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Can A Breast Lift Be The Right Procedure For You?

When we talk about cosmetic breast surgery, many of us say “boob job.” Or, if we want to be more technical in our vernacular, we may say mammoplasty or breast augmentation or breast enlargement. But what many of us don’t realize, oftentimes the best breast surgery for many women is mastopexy, better known as a breast lift.

Unfortunately, a woman’s youthful breast curve will change with age. Many factors contribute to this cosmetic alteration, including hormonal changes, gravity, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. And although size is a significant concern for many, all women at some point (typically after age forty) will notice their breasts will sag, and their nipples start pointing downward.

At Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg, we help women with their breast appearance and overall body aesthetics. A breast lift is an excellent procedure to help women look and feel beautiful and shapely by rejuvenating their breast contours into that sensual upward curve.

What is a Breast Lift?

The purpose of breast lift surgery is to lift and restore breast elevation when they sag after weight loss, pregnancy, or aging. Rather than increase volume, a breast lift repositions breast tissue higher on the chest wall. It can also elevate the nipples and raise a significant amount of breast tissue from below the natural crease.

Who Makes an Excellent Breast Lift Candidate?

Some women make better breast lift candidates than others. Here are common cosmetic concerns to look for:

Nipples Point Downward

When breast skin begins stretching and sagging, gravity pushes breast tissue and the nipples downward. Our excellent plastic surgeons can employ breast lift surgery to reposition your breasts so your nipples are elevated above the breast crease.

Loss of Breast Volume After Weight Loss

If you lose fatty tissue after significant weight loss, loose and lax skin can contribute to an empty and stretched breast presence. A breast lift removes excess skin to enhance breast contours and restore a younger and more symmetrical breast shape.

Asymmetrical Breasts

Since a breast lift reshapes breast tissue to lift sagging breasts, it can be an efficient procedure to correct asymmetry and restore breast balance with a rounded, natural shape.

What to Expect After a Breast Lift

A Breast lift takes about one to two hours and is performed as an outpatient procedure. Expect some swelling and soreness, but prescribed pain medication will help you manage it. Most women only need prescription-strength meds for the first few days, then switch to over-the-counter medication or nothing at all.

We encourage you to do light walking for the first few days to increase circulation and prevent complications. Most patients can return to work within a week after breast surgery, but more time will be needed if your work is physically demanding. You’ll need to limit working out except for light walking for two to six weeks after surgery. We will give you detailed post-surgery instructions to follow to ensure you heal properly and your results are a success.  

Schedule a Consultation

The breast lift can be a transformative procedure for women looking for breast surgery in Fredericksburg, VA. To meet with a board-certified breast surgeon, contact Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg by calling (540) 371-7730 or using our online form.

How Can a Breast Lift Transform Your Appearance?

Good news: You don’t have to live with sagging or deflated breasts anymore. You can regain a youthful, upward curve and reclaim your self-esteem. Through surgery, we can resolve the effects of pregnancy, weight fluctuation, hormonal changes, and nursing. Your board-certified plastic surgeon from Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg understands the importance of breast appearance and a woman’s sense of femininity. Each has an artistic eye and the surgical expertise to achieve highly satisfying results for their patients.

Achieving Youthful-Looking Breasts

The hallmarks of youthful breasts are volume and position. Unfortunately, women tend to lose breast volume with age. Also, physical changes from pregnancy often leave women with volume loss.

Breast augmentation can restore or add fullness to flat, pendulous breasts via saline or silicone implants or fat transfer. Sometimes, a breast augmentation as a stand-alone procedure is enough for a lifted appearance. However, when breasts droop or sag severely, or when a significant amount of tissue has stretched out, leaving excess skin, a breast lift is often the best option.

Improving Natural Breast Contour

A breast lift can effectively lift the breast contour to a more youthful elevation.

Breasts come in different sizes and shapes. Your breast shape should complement your entire body, but when they flatten and sag, they detract from your attractive figure.

Our surgeons believe in enhancing a woman’s natural beauty, including her breasts. Therefore, they will examine your breasts and body type during your consultation to determine the right amount of lift.

If your breasts are petite or have lost volume, combining a breast lift with implants can be an excellent way to increase the size and improve shape and firmness.

How Does a Breast Lift Help Me Look Better?

With its ability to create a more aesthetically pleasing contour, the breast lift is undoubtedly one of the most valuable cosmetic procedures for women with drooping breast concerns. But, arguably more valuable than enhancing your figure is the boost in confidence and self-esteem a breast lift can deliver. Countless Northern Virginia women have undergone breast lifts at Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg with results that have enriched their lives.

