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As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape
and firmness and begin to sag. A breast lift, is a surgical
procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. Breast lifts can also
reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple.
Breast implants inserted in conjunction with the lift can increase both
their firmness and their size.
A Breast lift usually take 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. Techniques
vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision
that follows the natural contour of the breast.
Incisions outline the area from which breast skin will be removed and
will define the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has
been removed, the areola & nipple 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 along the
lower crease of the breast.
After the surgery you'll wear an elastic bandage or a
surgical bra over gauze dressings. The breasts will be swollen,
bruised, and uncomfortable for a day or two, there is some pain but it
shouldn't be severe. Medications prescribed by your surgeon will
usually be enough to make you comfortable.
Within a few days, Your bandages or surgical bra will be swapped out
for a soft support bra. You'll need to wear this bra 24 hours a
day for three to four weeks, over the layer of gauze. The stitches
should be removed after a week or two.
You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin,
caused by the swelling after surgery. Numbness usually fades as the
swelling decreases over the next five weeks or so. In some patients it
may last a year or more, and occasionally it may be permanent, but
these are the inherent risks you will need to understand with this
procedure.
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