Breast Lift St. Louis
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is an ideal plastic surgery procedure for those looking to reduce breast sag and restore perkiness. Dr. Paul Rottler and Dr. Angela Hulsey regularly perform breast lifts in St. Louis, MO, and will be happy to help you achieve your beauty goals.
The surgery raises the breast nipple areolar complex by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to support the breast in a better, more youthful position. Women come in from all over the country to undergo this procedure.
The breast lift is more popular than ever – the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that the number of breast lifts performed has grown 70% since 2000. This procedure now outpaces breast implants. Read on for more detailed information about breast lifts/mastopexy.
What is a breast lift?
A breast lift is a procedure designed to raise the breasts to a higher position and restore a more youthful appearance. The removal of excess skin and tightening of the surrounding breast tissue and skin allows for the reshaping and contouring of new breasts and areolas. This procedure can also reduce the size of the nipple areolar complex that has become enlarged or stretched out.
The most common reasons patients give for pursuing this procedure are changes in their breasts due to:
- Pregnancy
- Weight fluctuations
- Breastfeeding
- Aging
- Heredity
- Gravity
It is important to realize, before considering this surgery, that the procedure won’t significantly change the size of your breasts, completely round out the top part of your breasts, or give you upper pole fullness. A breast lift without implants cannot increase size.
If you’re looking to drastically enhance the size of your breasts, you may want to consider breast augmentation. If you are looking to decrease the size of your breasts, then you should consider breast reduction. Both of these procedures can be done in conjunction with a breast lift to give a more youthful result.
A breast reduction and lift allow for removal of a great deal of excess tissue, making the breasts lighter while reshaping them for improved perkiness. A breast lift with implants, also called a breast augmentation with lift or augmentation mastopexy, provides increased size and projection while lifting sagging breasts.
Am I a good candidate?
Breast lift surgery is highly individualized, and your doctor is best suited to evaluate your candidacy. However, as a rule of thumb, you may be a good candidate if:
- You feel that your breasts sag and have lost volume and shape.
- You want results that look natural rather than overworked.
- Your breasts have an elongated shape, or are flat and pendulous.
- Your nipples fall below the breast crease when unsupported.
- Your nipples and areolas point downward.
- Your areolas have become enlarged or stretched out of proportion.
- One breast falls lower than the other.
This procedure works best when the patient is a physically healthy non-smoker that maintains a stable weight.
There are also a number of factors to take into consideration before committing to this procedure. If you are considering pregnancy at some point in the future, you may want to delay this procedure. Pregnancy could stretch your breasts and offset the results of the procedure. Additionally, breast-feeding should be considered. Although nursing is possible after most breast lifts, some women may have trouble producing milk. Waiting may be your best option in this case.
Breast size can also affect the success of a lift. Women with smaller breasts will likely have longer lasting results. Since larger breasts are heavier, they’re more likely to naturally sag again over the course of time.
What should I expect during my consultation?
Come to your consultation with a list of questions to ask Dr. Rottler or Dr. Hulsey in St. Louis. Our doctors will work with you to make sure that you fully understand what your surgery will entail and do their best to soften and ease your fears. Be prepared to discuss:
- Your goals for the procedure
- Any medical conditions, drug allergies, or medical treatments
- Your current medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins
- Your use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs
- Any previous surgeries you have had
- Family history of breast cancer
- Results of previous mammograms or biopsies
Our plastic surgeons will take the time to evaluate your general health and explore any pre-existing health conditions or factors that could put you at risk for complications. They will also examine your breasts and take detailed measurements of their shape and size, skin quality, and the placement of your areolas and nipples. This will involve taking photographs.
Dr. Rottler and Dr. Hulsey will also use the consultation to discuss your options with you, recommend a particular course of treatment, and explain the risks and likely outcomes. This is also a great opportunity to discuss the use of anesthesia during your procedure and any concerns you may have related to it.
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How much will a breast lift cost?
The price of your breast lift in St. Louis with Dr. Paul Rottler or Dr. Angela Hulsey will generally cost $11,000.
How should I prepare for my procedure?
Although the preparation for any cosmetic procedure is different from patient to patient, there are a few things that you may be asked to do prior to surgery, such as:
- Get a medical evaluation, blood work, or lab testing
- Take certain medications or adjust dosages of current medications
- Get a mammogram, both before and after surgery, to detect changes in your breast tissue
- Quit smoking
- Stop taking certain medications, like aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements that could increase bleeding
You’ll also want to make sure that you arrange for help during your recovery, including a ride to and from the Seven Oaks Surgery Center, LLC, where you will undergo the procedure. You will probably also want someone to stay with you for at least the first night post-op.
Are there any risks?
As with any surgery, there are risks associated with breast lifts, such as:
- Scarring
- Changes in breast or nipple sensation
- Asymmetry/Irregularity in breast and nipple areola shape and size
- Partial/Total loss of the nipples or areolas
- Inability to breastfeed
Like any other surgery, mastopexies also carry the risk of bleeding, infection, or adverse reaction to anesthesia. Although less troubling, it is also possible to have an allergic reaction to surgical tape or any other material used during or after the procedure.
What is the procedure like?
Your procedure will begin with administration of anesthesia, either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia by our board certified anesthesiologists. Your anesthesiologist will recommend the best option for you during your consultation. The anesthesiologist, who will be taking care of you during your surgery, will contact you the night before your surgery. They will give you instructions on when to eat or drink before your surgery and ask you questions on your past medical history.
Once anesthesia has been administered, the actual procedure will begin. There are three common incision types for breast lifts:
- Around the areola
- Around the areola and down to the breast crease
- Around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease, and horizontally across the breast inframammary fold crease
Dr. Rottler and Dr. Hulsey will discuss these different types of lifts during your mastopexy consultation and will decide on the best choice depending on your goals and your anatomy.
After the incision is made, Dr. Rottler or Dr. Hulsey will lift the underlying breast tissue and reshape it to improve your breasts’ contour and chest wall position. They will also reposition your nipples and areolas to a natural height, reducing enlarged areolas if necessary by excising skin from the perimeter.
Lastly, excess breast skin will be removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity. The remaining skin will then be tightened as the incisions are closed.
What will recovery be like?
You will be sent home from your procedure with bandages applied to your incisions and in a comfortable bra. You will also need to wear a good bra throughout your breast lift recovery to support your breasts and minimize swelling as your breasts heal.
Our plastic surgeons will give you instructions regarding aftercare. Follow these directions carefully to achieve the beast possible breast lift results.
These instructions will include how to care for your breasts after surgery, what medications to take both orally and to apply topically to your incisions to aid healing and prevent infection. You will also be given written instructions on medication usage, local wound care, and what specific warning signs you should look for at the surgical site or in your general health.
Your first post-op visit is usually the next morning unless otherwise specified. You may shower after your office visit. Exercise may begin in 3-4 weeks in most circumstances.
Why should I choose Dr. Rottler and Dr. Hulsey?
Dr. Paul Rottler and Dr. Angela Hulsey are incredibly skilled and experienced in cosmetic surgery of the face, body, and breasts, and are committed to providing their patients with the best possible results. Together, Dr. Rottler and Dr. Hulsey have over 30 years of experience and each have memberships in many prestigious medical associations. Rest assured that your procedure will give you the body you’ve dreamed of.
Set Up Your Mastopexy Consultation
If you are looking for a breast lift in St. Louis, schedule your consultation with Dr. Paul Rottler or Dr. Angela Hulsey today to get one step closer to the body you desire. As part of your consultation, you will be able to look over breast lift before and after photos and can describe your ideal results to Dr. Rottler and Dr. Hulsey.
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