Category Archives: Chest Questions

mastopexy breast lift faq

Most Commonly Asked Questions about Mastopexy/Breast Lift Surgery

Breast Augmentation, Chest Questions

Mastopexy, which is also known as a breast lift, is one of the most common forms of breast augmentation surgery available today. This surgical procedure is designed to help raise and reshape sagging breasts and reinforce skin stretch. If necessary, a mastopexy can also reduce the size of your areolas.

Overall, a mastopexy is designed to help restore sagging breasts back to their original level of perkiness. It does not, however, add volume or size to your breasts. The only way to accomplish that would be to add implants or fat injections to the breasts.

There are many reasons why a woman may opt to have a breast lift, or mastopexy, but it’s always important to talk with your surgeon first. They will be able to advise you on whether a mastopexy will give you the results you’re looking for, or if you’ll have to go a different route.

Remember, not everyone is created equal and just because someone you know had a breast lift and it looks amazing, it may not give you the same results. This is why it’s extremely important to talk with a professional before making any decisions.

But before you talk with a doctor about mastopexy surgery, here are some of the most commonly asked questions about breast lifts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lift Surgery

How Much Does a Mastopexy Cost?

The cost of surgical procedures like mastopexy are going to vary depending on your location, the doctor you’re going to see, and the overall nature of the surgery. Because of this, it’s hard to outline an exact price, but we can give you a price range that a typical mastopexy procedure should fall under.

The average cost of a mastopexy in the United States is around $5,000. Keep in mind that this price is only for the surgery itself, it does not include things like testing, hospital fees, anesthesia, prescriptions, etc.

Depending on where you’re at in the country, and which doctor you go to, you may find prices as low as $2,000 or as high as $12,000. Another thing to keep in mind is that breast lift surgery is considered cosmetic surgery and most health insurance providers will not cover this procedure.

Can You Breast Feed After a Breast Lift?

When it comes to breast augmentation surgeries, like mastopexy, as long as you have a skilled doctor who knows what they’re doing, you should have no problem breastfeeding after the procedure.

If you had trouble breastfeeding before you had the surgery, this procedure will not help with that, but you can rest assured that the mammary glands are typically not disturbed during a procedure like this, so there should be no change to your ability to breastfeed.

How Long Does it Take For a Breast Lift To Heal?

Everyone’s body is different, so the healing process of any surgery is going to vary. Typically when we perform breast lift procedures we see patients back to everyday activities within 2-weeks. This doesn’t mean that you can run out and start exercising and doing sports again, but you should be able to go about your normal daily routine.

Swelling and bruising will be noticeable for about 3 weeks, but this can be easily managed with pain medication and shouldn’t cause too much discomfort if you’re not overexerting yourself.

For up to six weeks after the surgery you may notice some strange sensations around your nipple area. This can include burning feeling and numbness. Rest assured though these sensations typically go away after about six weeks and are very rarely permanent.

After about eight weeks post-op you should be able to resume more high-impact exercises and get back to your regular exercise schedule.

The last thing to heal is going to be your scars. Scars from breast lift surgery tend to change a lot during the first six months so don’t be surprised if they seem fairly noticeable during this time. The incisions themselves should be hidden when you are wearing clothing, even a bathing suit, and will continue to fade as time goes on.

If you wish to help keep the scars from being noticeable, there are scar fading creams on the market that tend to help, but the best thing you can do is keep the scars out of direct sunlight for a while.

If you’re concerned about scarring after the procedure talk with your doctor and they will be able to give you more tips on how to prevent discoloration of the scars.

A breast lift is a great way to return your breasts to their youthful, perkiness, while also helping to boost self-esteem. A skilled, professional, doctor will be able to answer all your questions regarding mastopexy surgery and the results you can expect from it, but it’s always good to go into the office knowing a little bit about the procedure.

Dr. Adams Plastic Surgery in Dallas, Texas is highly skilled in performing breast lift surgery as well as other breast augmentation procedures. Please contact us today to setup a consultation, or if you have any questions about the procedures we offer.

breast implants stretch marks

Breast Implants and Stretch Marks – What You Need To Know

Breast Augmentation, Chest Questions

Breast augmentation can be a life changing experience. It can help you get the body you’ve always wanted, while also helping to boost your self esteem and make you feel better about yourself.

And while the reasons for wanting breast implants or a breast augmentation can vary from person to person, there are always things to consider before going under the knife.

Because breast augmentation is a surgical procedure, there are some inherent risks that go along with it. The recovery process can be uncomfortable, your overall results may vary from what you were expecting, and there is always the possibility of unwanted side-effects.

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures done in the world, and because of that there has been lots of research done on the topic, and new procedural elements implemented over the years to help minimize the risks and complications from the surgery.

In the hands of a skilled, experienced, surgeon, a breast augmentation procedure is extremely safe, but there are still questions we get asked all the time.

For example, in certain situations people are worried about stretch marks when it comes to breast augmentations. And, those questions are posed in varying ways.

Some people are concerned that having breast implants will cause them to develop stretch marks, while others are wondering if having a breast augmentation can eliminate them.

Will Breast Implants Cause Stretch Marks?

It’s natural to assume that if you add something under the skin of your body, something that is larger than what was there before, that you would develop stretch marks on the skin.

The truth is, it depends on how elastic your skin is and how large of a breast implant you get.

Naturally, the larger size implant you get, the greater your chances of developing stretch marks are. But in most cases, with normal sized implants, it’s very rare to develop stretch marks.

The skin of the breast is general more elastic than skin on other parts of your body. Because of this elasticity, it can stretch naturally on it’s own without causing stretch marks.

Stretch marks are caused when the deep layers of skin tear and scar over. This is usually caused when the skin is “stretched” too far, faster than it can handle. You’ll often see this in the abdomen area during pregnancy due to the sudden weight gain that your body isn’t used to. But along with weight gain, stretch marks can occur based on genetics.

If you naturally have thinner, weaker skin, then you could be more pre-disposed to developing stretch marks with breast implants.

There are a couple ways to help reduce the risk of stretch marks after breast implants. The first way is to ensure that you’re not going too large.

Extremely large breast implants, that are clearly not made for your body, can produce overstretching of the skin the breast area, thus causing stretch marks to appear.

The other way is to find a surgeon who does their implants underneath the muscle tissue in the chest. Otherwise known as a submuscular implant. By placing the implant underneath the muscle there will be less pressure applied to the skin itself. This will help reduce the possibility of stretch marks forming on the skin.

Stretch marks after a breast augmentation surgery are not a common occurrence by any means, but as we stated above, there are some factors that can put you more at risk. It’s important to talk with your doctor if stretch marks are a major concern of yours.

Can Breast Augmentation Remove Stretch Marks?

In addition to questions about whether or not breast augmentation can cause stretch marks, we also get asked if they can help eliminate stretch marks that may come from sagging breasts.

Unfortunately, stretch marks are usually permanent, but there are ways to lessen the visibility of them. There are cosmetic creams and procedures that can help fade them out so they aren’t as noticeable, but as far as using breast augmentation to completely eliminate them, that’s rarely going to be possible.

What is possible though, is that during a breast augmentation procedure, your sagging breasts will be corrected, and resized in a way that will help hide the stretch marks that may have come from having children or with age. In addition to this, a breast lift can be performed to also help minimize the noticeability of those stretch marks.

So while a breast augmentation isn’t going to fix your stretch marks completely, it can help hide them and make them far less noticeable.

If you have more questions about breast augmentation and stretch marks, please contact us today! At the Dr Adams Plastic Surgery Center in Dallas, Texas, our goal is to make sure we’re open and honest about what you can expect from your breast augmentation surgery.

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have regarding these procedures to ensure that you know all the benefits and risks, as well as what to expect from the completed surgery.

clothes after breast augmentation

What Should You Wear After a Breast Augmentation?

Breast Augmentation, Chest Questions

After undergoing any type of surgery to your body, it’s important that you find the correct clothes that will allow you to heal as well as keep you comfortable. You want to give your body the ability to relax, but also want to support areas that may need support in order to reduce any pain you may feel while recovering.

As with any plastic surgery, breast augmentation is an invasive surgery that requires making incisions in the body, both on the surface level and under the skin, which can lead to discomfort during the recovery process.

Thankfully, Dr. Adams has perfected his Fast-Track 24-Hour Recovery Breast Augmentation method that allows a patient to return to normal everyday life (outside of exercise and strenuous activity) within 24 hours.

The procedure uses unique surgical techniques to minimize the trauma associated with breast augmentation surgery. By understanding where on the body to make incisions to keep internal tissue damage to a minimum, Dr. Adams is able to cut the traditional recovery time down to just 24 hours instead of weeks.

This allows for the patient to get back to work and going out with family and friends sooner, rather than having to stay home in bed while recovering.

But regardless of whether you choose Dr. Adams for your breast augmentation surgery, you’ll want to be comfortable when going through recovery, which is why it’s important to wear the right clothes after your surgery.

What Type of Clothes to Wear After Breast Augmentation?

Bras

One of the most important pieces of clothing after undergoing breast augmentation surgery is going to be a comfortable bra.

Depending on your doctor you may be told to go bra-less for a few days post-surgery or to wear specific post-surgical bras to help reduce swelling and to prevent the implants from shifting while they are healing.