What About Breastfeeding

Many women are concerned with their ability to breastfeed after a breast lift. The breast lift does not interfere with a woman’s ability to nurse her baby. However, having children after a breast lift may reverse some of your results.

Want to Love Your Breast Lift?

Deciding to get breast lift surgery can be challenging. To learn about the breast surgery options in Fredericksburg, Richmond, Fairfax, and beyond, contact our office or call us today at (540) 371-7730.

Our community voted Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg the Best Plastic Surgery Practice in the Best of Burg 2021 contest in Fredericksburg, VA. Drs. Heppe, Bautista, and Aflaki would like to thank everyone for their vote!

How to Tell If You Need a Breast Lift

Pregnancy, lifestyle changes, weight fluctuations, and aging all have profound effects on a woman’s body.

In our youth, breasts are full, plump, and sit high on the chest. As time goes on, it is perfectly normal to experience a reduction in breast shape and position.

As this occurs, many women seek some form of breast enhancement procedure to revitalize their breasts and restore them to their youthful glory.

But how do you know if a breast lift is the correct procedure for you? Follow this advice to find out.

Does the Appearance of Your Breasts Concern You?

The crucial factor determining your suitability for a breast lift is how you feel about your breasts and whether they make you feel self-conscious in any way. If you are not happy with the position of your breasts, areolas, and nipples, you should at least consider having a consultation with a leading breast enhancement expert to see if the procedure can help you be more satisfied with your body.

If, for example, choosing a new push-up bra still doesn’t give the perky look you want, you may want to think about a breast lift.

Are Your Nipples and Areolas Pointing Down?

Aesthetically pleasing breasts are generally those with nipples that point directly ahead. With sagging breasts, the nipples and areolas (the darker patches of skin surrounding the nipples) almost always point down toward the ground.

As you look in the mirror, do your nipples look back at you? If not, you might want to consider a breast lift, which will not only make your breasts sit higher on your chest, but also reposition the nipples.

Nipples Below the Crease

The position of the nipples doesn’t necessarily need to be straight down to consider a breast lift. If you can see your nipples sit below the natural crease formed between your breast and chest skin, a breast lift can pull the nipples higher into a prouder, more assertive position.

Loose Breasts

If your breasts swing significantly when you work out or when you don’t wear a bra, this could be due to stretching of the skin causing them to sit lower and move in relation to your body. A breast lift removes excess skin, reduces stretching, and pulls the breasts higher onto the chest, thus eliminating much of the movement experienced with saggy breasts.

Fredericksburg’s Leading Breast Lift Specialists

The pain point to ask yourself when considering a breast lift is: Do I want one? If you are content with the way your breasts look, you likely do not need a breast lift. If, however, you wish more for your breasts and would like to see them sit higher and tighter on your chest, a breast lift could be for you.

If you also want your breasts to be larger, you may wish to consider a breast augmentation in conjunction with a breast lift. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the expert team of plastic surgeons at Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg, either by calling 540-371-7730 or filling out our online form, to discuss what options are available to you to enhance the appearance of your breasts.

Mommy Makeover Series: Breast Implants – Breast Lift

You’re a mother, and you love being one. You wouldn’t change anything in the world about motherhood – except for one thing: your body.

You had a different body before pregnancy; you felt confident, healthy, and you even turned a head or two. You’ve sacrificed for your children, and that’s okay – but you want to feel proud of your body again. You want to look in that mirror and feel confident. You want to go into that closet and fit into your best clothes. You can get that feeling again with a mommy makeover and with one mommy makeover procedure in particular: the breast lift with implants.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Mastopexy, also known as a breast lift, elevates your breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. A breast lift reshapes the breast to a more youthful form, and it resizes overly large nipples that were stretched by sagging breasts.

Breast Implants (Mammoplasty)

While a breast lift can reshape your breasts, addressing volume loss is another issue. Many women experience volume loss once lactation and breastfeeding are over. Pregnancy has stolen both size and volume from your breasts, and they need help!

To address both issues, the breast lift can be paired with breast implants. A breast lift with implants can:

  • Restore volume loss due to breastfeeding
  • Reposition and elevate sagging breasts
  • Create a perkier shape
  • Resize overly large nipples
  • Enhance the cleavage

Choosing Breast Surgery

The decision to get breast surgery is a big one. It is a major procedure, and it’s not to be taken lightly. Being fully informed is vital to making the right choice, that’s why a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon is critical. A qualified surgeon should be able to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Don’t forget to ask your surgeon these questions about the breast lift with implants:

  • Am I a candidate for the breast lift with implants?
  • How frequently do you perform this procedure?
  • What are your qualifications for performing the breast lift with implants?

