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Breast Lift in Birmingham AL

More Youthful and Lifted Breasts with Mastopexy

Breast lift model

A woman's breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, aging, gravity and heredity.

A Breast Lift, or mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well.

At Hedden & Gunn Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, Alabama, our plastic surgeons conduct an in-depth consultation for each patient where we review your goals and expectations for rejuvenating your figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted. By lifting and reshaping the breast tissue, a breast lift at our cosmetic surgery center is designed to give breasts that are sagging a firmer, more appealing look.

Breast Lift Candidates

You may be a candidate for a breast lift if:

Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size or round out the upper part of the breasts. If you want your breasts to look fuller, consider breast lift and breast augmentation surgery for improved upper breast fullness or cleavage. Implants can be placed at the same time or as a second procedure.

If you want smaller breasts, consider combining breast lift and breast reduction surgery.

Your Breast Lift Consultation

During your breast lift consultation, be prepared to discuss:

Your breast lift surgeon may also:

Breast Lift Risks and Safety

Each patient must decide if the benefits of a breast lift will achieve their goals, and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. The risks of a breast lift include:

Breast lift risks will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It's important that you address all of your concerns about risks with your plastic surgeon. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any breast lift risks and potential complications.

Preparing for Breast Lift Surgery

In preparing for breast lift surgery, you may be asked to:

Breast lifts are performed at our accredited Outpatient Surgery Facility in Birmingham, Alabama. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and stay with you for at least the first night.

Breast Lift Procedure

Your breast lift procedure can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques. The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:

Breast lift surgery is performed using intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your surgeon will recommend the best choice for you.

Breast Lift Incisions

The three common incision patterns for a breast lift are:

  • Around the areola (donut incision).
  • Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease (lollipop incision).
  • Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease (anchor incision).
Breast lift areola incision
Breast lift donut incision
Breast lift vertical incision
Breast lift lollipop incision
Breast lift anchor shaped incision
Breast lift anchor incision

Reshaping the Breasts

After your doctor makes the incisions:

  • The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness.
  • The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height.
  • If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.
  • Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.

Closing the Incisions

After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed. Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.

Many women desire the smallest scar possible. However, your plastic surgeon will recommend the incisions which best suit your anatomy.

Breast Lift Recovery

During your breast lift recovery, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions after the procedure is completed.

You will need to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal.

A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.

Your plastic surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself after surgery. Following these instructions is essential to the success of your breast lift. The instructions may include:

The surgical incisions should not be subjected to excessive force, motion, swelling or abrasion during the time of healing.

Breast Lift Results

The results of your breast lift surgery with Dr. William Hedden, Dr. Stephen Gunn or Dr. Joshua Halka are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade.

Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover from surgery. The final results of your breast lift will appear over the next few months as breast shape and position continue to settle.

The results of your breast lift surgery will be long-lasting. Over time, your breasts can continue to change due to aging and gravity. You'll be able to retain your new look longer if you maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.

Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours. However, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.

Breast Lift Surgery and Pregnancy

Breast surgery should be considered after child bearing is completed. Changes that occur in the breasts during pregnancy can minimize or reverse the improvement a breast lift provides.

Significant weight loss after breast surgery can also negatively impact breast appearance.

Breast Lift Words to Know

Procedure Information © American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Hedden and Gunn Plastic Surgery

Breast Lift, or mastopexy, rejuvenates your figure by giving breasts that have begun to sag a firmer and more appealing look.

Birmingham, AL Office & Surgery Suites

Hedden & Gunn Plastic Surgery
140 Village Street
Birmingham, AL 35242
205-980-1744 or 800-HeddenMD
American Society of Plastic Surgeons* American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery*
* Dr. William Hedden, Dr. Stephen Gunn
Hedden and Gunn Plastic Surgery

Contact Us Today

Questions About Breast Enhancement?

Please contact our plastic surgeons today to learn more about reshaping your breasts with Breast Lift in Birmingham, Alabama.

To schedule your consultation at the earliest possible date, please call 205-980-1744.

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