Considering a breast lift in New Orleans?
Dr. Suma Maddox specializes in rejuvenating breasts by reducing excess skin and weight, resulting in a fuller, more elevated appearance. Known for her empathy and patient-first approach, she ensures every woman embarking on this path is met with understanding, comprehensive information, and the highest standard of care.
Here, we walk you through what to expect before, during, and after your breast lift with double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Maddox.
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift, medically known as mastopexy, is a cosmetic surgery designed to elevate and reshape sagging breasts, resulting in a more youthful and uplifted breast profile.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, this procedure is among the most popular cosmetic surgeries for women, growing by 70% since 2000 and outpacing implants by 2-to-1.
Over time, factors such as aging, gravity, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can affect the shape and elasticity of the breasts. The skin may lose its firmness, causing the breasts to lose their shape and appear deflated. Sagging tissue can also cause neck pain and postural changes.
A breast lift aims to address these changes by removing excess skin, tightening the surrounding tissue, and lifting the breasts to a higher position on the chest.
This procedure can also reposition and resize the areolae (the dark skin around the nipple) to complement the new breast shape.
It’s important to note that a breast lift does not increase the size of your breasts. However, it can be combined with breast augmentation if you wish to alter your breast size.
What to Expect From Your Breast Lift in New Orleans
Before Your Procedure
Dr. Maddox will discuss your aesthetic goals and develop a personalized plan to achieve your desired breast size and position.
Initial consultation
Like all her cosmetic surgeries, your breast lift with Dr. Maddox will begin with a personalized consultation. During this confidential, one-on-one session, the double board-certified plastic surgeon will listen closely to your desires, concerns, and expectations.
Understanding your goals is pivotal to designing a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your vision. You and Dr. Maddox will discuss various aspects of the breast lift procedure, including the technique, the potential for scarring, and realistic outcomes.
Your consultation is your opportunity to ask questions, express any apprehensions, and clarify any doubts you may be facing. With an empathetic and informative approach, Dr. Maddox will ensure you feel heard, respected, and comfortable at all times.
Preparing for surgery
Proper preparation is crucial to a smooth surgery and recovery. Once you have been deemed a candidate for mastopexy, Dr. Maddox will schedule your procedure and provide detailed instructions on how to best prepare. This may include:
– Scheduling a Mammogram: This step is often vital, as it provides a clear picture of your breast tissue before surgery. It helps to identify any unseen issues that need to be addressed and ensures the safest surgical outcome.
– Avoiding Certain Medications: Dr. Maddox may advise you to stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements, as they can increase bleeding risk during and after surgery. Weight loss medications such as semaglutide will need to be stopped 1 month prior to surgery and possibly 1-2 months after surgery to allow for healing.
– Stopping Smoking: Smoking significantly impedes your body’s ability to heal, increasing the risk of complications during surgery and recovery. Pausing the usage of tobacco well in advance of your procedure can help promote faster healing with minimized complications.
– Developing a Recovery Plan: You will need to organize necessary support for the recovery period, such as arranging for someone to help with daily tasks and setting up a comfortable recovery area in your home. Having an at-home recovery plan in place can help ensure a calm and comfortable healing process, allowing you to focus on your recovery with peace of mind.
During Your Procedure
The day of surgery
On the day of your breast lift with Dr. Maddox, you’ll begin with pre-surgery preparations, including the administration of general anesthesia and the marking of the breasts for incision points.
The surgery typically takes 2 to 3 hours and involves making incisions around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease, and possibly along the crease underneath the breast, depending on the technique best suited to your needs.
Through these incisions, Dr. Maddox will remove excess skin, lift and reshape the breast tissue, and reposition the nipple and areola to a higher, more youthful location. In some cases, the areola’s size is reduced to complement the new breast shape. For additional volume, Dr. Maddox can also use fat grafting or implants to perform a joint breast augmentation during this time.
The incisions are then meticulously closed to minimize scarring.
You will be able to return home on the same day of your procedure. Before leaving, you’ll receive detailed aftercare instructions and schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your healing process.
After Your Procedure
Recovery and healing
Immediately following your procedure, your breasts will be covered with gauze in a surgical support bra. In certain cases, drainage tubes may also be inserted at the sites of your breast incisions to remove excess fluid.
Discomfort is to be expected during the first few days of recovery. Dr. Maddox utilizes a multimodal approach for pain management to help ease any discomfort. This includes anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxer along with Exparel- a long acting local anesthetic directly injected into the surgical sites that provides up to 3 days of relief. Early passive motion like carrying your dinner to the dinner table on the evening of surgery will promote early recovery and helps to reduce soreness.
Most patients are able to return to work within just five days. However, be sure to avoid strenuous activities, including exercise, for the first two weeks to avoid healing complications.
Follow-up care
Dr. Maddox will schedule follow-up visits weekly to ensure your recovery process is progressing smoothly. These visits are crucial to your care, providing an opportunity to assess your recovery and address any questions or concerns you may have.
Scarring is an inevitable aspect of breast lift surgery. However, incision scars often fade significantly over time, especially with diligent post-operative care.
Dr. Maddox utilizes advanced surgical techniques during your surgery to minimize the visibility of scars. After your procedure, you will receive comprehensive guidance on scar management, including the use of silicone sheets or gels.
Schedule Your Complimentary Breast Lift Consultation
Dr. Maddox is here to guide you throughout your entire breast lift procedure, from initial consultation to post-procedure recovery and beyond.
She is committed to offering thoughtful attention and personalized guidance, helping you make an informed choice that’s right for you.
If you’re considering a breast lift in New Orleans, we encourage you to schedule your complimentary consultation with us today. Together, we can discuss your aesthetic goals and how we can best help you achieve them.
