Breast Lift in Fredericksburg, VA

Have you noticed that your breasts are not as perky as when you were younger? At Surgical Arts of Virginia, we offer breast lifts for women living in Washington DC, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Richmond, Charlottesville, and the surrounding areas of Virginia.

Is a Breast Lift Right for Me?

If you notice that your breasts hang loosely from your chest or that your nipples point downward, you may be a good candidate for a breast lift.

What is a Breast Lift?

Pregnancy and breast feeding, weight loss, aging, and genetics can lead to sagging of the breasts (breast ptosis). Women notice sagging of the breasts when the gland, the nipple, or both have fallen below the inframammary fold. A breast lift is a surgical procedure designed to lift the breast and the nipple into a more aesthetic position and to shape the breasts for better projection.

What Are the Benefits of a Breast Lift?

• Lifts the breast gland to correct sagging
• Helps the nipples point straight instead of downward
• Recommended for excess skin caused by pregnancy and aging
• Shapes the breasts and positions the nipples for more aesthetic breasts

View Breast Lift Before and After Pictures

How are Breast Lifts Performed?

The degree to which the breast gland sags and the position of the nipple areola complex (NAC) determine what type of breast lift operation Dr. Palmer recommends.

The periareaolar lift is the simplest of the lifts but can only lift the nipple and not the gland. If nipple sagging is less than 3-4cm (less than 2 inches) then this relatively simple procedure may be a good choice. There are other pros and cons of periareolar lift to be discussed if this procedure is an option. If both the nipple and gland have fallen, then a more complex procedure is required. Depending on the size of the breasts, this can be accomplished with a circumverticle (lollipop) lift or an inverted T (Wise pattern) lift. The CV lift was designed to eliminate the long scar under the breast and is Dr. Palmer’s preference. Patients with large breasts or severe sagging still may require the full inverted T lift. An examination and discussion with the patient are necessary to make this determination.

As is typical of surgical procedures, the important decisions and complex surgical steps are made deep to the skin incision. For the breasts to obtain the projection and longevity desired, the breast tissue must be supported internally and not rely on the skin to hold it in place. To accomplish this, Dr. Palmer performs an autoaugmentation with his breast lifts. This technique repositions sagging tissue from the lower pole of the breast, placing it behind the nipple and then closes the sides of the breast tissue in front of it. In this manner, the repositioned breast tissue is supported from within and does not rely on the skin to hold it up. This increases projection of the breast and decreases the incidence of “bottoming out”. Excess skin is then removed and closed without tension. A drain is usually not needed.

Another important choice for the surgeon is the type of pedicle used. The term pedicle in a breast lift describes the tissue that supports the blood vessels and nerves that reach the nipple areola complex. Dr. Palmer usually uses a superior or superiomedical pedicle because these allow the previously described autoaugmentation to be performed. They also have a reliable blood supply to the nipple and result in good sensation postoperatively.

What Type of Anesthesia Is Used?

Dr. Palmer performs breast implantation surgery in our office surgical suite using sedation and tumescent local anesthesia. Advantages include patient convenience, avoidance of general anesthesia risks, lower cost, easier recovery, and excellent tolerance. The patient is fully monitored throughout surgery by Dr. Palmer’s registered nurse who is qualified and experienced with these types of procedures. This is the type of anesthesia most used in our office and we are proud of our 100% safety track record since its inception in 2008. No patient has ever required transfer to a hospital, although this is an option if an anesthesia complication were to be encountered.

What is Recovery Like After Breast Lift?

You will awaken with adhesives on your incisions and wearing a support bra. Dr. Palmer does not routinely use a drain. Once you have met discharge criteria, we will once again discuss postoperative instructions with you and your caregiver. You will need a driver to take you home and a caregiver with you for at least the first 24 hours. We like to see patients in follow up on the first post-operative day for safety reasons and you will need a driver for this as well. The first week involves significant discomfort for many so you should expect to need your pain medication (hydrocodone and/or Toradol) for the first few days. You will also be asked to take an antibiotic for 5 days afterward. Wound care should be minimal, but you will need to be restrictive in your activity level to prevent increases in heart rate and blood pressure for the first week to prevent bleeding. Much of the discomfort and swelling will have resolved by the end of the first week, but experience has shown this to be quite variable between patients despite similar procedures. Full activity can be resumed in 4-6 weeks. If you plan to return to work before this time, restriction to light duty is highly recommended.

Dr. Palmer likes to follow patients out to at least one year to allow final results to be adequately assessed. We are available 24/7 via text or phone postoperatively to answer questions and address any concerns.

Are There Any Risks Involved with Breast Lift?

All surgery carries risk, but you can take steps to minimize the chances of experiencing complications resulting from your breast augmentation. The most important aspect is to work with a board-certified surgeon who is experienced with breast augmentation, including more complex cases, such as tuberous breast surgery and revision breast surgery. It is also important to understand and follow all postoperative instructions, especially limiting your activity in the first week.

When Is A Breast Implant Placed During A Lift?

Breast lifts can lead to upper pole deficits even when the breast lift includes auto-augmentation. This is a separate consideration from projection. If upper pole fullness is of great importance to a patient, then Dr. Palmer will recommend that a small breast implant be placed at the same time the lift is performed. This is known as an augmentation mamopexy. There are no additional incisons required to place the implants. This option can be discussed during the consultation.

What is the Cost of a Breast Lift in Fredericksburg, VA?

Breast lift surgery starts at $6,600. When you have a personal consultation with Dr. Palmer, you will receive his full recommendation and your personalized quote for the procedure. Surgical Arts of Virginia accepts payment by cash, personal check, money order, and credit card, as well as financing options through CareCredit®, United Medical Credit and Prosper™ Healthcare Lending.

Breast lift surgery is an effective option for sagging breasts. Dr. R. Shane Palmer offers mastopexy for women in Washington DC, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Richmond, Charlottesville, and nearby communities in Virginia. Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation.