Mastopexy (Breast Lift) Fort Worth
Mastopexy is a procedure that is done to lift the breasts. Dr. Candis Lovelace has helped many women restore more youthful breast contours with a mastopexy in Fort Worth. She provides personalized care at every step of the breast lift process to ensure the safety and satisfaction of her patients.
Breast Lift Procedure
Incision patterns will depend on the amount of ptosis (droopiness) and excess skin. Depending on your anatomy and the amount of lift needed, you may only need an incision around the areola.
In other cases, a breast lift can require an incision around the areola and down the front (like a lollipop) or an incision around the areola, down the front, and under the breast (anchor pattern). The method of breast lift, along with surgical approach, will depend on your preferences, your anatomy, and your surgeon’s recommendation.
Is a Breast Lift Right for Me?
Breast implants will add size and fullness to the upper portion of the breast, but breast augmentation alone is not used to lift the breasts. If you have droopiness to your breasts but you would also like them larger, you may need an augmentation/mastopexy (breast lift and implants).
If you have droopiness, but do not want your breasts any larger, a mastopexy alone might be the right procedure for you. If you don’t have any ptosis, but want your breasts larger, a breast augmentation may be what you need. Again, Dr. Lovelace will perform a personal consultation with you to determine what the best procedure is for you.
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I must say I am impressed with the results of the tummy tuck and breast lift surgery performed by Dr. Lovelace. I had seen other surgeons both in and outside of Texas. However, after a referral from some fellow nurses, I went to see Dr. Lovelace. Her staff was very friendly and nice and so was Dr. Lovelace. She gave her professional opinion about my options and we discussed thoroughly what I wanted versus what she recommended. I respected the fact that she was stern about what I should have done instead of just giving me what I asked for and knowing what the potential result would be unlike some of the other consultations. I consulted her in June and gave it some thought. I went back to her office because as a nurse the questions kept rolling around in my head causing me to doubt. Her staff arranged the second appointment and Dr. Lovelace answered all of my new questions. She left my room and I was convinced to move forward. I had more questions that day and she came back in the room and answered those patiently and thoroughly to make sure that I was comfortable. Needless to say, I scheduled the surgery for 12/3/19 and am glad I did. Each of my post op visits have been more than stellar. She and her staff are very attentive and responsive. I can’t wait to see what the results will be finally. Still recovering but satisfied. I have referred others to her because of the professionalism and treatment I have received thus far and it can be hard to win me over but they have.
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What are other names for this procedure?Breast Lift
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How much pain will I have?Moderate
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How much will it cost?
A price quote detailing the fees for the facility, anesthesia, any postoperative garments, and surgeon will be given at the consultation. Prices will vary depending on the time that is needed to do the procedure, and the complexity of the procedure. Dr. Lovelace will perform a personal consultation to determine what the right procedure is for you.
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What is the hospital/surgery center time?
Surgery will be approximately 2-5 hours as determined on a case by case basis. Typically this is done as an outpatient procedure, but Dr. Lovelace may determine that an overnight stay in the hospital is needed.
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What is the recovery?
Sutures that are placed are usually dissolvable and will not need to be removed. In some circumstances, a drain may be needed. These drains help prevent hematomas and seromas. If a drain is left in place, it is usually removed the 1-2 days after surgery. You will be placed in a compression garment after your surgery, and told to wear this at all times for 4 weeks, and then only at night for 4 more weeks. You will be expected to start walking immediately after surgery to help reduce the risk of blood clots. On average patients return to light duty work 3-7 days after surgery. You will be able to return to non-strenuous activity approximately 1-2 weeks after surgery. Approximately 8 weeks after surgery, strenuous activity will be allowed without restrictions. Scars will flatten and fade between 3 months and 2 years after surgery. No swimming pools, bath tubs, or hot tubs until the incisions are healed, and no scabs remain. You will be allowed to shower 48 hours after your procedure and wash over your incisions with soap and water. Final bra size can be determined within 8-12 weeks.
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What medications should I take or avoid with my surgery?
You should not take any blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications for a week before your procedure, and you should hold all over the counter supplements a week before surgery. This will help reduce the risk of bleeding intraoperatively, and help reduce the risk of postoperative hematoma (collection of blood). If blood thinners are prescribed for you by your cardiologist or primary care physician, you should get clearance from them to hold these medications before they are discontinued. You should hold all hormones 6 weeks before surgery. Birth control pills should be held 6 weeks before surgery as well. Of course you should make sure to use alternative forms of birth control during and after this time. Hormones and birth control pills put you at a higher risk of blood clots. These clots can go to your lungs and cause serious illness or even death. We call this a pulmonary embolus. Steroids should be weaned off at least a month before your surgery, and this weaning process should be set up and cleared by your prescribing physician. Dr. Lovelace and the staff will go through your list of medication, and let you know what exactly you need to do with those medications preoperatively. Make sure that you bring all of your medications with you to your consultation. You will usually be given your prescriptions for your postoperative medication on your preoperative visit so that they can be filled and at your house when you get home from surgery.
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Will I need clearances from any other physicians?
Depending on your age and medical issues, Dr. Lovelace and her staff will set you up with your primary care physician, cardiologist, etc. for clearance prior to your surgery. At that time any necessary labs, EKGs, or chest x-rays will be done. If you have not had a mammogram within the last year, Dr. Lovelace will request that you get one preoperatively.
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What are the risks?
The risks of a mastopexy include bleeding, infection, scarring, hematoma, seroma, possible need for free nipple graft, possible need for drains, dog ears, dehiscence, contour irregularities, asymmetry, poor cosmesis, need for further intervention, breast ptosis over time, stretch marks, weight gain/loss/pregnancy can change result, numbness/hypersensation, intra-thoracic injury, nipple/skin necrosis, fat necrosis, scar tissue, implant rupture, cardiac/pulmonary/stroke/DVT/PE events, death, etc.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Lovelace
To learn more about your options for a breast lift in Fort Worth, contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lovelace. We look forward to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals!