Breast Lift vs. Breast Reduction: Which Is the Right Procedure for You?
Breast surgery can be life-changing. Whether you're considering a breast lift, a breast reduction, or both,… Read On
Craig W. Colville, M.D., F.A.C.S
2865 North Reynolds Road #250
Toledo, OH 43615
Phone: (419) 534-6551
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Women who are satisfied with the size of their breasts, but disappointed with their shape and position, may opt for a breast lift. In Toledo, Ohio, Dr. Craig Colville specializes in cosmetic breast surgery and can reshape and lift breasts to achieve a more youthful contour. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, weight loss, and genetics are all reasons women may choose to get breast lift surgery. Women who want to add or restore volume often choose a breast lift with implants.
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Women who consult with Dr. Colville about a breast lift, or mastopexy, are often seeking to restore a more youthful shape and position to breasts that have begun to sag due to pregnancy or age. Good candidates for a breast lift typically have one or more of these characteristics:
Dr. Colville also performs a breast lift to reshape the breasts after breast implant removal.
A breast lift performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Colville can provide perky, firm breasts that retain their natural look and feel. The best results of any cosmetic surgery begin during your initial consultation, when you and Dr. Colville can discuss your goals and together create a surgical plan designed to meet them. That discussion often leads to the decision to combine the breast lift with implants, because mastopexy alone will not add volume to the breasts.
Breast lift surgery is an outpatient procedure typically completed by Dr. Colville in approximately 1 to 3 hours. General anesthesia is used during the surgery. Breast reshaping is accomplished by removing excess skin and repositioning breast tissue and nipples. Breast lifts can be performed using different incision patterns. The exact incision pattern depends upon the patient’s breast size and the extent of ptosis or sagging.
Dr. Colville makes patient safety the top priority in every procedure. All surgeries, however, include risks. A breast lift may result in visible scars and nipples and breast skin may change or lose their sensation. Infection is rare, but possible. After your surgery, temporary bruising, swelling, discomfort and numbness are typical side effects. You may miss up to 3 days of work, but many patients are able to go out to dinner on the same night as their surgery. You’ll need to avoid strenuous activities for 3 to 6 weeks. Scars will take at least several months to fade.
Breast implants inserted during a breast lift can both raise and reshape sagging breasts and increase breast volume. These changes can be achieved through one surgical procedure that combines removing excess skin, repositioning tissue and nipples, and inserting the desired breast implant size and style.
Dr. Colville offers Allergan, MENTOR®, and Sientra® silicone gel and saline implants. Shaped and textured silicone gel implants used by Dr. Colville include NATRELLE®, Sientra, and Mentor CPG implants. Until they gained FDA approval for breast augmentation, Dr. Colville’s office in Toledo was one of the few Ohio practices where women could get these advanced gel implants, due to his participation in an exclusive clinical study.
A breast lift surgery that includes inserting implants may take up to 4 hours and is performed using a general anesthetic. The outpatient procedure includes the same side effects as breast lift surgery. In addition to the risks that accompany any surgery, breast implants are subject to complications that include leakage or rupture, capsular contracture, and wrinkling or rippling.
Dr. Colville can also combine breast lift surgery, with or without implants, with a tummy tuck in a popular combination procedure known as a mommy makeover. He can help you decide on the surgical plan that is best for you during a consultation.
"My ultimate goal is to design a plan accommodating your wishes and desires in the most aesthetically pleasing manner possible."
Meet Dr. ColvilleWomen considering breast lift surgery travel from Findlay, Sandusky, Ann Arbor, and surrounding cities to our Toledo, Ohio, practice. You can request a consultation online to meet with Dr. Colville or call his office at (419) 534-6551 to schedule an appointment.
While a breast lift can provide long-lasting results, it does not halt the natural aging process. Over time, factors such as gravity, aging, and lifestyle changes can affect breast shape and firmness. However, a breast lift can significantly improve breast position and contour, and with proper care, the results can be enjoyed for many years.
The ability to go braless after a breast lift depends on individual factors such as breast size, skin elasticity, and personal preference. A breast lift can improve breast position and firmness, reducing the need for a bra for support.
There is no specific “best” age for breast lift surgery as the timing varies depending on individual circumstances. Generally, breast lift surgery is recommended for individuals who have experienced significant breast sagging due to factors like pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or aging.
A breast lift involves incisions, resulting in scars. The extent and visibility of scars vary depending on the technique used and individual healing characteristics. We aim to minimize scarring by placing incisions in inconspicuous areas as often as possible, such as around the areola and along the breast crease. Over time, scars typically fade and become less noticeable. Proper scar care and following postoperative instructions can help optimize healing and reduce the appearance of scars.
Studies have found that women typically lose about 1 bra cup size after a breast lift. This is due more to the improved shape of the breasts rather than lost volume.
Whether a breast lift is worth it or not is a highly personal question that each patient needs to answer for herself. If you’re self-conscious about the appearance of sagging breasts, a breast lift is the only effective solution. Of the 2.8 thousand breast lift patients who have posted reviews on the RealSelf website, 94% said the procedure was worth it.