Breast Lift After Pregnancy: Mommy Makeover Treatments
Dr. Oren Z. Lerman has helped countless patients who've come to his plastic surgery center in Manhattan. In a number of cases, he's helped mothers who've experienced changes in their body contour achieve a trimmer, slimmer, and more athletic and youthful frame. By combining tummy tuck surgery to address the lower abdominal area, breast lift surgery to improve the perkiness of breasts that droop and sag, and other carefully targeted lifts, a full mommy makeover can be achieved.
Let's consider why the breast lift is an important procedure to consider following pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing.
How Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Affect the Breasts
During pregnancy, changes in a woman's hormones will cause a number of changes to the body. One of these changes is an increase in the size of the breasts. This also occurs as part of the breastfeeding and nursing process, in which the breasts swell due to milk production.
After pregnancy and nursing, a woman's hormones will return to pre-pregnancy levels, which means that the breasts will shrink in size. This often leads to stretchmarks, drooping, sagging, or a combination of all these body contouring issues. The sure way to treat these aesthetic issues is to undergo a breast lift.
Who is an ideal candidate for breast lift surgery?
The best candidates for breast lift surgery are women in generally good health who do not suffer from conditions that would make a surgical procedure a potential risk to wellness. They should have realistic expectations about the nature of surgery and what it can achieve as well. This includes understanding the nature of post-surgical scarring. The surgeon will work carefully to make incisions as small as possible. The scarring will be well-hidden by most undergarments, and they should fade with time.
The Breast Lift Procedure
During breast lift surgery, three incisions are common, creating a shape that is similar to a ship anchor:
- One circular incision around the areola
- One lateral incision along the crease where the underside of the breast meets the chest
- One vertical incision along the lower slope of the breast to connect the previous two incisions
Through these incisions, excess tissue and skin is removed in order to improve the overall firmness and perkiness of the breasts. If the drooping is not as pronounced for some patients, fewer/less extensive incisions may be used.
Combining Breast Lift Surgery with Breast Implants
In some cases, breast lift surgery may be combined with breast augmentation. This means placing breast implants while similarly performing a lift. This is often an ideal way to enhance the overall pertness and shape of the breasts. Since breast implants are placed during this procedure, fewer incisions may be necessary in order to improve overall body contour.
When should I undergo surgery following childbirth and breastfeeding?
In general, patients will want to wait until they are finished having children to consider undergoing breast lift surgery. This allows the overall results of surgery to last for years to come and prevents the need for further body contouring surgeries in the future.
The concern about timing apply to all kinds of mommy makeover procedures. Your plastic surgeon can discuss the ideal surgeries and optimal timing for treatment during the consultation process.
Schedule a Consultation with Oren Z. Lerman, MD
For more information about breast lift surgery and your many other options for enhancing your overall appearance, be sure to contact our cosmetic and reconstructive surgery practice today. Dr. Lerman will work closely with you to ensure that you receive the right surgery that meets your needs.