Definitely take the advice that your doctor gives to you, they know what they are talking about. And in most cases doctors will recommend not wearing a traditional underwire bra until about six weeks after surgery.

We put together a list of great bras to use when recovering from breast augmentation if you’re looking for more guidance. 

Shirts

As we mentioned above, the proper bra is going to be the most important part of your outfit in the days after your breast augmentation surgery, but that doesn’t mean that you should just wear normal clothes over that.

In most cases you’re going to want to wear clothes that are easy to take on and off. Loose fitting t-shirts or blouses and zip-up hoodies tend to work best.

Due to the nature of how breast implants are inserted into the body, there will be some incisions made in the body tissue/muscle underneath the skin. This can lead to sore/achiness in your chest. The proper support from a bra can help, but you’ll want to do everything you can to reduce your arm movement.

Moving your arms away from your body can cause strain on the pectoralis muscle, which will be very sore from the surgery. By wearing loose fitting tops, or zip-up clothing, you’ll be able to easily put on and remove your shirts and minimize any pain you may experience.

Pants

The idea with pants after breast augmentation surgery is ease of removal and comfort. Your breast augmentation surgery will have no impact on your lower body, but the movement associated with removing your pants can exacerbate the soreness in your upper body.

Ensuring that your pants are easy to remove is key in minimizing the pain you may experience in your chest when making those movements.

Plus, if you’re going to be laying around for a few days, who wouldn’t want to be as comfortable as possible.

How Long Do I Have to Wear These Clothes After Surgery?

With a traditional breast implants you’ll want to wear these comfortable clothes for at least the first week. After the first week you can transition to more normal outer clothes if you’re feeling up to it, but you’ll want to continue to wear a softer sports bra, as you continue to heal.

If you’re still experiencing pain while wearing normal clothes, then continue to dress comfortably until the pain subsides.

After three weeks you should be able to wear normal clothes and transition to a normal, soft, bra. Remember, still no underwire or push-up bras until after the six week mark.

After the six week mark you should be able to wear whatever you want without significant pain. If you’re still experiencing significant pain at this point, we would recommend reaching out to your doctor.

Dr. Adams Fast- Track 24-Hour Recovery Breast Augmentation

If the recovery process from a traditional breast augmentation surgery is concerning to you, or is one of the reasons why you may not be considering the procedure, contact us!

Dr. Adams has perfected his Fast-Track 24-Hour breast augmentation recovery and will be able to help you reduce the downtime typically associated with breast augmentation surgery.

Contact us today to setup an in-office or virtual consultation to discuss the process and how it may benefit you.

breast implant replacement

Do Breast Implants Need to be Replaced?

Chest Questions

One of the most common questions regarding breast implants is when—or if—they will need to be replaced. It’s a valid concern that many prospective patients have, as the cost of replacement can be as much as the initial surgery.

You’ve probably already heard the rumor that implants only last ten years before they need replacement. This can cause many women to rethink getting the breast surgery that they want due to costs and the uncertainty of what will happen in the future.

We’re going to look whether or not that is true, the average lifespan of implants, and signs that they will need to be replaced.

What is the Average Breast Implant Lifespan?

The misnomer that breast implants need to be replaced every 10 years comes from older implant generations from the 70s and 80s. The in-walls of the implants form this period were all either leaking or ruptured by 10 years. 

There are three FDA approved manufacturers in the United States – Allergan, Mentor and Sientra.  In the Premarket Approval (PMA) trials for these manufacturers the implant failure rates were much lower today, given the long-term data.  So in reality, for most women that have an implant that is 15 years old, there is an 85% chance that it is still completely iintact and only a 15% or less chance that it is leaking or has a shell tear.  

Why Would Implants Require Replacement?

If a breast implant needs to be replaced, it’s often due to complications that can cause a change in the shape of the breast or medical issues. Here are a few reasons why many women are required to undergo a second surgery at some point in the future:

Rupture and Leakage

This is most often due to a leak in the valve area or hole inside the implant. As the body harmlessly absorbs the saline solution, the implant deflates and causes a noticeable change in the size, shape, and appearance of the breast.

Natural Changes in Shape

Sometimes, women will gain or lose weight over time. This can cause the implant to shift from its original position and that could change the look or shape of the breast.

Capsular Contracture

In the immediate weeks and months following breast implant surgery, the human body will form a protective scar around the implant. This is referred to as a “capsule” and is often soft and gives the implant that natural feel. 

For some women, the scar can thicken, harden, and start to contract the implant. This sometimes causes the implant to lift up on the chest wall, which can cause physical discomfort and an unnatural appearance. 

Implant Malpostion

Implants can sometimes move slightly in a different direction from where they were originally placed. The movement isn’t more than a few millimeters, but it’s noticeable enough to cause the breasts to look uneven.

