Congratulations on your amazing weight loss. As a result of your weight loss, you may have experienced a loss of breast volume with significant sagging of your breasts. This often results in a loss of breast shape, nipples that point down to the ground, an enlarged areola and lateral breast rolls that extend to your side or even to your back. A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a procedure that will rejuvenate your breasts by elevating your nipples to its correct position and by removing any excess skin.

The biggest challenge in breast rejuvenation for weight loss patients is how to achieve this restoration of breast volume. For most weight loss patients, you have all the right tissue, but it is in all the wrong places. For patients that have excess skin and a lateral skin roll, you may be a candidate for a breast lift procedure known as a dermal suspension breast lift. This procedure uses your own tissue to enlarge or auto-augment the size of your breasts. This technique will give you optimal size and shape without the use of breast implants. Dr. Michaels prefers to use your own tissue to provide the necessary volume for your breast lift instead of using implants if it is possible. For patients that lack enough tissue for this procedure, breast implants may be necessary in addition to a breast lift to provide you with the optimal shape and size you desire. This procedure is called a breast lift with augmentation.

Before and After Photos

Dr. Michaels is a board certified plastic surgeon and has years of experience performing post-bariatric plastic surgery. He is one of a few plastic surgeons to have completed a fellowship specifically dedicated to body contouring after weight loss. During your consultation, Dr. Michaels will carefully listen to your goals and concerns and a treatment plan will be tailored specifically to your needs.

When performed alone, this procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis. As many post-weight loss patients have more than one area that they desire corrected, it is not uncommon to combine another body contouring procedure with a breast lift, such as upper body lift. This option will be discussed with you during your consultation.

Quick Facts

Length

2-4 hours

Anesthesia

General

In/outpatient

Outpatient

Side effects

Temporary swelling, muscle tightness, bruising and some pain

Risks

Pain, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, damage to nerves (in rare cases), need for revision

Recovery

4-7 days: back at work. 1 week: light exercise only. 2-3 weeks: more strenuous activity allowed. 8-12 weeks: swelling resolves and patient can resume normal activity.

Duration of results

Variable, as further sagging occurs with age

To see if a breast lift is an appropriate procedure to rejuvenate your breast size and shape, click here or call 301-468-5991 to schedule a consultation.