Contact us today for your consultation to determine if breast augmentation is right for you. Call us at (540) 371-7730 or contact us online today.

What You Need to Know about Breast Augmentation in Your 60s+

As a whole, people are living longer now than they ever have before in the past. As such, if you’re a woman over 60, you’re probably looking forward to a bright, healthy future, and you want a body to match your aspirations! Many women over 60 are turning to cosmetic surgery to reshape and revitalize their bodies, with tummy tucks, breast lifts, and breast implants being among the most popular procedures. If you’re one of the many “baby boomers” who are interested in breast augmentation, here’s what you’ll need to know beforehand:

You can combine breast augmentation and breast lift surgery.

Combining these two complementary procedures is recommended for a number of reasons: One, women tend to lose volume on the upper part of their breasts as they get older, leading to both a reduction in breast size and a “flat” look. Having both a lift and augmentation performed will correct this issue completely by adding volume and repositioning the nipples so that they sit higher up on the chest. Combining surgeries makes sense from a practical point of view as well: It minimizes the patient’s recovery time and keeps costs reasonable.

You’ll need to be in good overall health.

Even if you feel healthy and lead an active lifestyle, you’ll need to have a comprehensive medical exam before surgery.  Ideally you have had a recent or have been receiving regular mammograms, or you may need to have one performed prior to surgery.

If you smoke, you’ll need to stop before surgery.

Older women don’t heal as quickly as younger women, so it’s of paramount importance that you do everything in your power to prime your body for recovery. In addition to getting medical clearance prior to surgery and eating healthily, you’ll need to stop smoking for at least three weeks leading up to your surgery. This is because smoking decreases the amount of oxygen available in the blood and therefore impedes the body’s natural healing processes.

If you have further questions or concerns about having breast augmentation surgery, feel free to get in touch with us. Our caring, knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to help you plan for a successful, satisfying augmentation procedure. Contact Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg today to schedule your consultation.

Will You Be Mine? Top Reasons to Say Yes to Breast Surgery This Valentine’s Day

The love month is not just for couples. Whether you’re single or in a happy long distance relationship, you can still celebrate the day of hearts with something special.

That said, if you don’t have any plans this Valentine’s Day, may we suggest a cosmetic procedure that can help increase your love for yourself, and that is no other than breast enhancement surgery.

People enhance their breasts for a myriad of reasons. Some choose to get breast implants because they want to improve the proportion of their body. Others choose to reduce their breast size surgically so they can try high-intensity sports or to feel comfortable. Whatever the reason is, many breast surgery patients enjoy one common benefit, and that is they love their bodies more.

A Few Reasons for Breast Surgery

If you are hesitant to try breast surgery, here are additional reasons to consider this life-enhancing procedure:

Increased Confidence

When you know you look good, you can’t help but change the way you feel for the better. Confidence can take you to many places. If you’re confident, you won’t shy away from putting yourself “out there”.

Male breast reduction surgery can help sculpt the upper body in men to make them look a bit more masculine. An enhanced appearance can give a guy the confidence to go out there and perhaps meet a special someone.

Help Reach Weight Loss Goals

Breast surgery can help you reach your goals in round about ways. For instance, if you’re unmotivated to go to the gym because it’s uncomfortable to exercise with overly large breasts, then a breast reduction surgery may be just the ticket to fix this issue, and get you going to the gym.

Prepare for Beach Season

Bikinis, tankinis and one-pieces all look great on a woman who feels great about herself. You don’t have to be 100% ‘bikini ready’ to be 100% confident in yourself. If you feel that a breast augmentation surgery, a breast lift, can put you over the edge and make this summer something special, then why not take the plunge on surgery and then buy yourself a plunging one-piece?

If you’re looking to show off a new you this summer, the best time to schedule a procedure is now. It takes about three to six weeks to recover fully from a breast surgery. Plus, the weather is still cool at this time of the year, so recovery will be more comfortable than if you schedule a surgery in the warmer months.

Schedule a consultation at Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg today to learn other ways how breast surgery can increase your love for your body.

Breast Augmentation Myths vs. Reality

Are you thinking about breast augmentation? Make sure you know the truth about the procedure. There are many breast augmentation myths out there that tend to confuse potential patients. Today, let’s debunk some of these common myths. Have heard any of the myths on our list?

