Breast Lift in Pittsburgh, PA

At Dr. James Fernau, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa in Pittsburgh, PA, breast lifts are performed on a routine basis. This is a cosmetic surgery that raises, reshapes, and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. Breast lift surgery is commonly performed in conjunction with breast augmentation to help lift a sagging breast and simultaneously add volume. Many women will seek to have breast lift surgery after experiencing situations that deflate the breasts or cause them to droop downward, such as pregnancy and breastfeeding, weight loss, aging, and hereditary issues. A breast lift also corrects an areola that is misplaced to do the sagging. The surgery results in a shapelier, more youthful appearing breast. Learn more about your breast lift options by contacting our state-of-the-art facility in Pittsburgh, PA, to schedule an initial consultation. 

A breast lift at Dr. James Fernau Plastic Surgery is a surgical procedure that offers numerous benefits for individuals seeking to enhance the appearance of their breasts. Here are some key advantages of undergoing a breast lift:

• Restored youthful appearance: A breast lift can help reverse these effects, resulting in a more youthful and perky breast contour.
• Improved breast shape: By removing excess skin and reshaping the breast tissue, a breast lift can create a more aesthetically pleasing breast shape, restoring balance and proportion.
• Enhanced self-confidence: A breast lift can significantly improve self-esteem by providing a more lifted and youthful breast profile.
• Increased variety in clothing options: By lifting and reshaping the breasts, a breast lift can expand clothing options, allowing individuals to wear a wider variety of styles and achieve a more flattering silhouette.
• Improved physical comfort: A breast lift can alleviate these physical discomforts by reducing the weight and strain on the breast tissue, resulting in improved comfort and relief.
• Long-lasting results: While a breast lift does not stop the natural aging process or prevent the effects of gravity, the results of the procedure are long-lasting.

You may come to Dr. James Fernau Plastic Surgery hoping to get breast augmentation; however, after a physical exam, you may realize that breast lift surgery is a better option. This is because of the amount of sag that is present. Candidates for a breast lift may:

• Have decreased breast elasticity
• Want to bring the breasts to a higher position
• Have nipples that drooped downward, making your breasts appear stretched
• Be in good health and at a healthy weight

During breast lift surgery, incisions will be made around the skin-color line of the areola. It may extend vertically, down to the crease of the breast, or extend further to a horizontal incision following the breast crease direction. How extensive the incision will depend on how much skin must be removed. The excess skin will be trimmed away, and the underlying tissues tightened. The remaining skin will be stretched up and closed with sutures. An implant placed underneath the chest muscle may also supplement the lift as it can provide additional support in keeping the improved projection in place.

Incision Types:

Women who contemplate breast lift surgery often wonder what the incisions will look like and how bad the scarring will be after the procedure. The incisions vary depending on how severe the breast sagging is and how much tissue volume is present. The most common incisions are noted below.

• Incision made along the line surrounding the areola;
• Incision made along the line surrounding the areola, plus a vertical incision down to the natural crease below the breast;
• Incision made along the line surrounding the areola, plus a vertical incision down to the natural crease below the breast, and another horizontal line following the direction of the breast fold.

Breast lift surgery is performed using general anesthesia at an accredited surgery facility. On average, the procedure may last up to two hours. The recovery will vary as some patients will have had a breast lift in combination with a reduction surgery or with augmentation using implants. Regardless, patients will be encouraged to move around within the first 48 hours. Activities such as carrying heavy objects or any activity that puts pressure on the chest must be avoided. Most patients can resume normal activities within a couple of weeks, but exercise should not be attempted for 6-8 weeks. Scars are part of the process, but with extra care, the marks will heal and fade, and many patients feel they become secondary to a more beautiful breast appearance.

Breast lifts can cost around $7,000 – $9,000, depending on how extensive the surgery is. Additional procedures such as placing breast implants will increase the total cost up to $7,500 – $9,000. Insurance does not cover breast lift surgery as it is considered cosmetic in nature. There are few exceptions depending on the patient’s special circumstances, so it is best to confirm with the insurance coordinator if any cover is valid.

Should I receive a breast lift or breast augmentation?
It depends on the patient’s aesthetic goals and the current breast form. A breast lift will help correct a sagging, drooping breast. Many times after this surgery, patients are happy with their breast size because the lift alone creates a fuller breast. If the patient wishes to have more volume and increase the breast size, implants will resolve this issue. Before surgery, a thorough consultation and assessment will be provided, and the surgeon will recommend if a lift alone is all that is needed or if an augmentation and a lift may be done as a combination surgery.

Will a breast lift reposition my nipples?
It is common in a breast lift procedure that the nipple is repositioned so that it looks proportional to the newly shaped breast. When excess skin is trimmed away, a portion of an overly stretched areola (the colored skin around the nipple) is simultaneously trimmed away. The goal is for the nipple and areola to be within a normal size and position.

Will I have bad scarring after a breast lift surgery?
When incisions are made to trim away the skin, scars are an inevitable part of the process. Plastic surgeons are experts when it comes to minimizing scarring with precise techniques when it comes to incisions and suturing. A post-surgery scar care program will be provided, and patients are strongly encouraged to follow the plan so that healing is healthy and quick.

Surgical breast lifting has transformed the lives of so many Pittsburgh, PA patients. If you are troubled by sagging breasts that interfere with your daily activities or stop you from sporting the clothes you want, a mastopexy at Dr. James Fernau Plastic Surgery may be the right surgery for you. When you have your first consult, a thorough examination will be performed, and your goals for surgery will be discussed. We will establish a tailored surgical plan to assist in transforming your breasts. We invite you to contact Dr. James Fernau Plastic Surgery and speak to a patient coordinator to schedule your first visit.