Breast Lift in Rockford, IL
While most breasts start at an elevated position on the chest wall, factors like aging, pregnancy and weight loss can cause the breasts to hang lower. This gradual sagging changes the presentation of the breasts. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Pedro Rodriguez performs mastopexy, or breast lift, to help women re-achieve a more youthful breast position.
Dr. Rodriguez is a breast specialist who has extensive experience lifting the breasts. Although other breast procedures focus on altering the size of the breasts, breast lift raises the existing breast tissue to create more appealing contours and breast profile. Some women may choose to combine a breast lift and breast augmentation to enhance both the size and position of the breasts.
The Pedro Rodriguez Difference
Dr. Pedro Rodriguez is an elite plastic surgeon who performs cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He specializes in breast, body and face procedures. Merging advanced techniques with his keen eye, he produces transformative results for his patients that are both attractive and natural-looking.
Patients in Rockford choose Dr. Rodriguez because of his outstanding surgical skills and attentive care. Through decades of experience, he understands precisely how to rejuvenate the face and achieve appealing breast and body contours. He takes pleasure in helping his patients build confidence by reaching their aesthetic goals.
Breast Lift Benefits
Breast lift patients can enjoy multiple benefits, which include:
- Elevated breasts that look more youthful
- Improved breast symmetry
- Appealing breast contours
- Additional density at the top of the breast
- Resizing and/or repositioning the areola for a proportional appearance
- Nipples that project forward rather than downward
Ideal Candidates for Breast Lift
Women who have visible breast sagging due to factors including aging, genetics, pregnancy, or significant weight loss are usually good candidates for breast lift. Dr. Rodriguez assesses all patients on an individual basis, which includes a thorough review of medical history and setting reasonable expectations about what breast lift can and cannot achieve. Patients should be non-smokers or quit smoking/vaping well in advance of surgery.
Breast Lift Procedure
Dr. Rodriguez performs mastopexy using one of three incision types:
Peri-Areolar Lift: Dr. Rodriguez makes a circular incision around the perimeter of the areola. It is only appropriate for mild to moderate cases of breast drooping.
Vertical Lift: Sometimes referred to as a lollipop incision, this approach makes a circle around the areola and then adds a vertical incision from the bottom of the areola down to the breast crease.
Anchor Lift: This incision uses the vertical lift technique and adds a horizontal line along the breast crease. This addition is particularly useful for women that have significant sagging and are looking for a more dramatic change.
After making the incision, Dr. Rodriguez will raise the existing breast tissue to create a better shape and firmness. Excess breast skin is removed so that this tissue cannot sag from its new placement.
Dr. Rodriguez also repositions the areolas and nipples on the breasts. On sagging breasts, nipples often sit lower and point downward. To counteract this, Dr. Rodriguez can move the areolas to look more natural on the newly shaped and lifted breasts. He further ensures that the nipples project outward to achieve a “perky” appearance. If the patient desires, he can resize the areolas so that they better match the breasts’ new proportions.
Breast Lift Recovery
Breast lift is an outpatient procedure, which means that patients return home on the same day as the surgery. Patients should take the medication Dr. Rodriguez has prescribed to manage discomfort and focus on rest and relaxation for the first week. It is important to wear a compression garment to expedite the healing process and to avoid sleeping on the stomach for a couple months.
Most patients can return to work within 7 to 10 days, depending on the nature of the job. Exercise should be limited in the first couple months to give the breasts sufficient time to heal. Exercise should also be limited in the first 6 to 8 weeks to avoid unnecessarily jostling the recovering breasts.
Breast Lift Results
Mastopexy is highly effective at rejuvenating the breasts, but it cannot stop the aging process altogether. Eventually, skin will become lax around the breasts, causing breast sagging once again. Patients can usually expect to enjoy their results for about 10 or more years.
Complementary Procedures
Since breast lift focuses on elevating the existing breast tissue rather than increasing the volume, many women decide to combine breast lift with breast augmentation to achieve their preferred proportions.
Breast lift is also frequently included in part of a larger mommy makeover plan. Since pregnancy can exaggerate breast sagging, body contouring procedures for the midsection, such as abdominoplasty and liposuction, are especially popular with women after pregnancies.
Breast Lift FAQs
What happens if I have a baby after having breast lift?
