Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

it’s important to understand that the procedure focuses on lifting and reshaping the breasts to restore a youthful appearance, but it doesn’t add volume. Whether or not implants are needed depends on your individual goals and breast anatomy.

If you’re seeking more fullness or have experienced volume loss due to pregnancy, aging, or weight changes, combining a breast lift with implants can give you both lift and volume.

On the other hand, if you’re happy with your breast size and only want a rejuvenated shape, a breast lift alone may be the ideal option. During your consultation, Dr. Valina will help you determine the best approach based on your goals and her evaluation.

A breast lift elevates and reshapes sagging breasts, restoring their youthful position and firmness. This procedure is ideal for individuals who have lost breast shape due to aging, pregnancy, weight changes, or genetics. While a breast lift can improve the contour of the breast, it does not add volume.

On the other hand, breast augmentation involves enhancing breast size and shape through the use of implants or fat transfer. This procedure is perfect for those looking to increase breast volume, correct asymmetry, or improve overall breast shape, especially if they desire more fullness in the upper part of the breast.

In some cases, a combination of both procedures, known as a “breast lift with augmentation,” is recommended for individuals who need both lift and volume to achieve their ideal breast appearance. Dr. Valina will help you choose the best option based on your aesthetic goals and physical needs.

A breast lift is primarily focused on restoring youthful breast positioning and firmness. It does not remove significant breast volume, so it is best suited for individuals who are happy with their breast size but want a firmer, more youthful appearance.

In contrast, breast reduction is designed to reduce the size of overly large breasts that can cause physical discomfort, such as neck, back, or shoulder pain. This procedure involves removing excess breast tissue, fat, ands skin to create a smaller, more proportional breast size. A breast reduction also addresses sagging by lifting the breasts and tightening the skin. It can relieve physical symptoms associated with large breasts while improving breast shape and appearance.

After your consultation and surgery, you will need to return to Dr. Valina’s Miami office for several follow-up visits. These sessions are essential for monitoring your recovery and ensuring that everything is healing properly. During these appointments, Dr. Valina will remove sutures and drains, as well as check for any potential complications. It’s important to attend these follow-ups, as they allow Dr. Valina to address any issues before they become more serious.

You can expect follow-up visits at key intervals, including one day after surgery, seven days, two weeks, one month, three months, six months, one year, two years, five years, and ten years. Additional visits may be scheduled if needed.

Patients typically require 7-10 follow-up visits or more if needed. Standard follow-up milestones include one day after surgery, one week, two weeks, one month, three months, six months, one year, two years, five years, and ten years. These appointments allow Dr. Valina to monitor healing, address any concerns, and ensure optimal long-term results.

Each patient’s healing process will be unique. It can take some time for all residual swelling to fade, so it is important not to judge your results too early. Your chest will appear more youthful and sculpted each month after your surgery, with full results emerging after around six months.

Dr. Valina takes great care to minimize scarring by placing incisions in areas where they will be the least noticeable. Scars can take months to one year to fully fade. Dr. Valina can provide suggestions on how to properly care for your incisions and recommend scar creams.

While patients are encouraged to take gentle walks right away after surgery, they should avoid strenuous exercise for 3 months. However, every individual is unique, so Dr. Valina will provide the final word on your recovery guidelines.

After a breast lift, you are typically advised to wait at least 48 hours before showering. During the first few days of recovery, keeping the incision areas dry is important to minimize the risk of infection. Dr. Valina will provide specific instructions based on your individual recovery progress, but in general, you can gradually resume showering once your incisions have healed enough to withstand water exposure. Avoid scrubbing the breast area directly, and opt for a gentle cleanse to protect the healing tissue.

The best way to sleep after a breast lift is with a slightly elevated upper body on your back. This helps reduce swelling and provides support to the breast area while preventing unnecessary pressure on your incisions. You can achieve this by propping yourself up with pillows or using a recliner. Avoid sleeping on your side or stomach for at least the first few weeks, as this can strain the surgical site and affect your results.

Absolutely! Dr. Valina regularly combines a breast lift with breast augmentation, liposuction, or a tummy tuck. She can discuss your options for a combination treatment plan in greater detail during your private Miami consultation.

Mastopexy is performed under anesthesia, so patients are asleep and feel no pain throughout their procedures. After surgery, soreness in the chest is common but can be well-managed with compression garments and prescription pain medications. Getting plenty of rest after surgery is also essential for reducing postoperative discomfort. Please let Dr. Valina know if you are experiencing any unusual pain.

Dr. Valina adheres to stringent safety protocols in order to prevent complications. However, every surgical procedure comes with certain inherent risks to be aware of. For mastopexy, these include the following:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Bleeding
• Pain
• Infection
• Poor scarring
• Asymmetry
• Poor reactions to anesthesia
• Fluid buildup
• Changes in skin sensitivity and color

A breast lift generally does not prevent breastfeeding, but the procedure can affect your ability to breastfeed depending on the technique used and the extent of the surgery. Since a breast lift involves reshaping the breast tissue, it may impact milk ducts or nerves necessary for milk production. However, Dr. Valina can minimize this risk with careful planning.

If breastfeeding is important to you, discuss it during your consultation to preserve function. It’s also often recommended to wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding for the surgery to achieve the best long-term results.

When selecting your cosmetic surgeon, evaluating their board certifications, training credentials, specialized techniques, testimonials, and results is critical. Additionally, you should meet with your potential provider in person to assess how well you communicate with each other and the quality of your rapport. Dr. Valina is a trusted, triple-board-certified aesthetic surgeon in Miami who insists on a detailed consultation process, empowering patients with the information and knowledge they need to make the best decisions for their care. She welcomes you to schedule a private consultation so you can learn more about her innovative approach to mastopexy.