At The Krochmal Center for Plastic Surgery
Watch Dr. Daniel Krochmal, MD, FACS review Breast Procedures at The Krochmal Center for Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Daniel Krochmal, MD, FACS answers your most common questions about Breast Lifts
A Breast Lift procedure aims to enhance the shape, position, and volume of the breast. This surgery is typically performed to address loss of volume, sagging, positioning, and excess skin. Additionally, it significantly enhances one’s ability to exercise comfortably and boosts self-esteem.
A Breast Lift, or Mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to elevate and reshape sagging breasts for a more youthful and contoured appearance. During the surgery, an incision is typically made around the areola, extending downward and sometimes along the breast crease. Excess skin is removed, and the underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve firmness and contour. The nipples and areolas may also be repositioned to a more natural height. In some cases, the areola size is reduced to maintain proportion with the newly contoured breast. The incisions are then closed with sutures, and recovery typically involves wearing a supportive bra and following post-operative care instructions to ensure optimal results.
A good candidate for Breast Lift is somebody who is overall in good health and desires lifted breasts, either for functional or cosmetic reasons. Ideally, you would want to wait until you are done having children before Breast Lift, as the breasts can change significantly with pregnancy. However, many women choose to get a Breast Lift after weightloss as well. Please note that following a Breast Lift there is a significantly increased likelihood that patients will not be able to breastfeed, so if breastfeeding is important to you, it is not recommended to do this surgery if you are planning a pregnancy.
Breast Lift recovery time is pretty straightforward. You’ll be a bit sore for a few days (like you did a lot of pushups), but you’re otherwise functioning and feeling fine. You’ll get pain medication to help with the discomfort, but surprisingly many patients don’t even take them! Many patients get immediate relief from their back and neck pain and are actually in LESS pain right after surgery. Most patients are out to dinner the following day, and driving after several days. You can shower the next day, but no soaking in water, heavy lifting, or strenuous activity for 1 month. For postoperative garments, you’ll be given a special surgical bra to wear afterward to keep the breasts in the proper position while the scars heal.
Depending on your age and family history of breast cancer, your surgeon may require you to be up-to-date on your mammograms before doing your breast surgery. Many surgeons will also routinely send breast tissue to pathology to have it examined under a microscope. The chances of finding breast cancer during your surgery are rare, but if it IS found, it may be a blessing in disguise (it was likely discovered much earlier than it otherwise would have been, which is always a good thing).
There is no “best” surgeon for any procedure. But, there are some qualifications and credentials that improve the chance that you will achieve your desired result safely. Make sure your surgeon is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Make sure they operate in a fully accredited facility. If the procedure is not being done in a hospital, make sure they have privileges at a local hospital to do the procedure you are getting done. Make sure they have completed an accredited residency or fellowship program, or have received specialized training in the procedure you want. Read their reviews to get a sense of what other patients have experienced. Check out their before/after pictures to get a sense of their technical and artistic style, and see if they operate on patients who appear similar to you.
And most importantly, schedule a consultation with that doctor to see if they are a good “fit” for you. Every doctor has his or her own personality and approach to patient care, so you will want to see if you like that particular approach. Do they inspire confidence and trust? Are they calming and reassuring? Do they take the time to answer your questions? Do they discuss alternative approaches and say why those approaches may or may not work? Do they seem like they will continue to care for you after the procedure?
There is no “best Breast Lift surgeon”, but there is a “best” surgeon for you. You just may need to consult with several to find the right one. Hopefully Dr. Krochmal is on your list of Chicago and Hinsdale plastic surgeons to see. We’re happy to help Shape Your Ffuture!
Breast Lift surgery typically costs between $6,000 and $12,000.
A Breast Lift result is permanent in the sense that the breast size and positioning will always be improved compared to if you had never done the surgery, even if the breast does change and sag with increased age.
You should get a Breast Lift if your breasts are not the shape, volume, or position than you’d like them to be.
Dr. Daniel Krochmal, MD, FACS shares real patient results from Breast Lift at The Krochmal Center for Plastic Surgery.
39 yo Female 3 Months Following a Breast Lift. This Patient Also Had an Abdominoplasty with Liposuction 360 (Mommy Makeover).
49 yo Female 6 Months Following a Breast Lift with Fat Grafting to Her Left Breast for Symmetry. This Patient Also Had an Abdominoplasty (Mommy Makeover).
24 yo Female 2 Months Following a Breast Lift.
38 yo Female 3 Months Following a Breast Lift. This Patient Also Had a “Torsoplasty” to Contour Her Lateral Chest.
42 yo Female 3 Months Following a Breast Augmentation (Allergan Smooth Round Full 365 cc) with a Breast Lift and GalaFlex Internal Bra Support. This Patient Also Had an Abdominoplasty (Mommy Makeover).
27 yo Female 6 Years Following a Breast Lift with Breast Augmentation (Allergan Smooth Round Soft Touch Moderate Profile 445).
34 yo Female Following a Breast Implant Exchange (Saline to Allergan Smooth Round Moderate 405 cc) with a Breast Lift.
52 yo Female 4 Years Following a Breast Implant Removal with a Breast Lift. This Patient Also Had Abdominal Liposuction.