idea to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn’t interfere with breast-feeding), pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again and offset the results of the procedure.

Breast lift surgery is designed to improve these cosmetic concerns. With mastopexy, Dr. Hein removes excess breast skin that has stretched out and is no longer able to shrink back to its original size and shape. She then carefully moves the breasts to a higher, more youthful-looking position on the chest wall. The breast lift also adjusts the position of downward-pointing nipples, moving them to a higher, more central position on the breast, so they face forward.

For women with deflated-looking or smaller breasts who seek to restore or enhance their breast volume in addition to lifting their breasts, Dr. Hein might suggest the use of saline or silicone breast implants in conjunction with breast lift surgery. She is able to place breast implants during breast lift surgery, using the same incisions required for mastopexy.

The best candidates for mastopexy are healthy, emotionally stable women who are realistic about what the surgery can accomplish. The best results are usually achieved in women with small, sagging breasts. Breasts of any size can be lifted, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts.

During your consultation, discuss your breast lift and augmentation goals with Dr. Katherine Hein.

WHAT IS THE INITIAL CONSULTATION PROCESS FOR A BREAST LIFT?

In your initial consultation, it’s important to discuss your expectations frankly with Dr. Hein, and to listen to her recommendations. Every patient – and every physician, as well – has a different view of what is a desirable size and shape for breasts.

Dr. Hein will examine your breasts and measure them while you’re sitting or standing. She will discuss the variables that may affect the procedure – such as your age, the size and shape of your breasts, and the condition of your skin – and whether an implant is advisable. You should also discuss where the nipple and areola will be positioned; they’ll be moved higher during the procedure and should be approximately even with the crease beneath your breast.

Dr. Hein will describe the procedure in detail, explaining its risks and limitations and making sure you understand the scarring that will result. She will also explain the anesthesia to be used, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved.

Don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Katherine Hein any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.

Where Will Your Surgery Be Performed and is Anesthesia Needed?

Depending on your age and family history, your surgeon may require you to have a mammogram (breast x-ray) before surgery. You’ll also get specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. While you’re preparing for your surgery, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days if needed.

Dr. Hein performs breast lift surgeries at her fully certified in-office surgical suite. Your comfort and privacy is of paramount concern.

Breast lifts are usually performed under general anesthesia, which means you’ll sleep through the operation. In selected patients, particularly when a smaller incision is being made, you may have local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You’ll be awake but relaxed and will feel minimal discomfort.

Dr. Hein utilizes an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist on each sedation case where sedation or general anesthesia is used. There is no need to stay overnight.

What is the Surgical Process for a Breast Lift

Mastopexy usually takes one and a half to three hours.* Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves a lollipop or anchor shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast. The incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed and defines the new location for the nipple.

When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to reshape the breast. Stitches are usually located around the areola, in a vertical line extending downwards from the nipple area, and sometimes along the lower crease of the breast.

Some patients, especially those with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions. One such procedure is the “doughnut (or concentric) mastopexy,” in which circular incisions are made around the areola, and a doughnut-shaped area of skin is removed.

If you’re having an implant inserted along with your breast lift, it will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue, or deeper, under the muscle of the chest wall.

What are the Risks of Breast Lift Surgery?

While all surgeries come with risk, it is important to know the risks associated with breast lift surgery. Dr. Katherine Hein advises her patients that a breast lift is not a simple operation, but it’s normally safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there is always a possibility of complications or a reaction to the anesthesia. Bleeding and infection following a breast lift are uncommon, but they can cause scars to widen. You can reduce your risks by closely following your physician’s advice both before and after surgery.

Mastopexy does leave noticeable, permanent scars, although they’ll be covered by your bra or bathing suit. Because poor healing and wider scars are more common in smokers, and because nicotine can affect the blood supply to the nipple, Dr. Hein will not perform mastopexy on an active smoker. The procedure can also leave you with unevenly positioned nipples, or a permanent loss of feeling in your nipples or breasts.*

What is the Recovery Process for Breast Lift Surgery?

After surgery, you’ll wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn’t be severe. Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved with medication.*

Within a few days, the bandages or surgical bra will be replaced by a soft support bra. You’ll need to wear this bra around the clock for three to four weeks, over a layer of gauze. The stitches will be removed after a week or two.*

If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a moisturizer several times a day. Be careful not to tug at your skin in the process and keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas.
You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused by the swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades as the swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. In some patients, however, it may last a year or more, and occasionally it may be permanent.*

Going Back to Normal

Healing is a gradual process. Although you may be up and about in a day or two, don’t plan to return to work for a week or more, depending on how you feel. And avoid athletic activity and lifting anything heavy for three to four weeks.* If you have any unusual symptoms, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Hein.

Our staff will give you detailed instructions for resuming your normal activities. You may be instructed to avoid sex for a week or more, and to avoid strenuous sports for about a month. After that, you can resume these activities slowly.* If you become pregnant, the operation should not affect your ability to breast-feed, since your milk ducts and nipples will be left intact.

Dr. Hein will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible. Still, it’s important to remember that mastopexy scars can be extensive and are permanent. They often remain lumpy and red for months, then gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually fading to thin, light lines.* Fortunately, the scars can usually be placed so that you can wear even low-cut tops.

You should also keep in mind that a breast lift won’t keep you firm forever—the effects of gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight fluctuations will eventually take their toll again. Women who have implants along with their breast lift may find the results last longer.

Your satisfaction with a breast lift is likely to be greater if you understand the procedure thoroughly and if your expectations are realistic.

Lift Your Breasts and Your Spirits

If you are tired of sagging breasts that need a lift, don’t wait any longer to pursue breast lift surgery. By undergoing mastopexy under the care of Dr. Katherine Hein, you can lift your breasts — and your spirits.

To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Katherine Hein, please contact Accurate Aesthetics by calling (877) 603-7874 toll-free today.

Why You Should Select Accurate Aesthetics for Your Breast Lift Surgery

Dr. Katherine Hein is among the top cosmetic surgeons in the Boston, MetroWest, Wellesley, and Sudbury area. Dr. Hein is certified by the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, has specialized in breast and cosmetic surgery since 1999, and has performed thousands of cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries.

When you select Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery for your breast lift you can be reassured of a close personal relationship with Dr. Hein and her professional staff.

Additional Reasons to Select Accurate Aesthetics

• One-on-one consultation with Dr. Hein follow-up appointments after surgery, and availability by telephone for your questions.
• Availability of a fully certified operating room in-office for your comfort and privacy.
• The exclusive use of a certified Physician’s Assistant on each case to keep your surgery time shorter and safer.
• The use of a board-certified MD anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist on each case.
• Consultation fee is deducted from the cost of any major surgery.
• One surgical compression garment is provided free for each surgery, as needed.
• Free Arnica Montana (pharmaceutical grade) anti bruising and swelling regimen with appropriate surgical procedures.
• Free general skincare session with a medical esthetician after any major surgical procedure.

*Results may vary and are not guaranteed. Consult with the medical professionals at Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery to see if you are a candidate.