The good news is that breast lift does not affect your ability to become pregnant, and rarely affects your ability to breast feed (though some women may notice lower milk production). However, the main reason that Dr. Rodriguez would recommend that his patients wait until they have completed their family to have breast lift is that pregnancy will inevitably re-stretch the breast skin, resulting in droopiness once again. It is better to postpone surgery so that you can enjoy your results for a long time.
Will I have scarring after mastopexy?
All surgical procedures create scarring, and breast lift is no exception. The location of your scars depends on the surgical approach Dr. Rodriguez utilizes. He is careful to place his incisions along natural lines and creases (such as around the areola or along the lower breast crease) to best conceal the scarring.
How much does breast lift cost?
Each mastopexy that Dr. Rodriguez performs is customized to the unique requests of the patient, and the price reflects those differences. Relevant factors include the surgical technique used, the amount of tissue being removed, and whether the nipples are repositioned. Dr. Rodriguez can provide a quote during a consultation.
How will my nipples look different after breast lift?
Sagging breast tissue causes the areolas to fall lower on your breast, with your nipples pointing toward the ground. For most of his patients, Dr. Rodriguez repositions and reprojects the areolas and nipples so that they are more centrally located and have a perkier extension. He can also resize the areolas depending on your preferences. This will be discussed during your consultation.
How Is the Right Breast Lift Technique Selected?
The appropriate mastopexy technique depends on the degree of breast ptosis, nipple position, skin elasticity, breast volume, and the amount of excess skin. Mild sagging may be addressed with a more limited incision, while greater tissue descent generally requires a vertical or anchor pattern. Dr. Rodriguez evaluates these factors individually and selects a technique designed to help women achieve their desired breast position and contour.
Does a Breast Lift Make the Breasts Smaller?
A breast lift is primarily intended to reshape and elevate existing breast tissue rather than substantially reduce breast volume. However, removing excess skin and repositioning the tissue may make the breasts appear somewhat smaller or more compact. Women interested in a significant reduction in breast size may consider a breast reduction, while those seeking additional volume may combine mastopexy with breast augmentation.
Can a Breast Lift Correct Breast Asymmetry?
A breast lift may improve differences in breast position, shape, nipple height, and areola size. Natural breast asymmetry is common, and the surgical plan can be adjusted for each breast to enhance balance. Complete symmetry cannot be guaranteed, as differences in the chest wall and breast tissue may persist. Dr. Rodriguez evaluates these anatomical differences when planning surgery.
Will Breast Sensation Change After a Breast Lift?
Temporary changes in nipple or breast sensation may occur as tissues heal following surgery. Sensation often improves gradually over several weeks or months as swelling decreases and nerves recover. Permanent changes are possible but less common. The extent of sensory change may depend in part on the degree of tissue repositioning and the mastopexy technique used.
How Should I Sleep After Breast Lift Surgery?
Patients are generally instructed to sleep on their backs with the upper body slightly elevated during the initial recovery period. This position limits pressure on the breasts and may help manage swelling. Sleeping on the stomach should be avoided until the tissues have sufficiently healed. Dr. Rodriguez provides specific instructions regarding sleep positions and activity based on recovery progress.
When Can I Wear a Regular Bra After a Breast Lift?
A surgical or supportive bra is typically worn during early recovery to provide support without placing unnecessary pressure on healing incisions. Underwire bras may be restricted until the breast crease incisions have healed sufficiently. Dr. Rodriguez monitors healing at follow-up appointments and advises patients when they can transition back to their preferred bras.
Can Weight Loss Affect Breast Lift Results?
Yes. Significant weight loss after mastopexy can decrease breast volume and contribute to renewed skin laxity. Weight gain may also stretch breast skin and change the postoperative contour. For this reason, patients generally obtain more stable long-term results when they undergo surgery at a weight they can reasonably maintain.
How Long Should I Wait After Breastfeeding Before a Breast Lift?
Women are generally advised to allow several months after breastfeeding has ended before considering mastopexy. Breast volume and glandular tissue can continue to change after lactation ends, so waiting allows the breasts to reach a more stable size and shape. Dr. Rodriguez can evaluate these changes during consultation and determine when surgical planning is appropriate.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Rodriguez
Breast lift is a highly effective procedure for women who would like to restore a youthful look to their breasts. To have an expert surgeon examine your breasts and discuss what breast lift can achieve for your unique body, please arrange an appointment with Dr. Rodriguez at your soonest convenience.