Breast Augmentation Myth #1 – Breast Implants Must Be Replaced Every Ten Years

It is a common misconception that implants need to be replaced every ten years.  There is no exact expiration date when it comes to breast implants. If you are happy with your Breast Implants at 10 years and there are no problems with them then there is no reason to replace them.

Breast Augmentation Myth #2 – Silicone Implants Are Always Better than Saline

Many women have heard that silicone implants are the best. In reality, both saline and silicone implants can be a good choice. Each implant type has its unique advantages. Saline implants are available for cosmetic enhancement at a younger age (18+), while silicone implants are only recommended for women who are 22 and older. Saline implants may be able to be placed endoscopically for a smaller incision. Additionally, it is easier to spot a rupture with a saline implant. Silicone implants are lighter and, in some cases, more natural feeling. They may be more expensive than saline. We’ll help you determine which implant type best meets your needs.

Breast Augmentation Myth #3 – Breast Augmentation Can Fix Saggy Breasts

Breast augmentation increases breast size but, if you have sagging, it isn’t the complete solution. We often recommend pairing a breast lift with breast augmentation for women who have advanced breast sagging. By pairing these procedures together, we can simultaneously address size, shape, and breast position. These two procedures can be performed together to reduce downtime.

Breast Augmentation Myth #4 – You Can’t Breastfeed After Breast Augmentation

If you’re planning future children and want to breastfeed, you may be able to—even with implants. Many women go on to successfully breastfeed after breast augmentation. If you’re thinking about future breastfeeding, tell us before your surgery. Certain incision types and implant placements are more conducive to breastfeeding success.

Breast Augmentation Myth #5 – You Can Easily Spot Women with Implants

Think you can easily spot women with implants? You’re probably wrong. Odds are you know many women with breast implants … the checker at the grocery store, your child’s teacher, your aunt, your best friend! Many women have implants and you often can’t tell unless they tell you.

The key to natural looking results is choosing the right implant. During your consultation, we’ll take your anatomy (including your build, the size of your chest wall, and the amount of breast tissue you already have) into consideration to create your ideal breasts. We’ll even let you “test drive” your new implants so you can be sure you have it right.

Call us today at 540-371-7730 to schedule your breast augmentation consultation.

Important Questions to Ask During Your Breast Augmentation Consultation

When you come in for your breast augmentation consultation, we welcome questions. In fact, we encourage them. We want our patients to feel comfortable going into surgery and find that clear communication between the patient and surgeon is the best way to achieve this. Come with a list of questions prepared so you don’t forget what you want to know.

Don’t know what to ask? Here are some great questions to ask during your breast augmentation consultation.

Are You Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?

The choice of surgeon is one of the biggest factors in determining the success of your breast augmentation. Choose a surgeon that is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. We’ve got some great information about the importance of certification (and how to check if your surgeon is certified) here.

Where Will You Perform the Surgery?

Where will your surgery be performed? Here at Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg, we perform all surgeries in our accredited surgery center.

Can I See Before-and-After Photos?

Before-and-after photos can help you determine if you’ll be happy with the results of your surgery. Ask specifically for photos of patients who received a similar type implant, placement and incision to the one you’re planning. Remember, cosmetic surgeries are part surgery, but also part cosmetic. The goal is to find a great surgeon who shares similar aesthetic goals as you do.

How Will I Know I’ve Chosen the Right Size Implants?

Before surgery, you need to know that you’ll be happy with your final breast size. We use sizers to help patients “test drive” their implants so you can be sure you’ve chosen the right size.

What Type of Implants Would You Recommend?

Your anatomy, goals and preferences will play a big role in determining whether saline or silicone implants are right for you. Ask your surgeon what they would recommend. Sometimes the choice is yours, while other times, your surgeon will have a clear preference about which implant will work best for your situation.

Do I Need a Breast Lift?

Some breast augmentation patients also need a breast lift for optimal results. After an examination, we can determine if you need a lift, but in general, you may need one if your nipple is lower than the fold at the bottom of your breast.

What Should I Expect During Recovery?

Knowing what to expect during recovery can help you as you make plans and prepare for surgery. Your surgeon can explain pain management options, recovery restrictions and how long you’ll need to take off from work.  One last question to ask would be if EXPAREL® PAIN MANAGEMENT is offered. EXPAREL® is a slow-release analgesic that is injected into the new-surgical incision upon completion of the procedure. EXPAREL® can minimize post-operative pain and maximize comfort up to 72 hours.

