Breast Lift in Huntsville, AL

Breast lift surgery, also known as “mastopexy,” corrects sagging, pendulous breasts by removing excess fat, skin, and sometimes small portions of breast tissue to tighten and shape the breast. The breasts are raised to a more natural, anatomically correct position and are frequently made firmer and shaped into a more attractive and youthful form. The nipple-areola complex is also addressed, making stretched-out areolas smaller and centering them on the newly reshaped and lifted breast.

Reasons to Undergo Breast Lift Surgery

Reclaiming youthful, uplifted breasts with an attractive shape can significantly improve a woman’s confidence and self-image. The following circumstances may be avoidable and can result in a breast appearance that is less than desirable and detracts from a woman’s confidence.

Aging

As we age, our skin loses collagen and elastin—structural proteins that keep the skin firm and tight. As these proteins deteriorate over time, the skin stretches more easily and loses its ability to return to its original form. This leads to thin, loose breast skin that cannot support the tissues and often results in sagging breasts. This descent is frequently associated with visible thinning of the skin, termed “stretch-marking.” In addition, the supporting ligaments of the breast lose elasticity over time, transferring the weight of the glandular tissue to the skin envelope frequently, resulting in stretch-marking and sagging.

Weight Loss

Weight gain causes the breast skin to stretch to accommodate the increase in volume due to excess or enlarged fat cells. After weight loss, the skin is often unable to shrink back completely because it has been stretched too much and/or for too long, resulting in breasts with loose, wrinkled skin and an unattractive shape.

Pregnancy

Similar to weight gain, pregnancy causes the breasts to swell and the skin to stretch to accommodate the increase in size. After pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts generally return to their pre-pregnancy size but are sometimes left with loose skin that allows them to droop or settle.

Asymmetry

Some women notice asymmetry as a characteristic of their breasts from the age of puberty. This asymmetry may be associated with ptosis or descent of the breast or nipple-areola to a position lower than they desire. These women may be candidates for breast lift/mastopexy as a correction.

Breast Lift Options

Crescent Lift

Ideal for: Slight sagging

Technique: A crescent of tissue above the top of the nipple is removed

Benefit: Least invasive; generally produces inconspicuous scarring

Benelli Lift

Ideal for: Minimal sagging and slight nipple asymmetry

Technique: A doughnut-shaped area of tissue around the nipple is removed

Benefit: Generally produces inconspicuous scarring

Lollipop Lift

Ideal for: Moderate sagging and stretched nipples

Technique: A lollipop-shaped incision around the nipple and down to the breast crease is used to remove excess tissue

Benefit: Effectively lifts low-hanging breasts

Anchor Lift

Ideal For: Severely sagging, pendulous breasts

Technique: A lollipop-shaped incision that also extends along the breast crease is used to remove excess tissue

Benefit: Provides the most significant lift to the breasts

Common Breast Lift Concerns

Pain

During the procedure, medications will be administered for your comfort. Minimal pain and discomfort generally exist after the procedure and can be controlled with prescription and over-the-counter medication.

Recovery

Most patients can return to work within a week of their surgery. Patients should avoid strenuous activities for several weeks. Dr. Knowling will give you specific instructions to follow to ensure you have the safest and most effective recovery.

Scars

The location of the incisions and resulting scars will depend on the degree of correction needed. With all incision techniques, the scars will be as inconspicuous as possible and generally continue to improve over the next year.

Sensation

Women may experience some change in breast skin or nipple-areolar sensation immediately after surgery, which usually recovers fully.

Over time, a woman’s breasts begin to sag and the areolas become larger.

Over time, a woman’s breasts begin to sag and the areolas become larger.

Skin formerly located above the nipple is brought down and together to reshape the breast. Sutures close the incisions, giving the breast its new contour.

After surgery, the breasts are higher and firmer, with sutures usually located around the areola, below it, and in the crease under the breast. If your expectations are realistic, chances are you’ll be satisfied with your breast lift.

Learn More About Breast Lift Surgery in Huntsville

If you are considering breast lift surgery but have additional questions, it’s time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Knowling. Call our office today at (256) 881-2220 or complete our online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lift Surgery

When can I expect to see my breast lift results?

You will be able to see some results of your breast lift immediately after your surgery. However, you will have significant swelling that will obscure most of your results for a few weeks. As the swelling dissipates, you will notice that your breasts sit higher on your chest and have a perkier appearance. Your final results are typically visible six to twelve weeks after your surgery.

Are breast lift surgery results permanent?

Breast lift results are considered long-lasting; however, weight fluctuations and the natural aging process can negatively affect your breasts. Loss of skin elasticity, excess skin after weight loss, or extra weight in your breasts from weight gain can all impact your breast lift results.

Will pregnancy affect my breast lift results?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect the results of your breast lift. Weight gain and loss and the change in breast shape after breastfeeding can all affect your breast lift results. For those reasons, most surgeons recommend that you finish having children before undergoing breast lift surgery.

How much does breast lift surgery cost in Huntsville, AL?

The cost of a breast lift in Huntsville, AL, depends on several factors. For the surgery itself, the price depends on the extent of correction needed to achieve your desired results, surgeon’s fees, fees for support staff (including nurses and a board-certified anesthesiologist), and hospital fees. Dr. Knowling performs breast lift procedures in our Quad A-accredited facility—Huntsville’s only stand-alone cosmetic surgery facility—eliminating the need for hospital charges.

You may also decide to combine other procedures with your breast lift surgery, such as liposuction or a tummy tuck, which will also affect the cost. Dr. Knowling will provide an accurate cost estimate when you come in for your consultation.