Introduction to
A breast lift, technically called mastopexy, is a procedure designed to lift and repositions female breasts. During a mastopexy procedure, a surgeon removes excess stretched skin, reshapes the breasts, and lifts the nipples to a higher position. There are varied reasons as to why patients seek out this procedure. Many women find that as they mature the forces of gravity take over, or after pregnancy, breasts begin to droop, sag and lose shape. The medical term for this sagging condition is “ptosis.” For some of our Hawaii breast lift patients, the upper portions of the breasts have begun to lose fullness and projection. The goal of a lift is to make your breasts look perkier, fuller, and more youthful.
For women who have minimal ptosis, we offer an internal dual plane mastopexy; this is performed by lifting a small amount of tissue off the chest wall. For those who have first or second-degree ptosis, we offer the Benelli breast lift, also known as the circular breast lift. Dr. Schlesinger has performed over 400 Benelli breast lift procedures in the course of my career.
A patient whose nipple is below the inframammary line by one centimeter or more has third-degree ptosis. Third-degree ptosis patients have only one option available to them, which is standard or traditional breast lift surgery, also known as the anchor breast lift. While many surgeons warn patients of significant scarring from this type of lift, Dr. Schlesinger can perform the procedure with very minimal scarring for the benefit of his Hawaii breast lift patients. Dr. Schlesinger accomplishes this by taking the tension off the suture line and using a braided polyester thread to suture the deep tissue using the superficial fascial system (SFS), an effective suspension technique that eases tension off the suture line, resulting in less scarring. Most patients find that the skin heals far more quickly and redness subsides much earlier.
Breast Lift patients in Honolulu, Hawaii have been able to enjoy the following benefits from their surgery:
The best candidates for a Hawaii Breast Lift are women who are bothered by sagging breasts, are usually around the average age of 40 (although can be performed on any legal adult), are in overall good health, dealing with the loss of breast shape or require altered nipple correction, may benefit from this surgery. It’s important to maintain realistic expectations and a positive attitude throughout your procedure and recovery.
First Steps
When a patient inquires about breast lift at Mommy Makeover Hawaii, the first step is to schedule your consultation with S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS. When you come in, he will first evaluate the degree of ptosis that has taken place, answer any questions you might have, and address any of your concerns. You will also be asked some questions about your medical history, so it’s important to be open and honest with Dr. Schlesinger. Your clarity will help prevent any unnecessary risks during surgery or while you recover.
Once he has the information he needs, Dr. Schlesinger will craft your surgical plan, and if you agree with this plan, our Patient Coordinator will be able to work with you to schedule your surgical date. You will also be given certain instructions to follow that will prepare you for the best and safest surgical results possible.
When you come in for your Breast Lift surgery, we will first sedate you using general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, depending on what is discussed during your consultation. To begin, Dr. Schlesinger will make the appropriate incisions that are discussed during your consultation, which can include:
When the desired correction has been achieved, Dr. Schlesinger will place sutures for proper healing. Most lifts take between two and three hours to complete.
For our Honolulu breast lift patients, “surgery” does not end after the surgery. Surgery ends when Dr. Schlesinger wraps the patient with a unique sterile strip, which aids in the healing process and helps the breasts hold their new shape. Patients are advised to keep the sterile strip for a period of up to three months, two weeks at a time. Breast Lift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, so after your surgery, you will be able to return home for a more comfortable recovery.
You can expect your recovery to last between seven and ten days, with it being common during the first couple of days post-surgery to experience some degree of swelling and bruising. These will take from one to three weeks to completely subside. There may be mild to moderate pain immediately after the surgery, but Dr. Schlesinger will prescribe appropriate medications to keep you resting comfortably. There may also be some temporary numbness, however, this is not uncommon.
For the first several weeks after your breast lift, you will be required to wear a support bra or support garment. Normally, patients feel well enough to return to work or school in three to five days after surgery, although, strenuous activities need to be postponed for a full six to eight weeks.
What is the cost?
The cost of a Breast Lift in Hawaii will vary on a number of factors, including the techniques that Dr. Schlesinger performs. At your initial consultation, Dr. Schlesinger will make your surgical plan, with the exact cost being determined during your appointment. Our Patient Coordinator will be able to provide you with a full breakdown of the pricing for your surgery.
S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 30 years of plastic surgery experience in Hawaii and has performed more than 20,000 plastic surgery procedures. He took his premedical studies at the University of Michigan and medical studies at the Medical College of Virginia, where he was the highest honor graduate, and continued to serve his surgical residency at Stanford University Medical Center and his plastic surgery residence at Oklahoma Health Science Center, where he is a visiting professor of surgery. Dr. Schlesinger is also a Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and an Active Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
To learn more regarding your options as a Hawaii Breast Lift patient, contact Mommy Makeover today at (808) 517-5076 to schedule an initial consultation at our office in Honolulu. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS will be glad to speak with potential Hawaii breast lift patients during that time.
