Bulletin Board for Patient's Questions and Answers
Breast Lift Mastopexy for Ptosis (sagging and drooping breasts)

Explore what others have to say about breast ptosis (sagging breast) and mastopexy breast lift surgery with answers by Dr. Michael Bermant, MD.

Michael Bermant, MD
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

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This is the page where you can review questions and stories from patients, view the opinions of lay persons, and see answers from Dr. Bermant and other physicians. Do you want to ask a question, post an answer, or make a comment? Information E-mailed to me will be considered for posting.

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Information posted in this section does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Dr. Bermant.

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Subj: How Are Breasts Lifted to Keep Them Up? What Happens After Weight Loss?

Hello Dr.,

I have visited many websites regarding breast lifting. It appears as if there are different ways to achieve the lifting - however, I am not sure I understand any of them. Some attach the breast to maintain the lift? Some remove skin to make them smaller and thus I guess, lift them? And, it appears as if some simple move the nipple higher. I would think if I was going through the surgery for a lift I would want them attached somewhere to keep them up no? What is this called? Why isn't it always used?

Also, should the breasts actually be made smaller for the lift -what happens if I lose weight and they become too small (but perky)?

Thank you for any light you can put on the subject.

J

Dr. Bermant responds:

Each surgeon has his / her preferences for surgical techniques. Breast Lift Mastopexy by tightening the skin alone can look good initially but did not seem to have a very good record in keeping breasts elevated. Skin can easily stretch, and skin tight after removing excess, can again relax from the weight of the breasts. The Internal Breast Lift Technique depends on resuspending the breast and supporting tissues themselves. Although this tissue can also sag over time, it tends to support the breast better than skin alone. The internal sculpture makes a "perky breast." With the breast supported internally, the nipple areola are in a higher, more youthful position.

Part of the breast is fat. Weight loss after surgery can result in less breast volume. This may be only a reduction in size but it also can mean a recurrence of drooping. Getting to a weight you are comfortable with before mastopexy surgery is better than weight loss after breast lift surgery.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD

Subj: Breast Sagging and Weight Loss, Scars and Breast Lift Techniques

Hi my question is concerning a breast lift. I've gained weight and now my breasts are not up where they used to be. I'm in the process of losing weight and I hope they will go back to where they were, but I'm afraid of being wrong about that. If I do get a breast lift, I really want to go for the short scar option (doughnut cut). I do not want the anchor cut (vertical under the areolas). I know that it is advised in worse cases to have it, but couldn't there be some improvement in anycase with the doughnut cut especially if the breast goes down to a A or B size? If I insisted on the doughnut cut no matter what there would still be "some improvement" right? I really don't know if I could deal with a vertical scar going down the breast.
Thank you so much,
M

Dr. Bermant responds:

Heavy breasts can stretch skin and suspension tissues causing breast sagging and drooping. With weight loss, skin and suspending tissues can recover to a degree. When they do not, Breast Lift Mastopexy is an option to tighten suspension tissues and remove excess skin. Short Scar Breast Lift Techniques can minimize the length of scars, but also limit how much skin can be removed. A patient's problem and tissues can limit the choice of surgical techniques. Limiting a surgeon's choice can result in a major problem. Such issues are best explored during a consultation after an evaluation.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD

Subj: Breast Lift Mastopexy for Miami Florida Patient

Hello, Doctor. I used to live right by Dulles Airport, but have recently moved to the Miami area. I am interested in a breast lift and I would like your help. Could you recommend anyone in the south Florida area. I like your site and what you have to say about the procedures. I wish that I was still in the area!

Thank you for your help.
M

Dr. Bermant responds:

Thank you for your comments about my surgical sculpture for Breast Lift Mastopexy. Not all surgeons have the same skills or use the same techniques. Picking your surgeon is like picking an artist. Sorry, we are not a referral service. However we do see many patients from Florida who prefer my surgical techniques and are happy to help you explore your options during a consultation or Preliminary Remote Discussion.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD

Subj: Breast Surgery for Neck and Back Pain

Hello, I am 22 years old. I have gained and lost 85 pounds with both of my pregnancies. I have a lot of excess skin on my breast and stomach. I also have some back pain and neck pain. However I do not know if it is related to the ptosis. Where do patients generally have pain if there sagging skin is severe on the breasts? My pain is chronic and mostly in my lower neck and shoulder blades. Thank you for your time.

Dr. Bermant responds:

Pregnancy can take its toll on the body. How plastic surgery can help after pregnancy depend on the problems. Large heavy breasts can cause neck and back discomfort. Large breasts tend to sag as the weight stretches the skin and supporting structures. Breast Lift Mastopexy can resuspend the breasts. However, they do not help with the weight nor pain caused by breast mass. Breast Reduction Mammaplasty can both reduce and lift the breasts. It is the reduction, not the lift that results in the weight relief. Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty can help with excess and loose abdominal tissues.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD

Subj: Breast Lift Without Implants For African American Female with Nipples That Stare at Feet

Good Afternoon,

I happened upon your website and read about breast lift surgery without the use of implants.
I am a 33 year old African American female. I have two children who both breast fed for about 4 months. My youngest just turned 5 years old. My breast size is 36 C. I am an athletic woman and I work out every day. My breasts sag horribly. My nipples stare at my feet and I want them to look straight ahead! J I realize this may be hard to answer without an actual office visit, but given the size I description I’ve provided, so you think the mastopexy surgery would work for me? I am going to check into coverage from my insurance company, however, if it is not covered and I have to pay out of pocket for everything – does your office have payment options available?

Thanks.

Dr. Bermant responds:

We work hard to minimize scar risks for all of our patients and you can see many examples of my sculpture on African American patients on my website. Words alone do not reveal enough to determine if a patient is a good candidate for Breast Lift Mastopexy. We prefer an in office examination when possible to better evaluate the nature of tissues. For our many patients who need to travel a great distance for my sculpture, our Preliminary Remote Discussion is a good place to start. You would need to fill out information forms and send us Standardized Breast Pictures for us to better understand the nature of your problem. Jane is my office manager. She can normally be reached at our office by phone Monday - Friday 9-5 Eastern Time at (804) 748-7737.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD

Subj: Price for Breast Lift Without Implants and Sensation After Mastopexy Surgery

Hi Dr. Bermant, I am a 42 year old woman who needs a breast lift without implants. I was wondering if you could inform me of the price for this procedure and also if its true that 10% of women lose their nipple stimulation after the procedure and if so do they regain it back fully or is it gone forever or possibly do they regain it partially? I am worried about this part of the procedure. Please respond if you have time.
Thank you
J

Dr. Bermant responds:

The cost for Breast Lift Surgery depends on the problem to be treated. We would need to know more in order to better define your costs. Jane is my office manager and can better discuss prices and fees. She can normally be reached at our office by phone Monday - Friday 9-5 Eastern Time at (804) 748-7737.

Sensation after surgery depends on the problem to be treated, surgical technique, skill of your surgeon, and how you heal. I prefer techniques that minimize the risk of lost sensation. Some numbness is possible after any operation. However, my breast lift patients typically tell me they have good feeling after surgery. Here is a video of one patient's description of her breast lift surgery that included her comments about numbness and sensation after surgery. The nice thing about the audio clip is that you can hear the emotion behind the words instead of just reading them.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD

Bermant Plastic Surgery
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