Make your list of breast augmentation questions and then call us at 540-371-7730 to schedule your consultation.

I Want to Get Ready for Summer … What Are My Options?

Looking gorgeous all summer long doesn’t just happen by chance. It takes a bit of preparation. If you want to look amazing this summer, now’s the time to come on in and see us. We’ve offer a variety of procedures (both surgical and non-surgical) to get ready for summer from head to toe. Call us today and book your appointment.

Liposuction

If stubborn fat is getting in the way of your ideal bikini body, liposuction might be the solution. This procedure suctions away stubborn fat permanently. Liposuction works great on the abdomen, thighs, love handles, and buttocks (and many other areas too) for a beach ready body.

We offer several different types of liposuction including tumescent liposuction and laser assisted SmartLipo.  Come see if liposuction is right for you.

Breast Surgery

Would you like bigger breasts? Have you lost breast volume after pregnancy? Are you starting to sag? We offer a variety of breast surgeries to get your body ready for swimsuit season. Breast augmentation is consistently one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures and can even be combined with other breast surgeries (like a breast lift). Think of how good you’ll look this summer with a larger bikini top.

Male Breast Reduction

Enlarged breast tissue in males (gynecomastia) is an embarrassing and surprisingly common condition. Men with gynecomastia often avoid taking off their shirts (hard to do when you’re lounging by the pool) due to embarrassment over their physique. Male breast reduction can help men to regain their confidence and achieve their ideal body by removing the excess tissue. We often use liposuction and surgical removal of glandular tissue to restore a masculine shape and create a flatter, smoother chest. We can work with you to create a surgical plan specific to your needs.

Permanent Makeup

Are you sick of your makeup coming off every time you jump in the pool? This summer, look great, even when you’re wet, with permanent makeup.  This procedure implants pigment into the dermal layer of the skin using a specialized rotary pen. The results last for years. This procedure is a great option for enhancing the lips and the eyes without the need for daily makeup application.

Chemical Peel

Summer means a lot of time without makeup. Let’s get your skin looking radiant. A chemical peel can remove dead skin cells, allowing the fresh skin underneath to shine through. This treatment is great for evening out skin tone, fighting fine lines, and dealing with problem skin. It’s very safe and effective.

Are you ready for summer? Come try one (or more) of these procedures and have your most beautiful summer yet. Call Plastic Surgery Services today for your complimentary consultation at 540-371-7730!

A Breast Lift Can Be the Right Procedure for You

Have your breasts lost their youthful spunk? Do they hang and sag more than you’d like? Give yourself a little “perk” me up with a breast lift. We are pleased to offer this confidence restoring procedure in our Northern Virginia offices to bring women the youthful boost to both their bust and their confidence.

What Causes Breast Sagging?

Pregnancy, nursing, gravity, and aging all take their toll on the breast tissue. Breasts that were once firm, rounded, and perky can become droopy, saggy and misshapen. Sagging is caused by having too much skin for the amount of breast volume you possess. We can remove excess skin and shape and reform your existing breast tissue with a breast lift. We can also add volume with a breast implant while also lifting sagging tissue by combining breast lift surgery with a breast augmentation.

Breast Lift Options

When it comes to a breast lift, each body has different needs. The degree of lifting required can vary substantially from patient to patient. The areola may need to be moved, and in some cases resized. Some women want to simply firm and reshape their existing breast tissue while others want to add more volume through an implant. Asymmetrical breasts can often be corrected during breast lift surgery. If you’re considering a breast lift come in for a consultation and we’ll help you decide which options may work best for your body type and desires.

Breast Lift as Part of a Mommy Makeover

As much as you love your children, bringing them into the world can certainly take its toll on your body. A mommy makeover combines a variety of different surgical procedures to help you restore your body after childbirth. Many women choose to include a breast lift as part of their mommy makeover. Other popular procedures include tummy tucks and breast augmentation. If you’re done having children and want a breast lift, you may want to consider a mommy makeover to get all of your needed cosmetic enhancements done in one day.

Breast Lift Recovery- What Should I Expect?

Our breast lift patients are often pleasantly surprised by their quick and comfortable recovery periods after surgery. Most patients return to their regular activities (wait a little longer to resume vigorous exercise) in less than a week. We provide pain control medication during the healing process, but many patients find that this is only needed on a limited basis. We use dissolving sutures to maximize your comfort and convenience. We’ll give you specific instructions regarding recovery at your consultation appointment and before surgery.

Lift your confidence and your sagging breasts with a breast lift. Contact our offices for a consultation today!