Choosing To Have A Breast Lift After Significant Weight Loss

Drastic weight loss in women may leave them with excess skin and fat on their breasts. Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Bloch can help you achieve your cosmetic goals after bariatric surgery or body contouring after weight loss. Breast lift after significant weight loss will improve your saggy breasts by relocating them to your chest level.

Facts about post-bariatric Breast lift surgery

There are several things that you should know about breast lift after bariatric surgery:

• Breast lift after bariatric surgery differs from the usual breast lift done for cosmetic reasons. Breast lift after weight loss requires longer incisions considering the large amounts of stretched skin that need to be removed.
• The recovery period for a breast lift after bariatric surgery is longer (3 to 4 weeks) than for standard cosmetic breast lift.
• Breast lift alone after weight loss will get rid of extra skin and lift breast to a higher location on the chest; breast lift results will leave your breast flat on the top and without a cleavage. Breast implants can create fullness at the top of your breasts for a younger looking bust.

Dr. Bloch will help you make a right decision about your breast lift and present you with available options to meet your surgical goals.

Considerations

Pros

You will have improved breast shape, projection, and symmetry

• Your breasts will have a more youthful appearance.
• You will look better in and out of clothes and feel more self-confident.

Cons

• The effects of a breast lift might slowly diminish over time because of gravity and aging.
• A breast lift leaves scars that will be hidden in a bra or swimsuit.
• Subsequent pregnancy may compromise your surgical results.

These are the three top pros and cons to weigh when considering a breast lift. If you wish to focus on what is unique to you, please consult with your aesthetic plastic surgeon.

Breast lift procedure

Breast lift involves the excision of excess skin and tightening of surrounding tissue with sutures to support and reshape new breast contour. Incisions are made around your areola and on the breast crease to allow for removal of extra skin. Extra fat may be removed with liposuction. An enlarged areola and nipples that fall below the breast crease will also be moved to a higher point on the chest. After surgery, you will be dressed with a compression garment. Dr. Bloch will advise you to wear the garment for at least 6 weeks. If you avoid strenuous activity that does not require bending or lifting, you will be able to resume work after about 2 weeks. In about 6 weeks after having a breast lift, you will feel like your normal self again.

Breast lift risks and safety information

The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of breast lift surgery are acceptable.

You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any breast lift risks and potential complications.

Breast lift risks include:

• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding or hematoma formation
• Infection
• Poor healing of incisions
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
• Breast contour and shape irregularities
• Breast asymmetry
• Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
• Fluid accumulation
• Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Possibility of revisional surgery

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all of your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.