Improved Implant Technology

Medical technology is increasing every year at an exponential rate. Women who had their implants done in the early 2000s are opting to get them redone with current-day implants that offer a more natural look and feel.

What Happens to Implants as Women Age?

Assuming there are no leaks or ruptures, the implants themselves can last a literal lifetime. As women with breast implants grow older, their breasts are subjected to the natural effects of aging, and this can cause changes in appearance or shape. 

Gravity, lost tissue connectivity, sun damage, and even the effects of motherhood can all cause breasts to look or feel different as time goes by. Older women will sometimes notice saggy breasts, visible ripping of the implants, or changes in size due to hormonal fluctuations.  

Conclusion

It’s hard to say how long breast implants will last before they need replacement or removal. As each woman’s body is different, the best thing to do is follow the advice of your surgeon, get regularly scheduled mammograms (and MRI’s), and make an appointment with your surgeon if you experience any signs of swelling, pain, or discomfort. 

While there are some risks associated with breast implants, the vast majority of women get them done without any complications. They feel that the rewards are well worth the potential risks as new breasts can help improve self-esteem and their overall quality of life.

breast lift vs breast augmentation

Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation: Which is Right for Me?

Chest Questions

When it comes to changing the look, shape, or size of their breasts, some women can get a little confused as to what kind of procedure they should get.

Breast lift or breast augmentation – or a combination thereof?

Plastic surgeons often hear the question: “what’s the difference between a breast lift and breast augmentation?”

We’re going to look at both procedures, what they entail, possible outcomes, and general cost so that you can get a better idea of what to ask for when you sit down for a consultation.

Breast Augmentation

The purpose of a breast augmentation procedure is to enhance the size of the breasts. Augmentation involves breast implants and several important decisions on both the part of the surgeon and the patient. Some of the things that will need to be decided before undergoing the knife are:

Implant Placement and Incision – The exact spot where the surgeon places the breast implant will play a role in determining the shape of the breast. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will explain the various outcomes that will result from placement in different areas.

The patient and surgeon will also need to agree on where the incision should take place. The most common areas for incision are under the armpit, under the fold of the breast, or around the nipple. Each incision area has advantages and disadvantages that the surgeon will also explain during the consultation.

Implant Shape and Size – There are many options available for changing the shape and size of the breasts. Some of these options will need to be weighed against the body features of the prospective patient.

The chest wall shape, body form, lifestyle, and overall goals will all need to be taken into consideration with regards to choosing the final shape and size of the breasts. A good surgeon will have recommendations and can help guide the patient into making a decision in which she will be pleased with the outcome.

Type of Implant – Patients will also need to figure out if they want saline or silicone implants. Silicone is usually more expensive, requires a much larger incision, and can involve more work for the surgeon.

The trade off is that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel to them which is excellent for women who have little natural breast tissue.

Saline implants can add shape and volume without changing the overall feel of the breasts. They tend to work best for women who have ample natural breast tissue.

Breast Lift

When breasts lose volume, they tend to sag. This happens most often as women get older and their bodies start to change. Childbirth and weight loss or gain can also cause breasts to sag. Breast lifts completely avoid implants and instead focus on the surgical correction and lifting of saggy breasts.

There are three main types of breast lift procedures:

Periareolar – The incision approach from this procedure follows the natural areola shape and works best for women who have large areolas with minimal breast sagging.

Vertical breast reduction – This procedure is similar to the periareolar one, but it also extends downwards from the areola, thereby giving a slightly greater lift for women who have moderate sagging issues.

Inverted-T incisions – This is the most common procedure and produces relatively predictable results. It gives the maximum amount of breast lift possible.

Can You Combine Both?

At the end of the day, the work that will be done will be contingent upon the desires of the patient and the expertise of the surgeon.  Sometimes this means that a surgeon might recommend both a breast augmentation and breast lift. This is done to help restore the breasts to what they looked like when the patient was younger.

Which One is Right for You?

Changing the shape and size of your breasts is a very personal decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly or based solely on a picture you saw in a magazine or on the internet.

This is why it’s so important that you choose a qualified plastic surgeon who has the experience and know-how to help guide your decision and give you the results that you’re looking for.

Dr. Adams is not only an accomplished plastic surgeon and Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center, but he’s also an international authority on breast augmentation and enlargement. Women from all over the country fly into Dallas to have Dr. Adams perform their breast lifts and augmentations.      

Breast Lifts and Augmentations in Dallas

If you’re unhappy with the shape, size, or sagginess of your breasts, give the offices of Dr. Adams a call at (214) 965-9885 or contact us via our website. We’re conveniently located just a short ride from DFW airport.  Dr. Adams and his staff will help you regain lost confidence and a new outlook on life!