Do you feel like you look older than you are because your breasts are no longer as lifted as they once were? Do you feel like pregnancy and nursing have taken a toll on your body, negatively affecting your contours? Do you wish your breasts looked perkier? If so, a breast lift at Manuel Gigena MD Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ may be appropriate for you. Read on to discover how long the results of this procedure will last to help you decide if it’s right for you.
How Long Does a Breast Lift Last?
You can generally expect the results of a breast lift to last between 10 and 15 years. However, there are a number of factors that affect how long you will be able to enjoy your ideal results. For example, your results may fade faster if you are older because the supportive structures in your skin that keep it tight are produced at a reduced rate as you age. Exposure to UV light, alcohol consumption, and exposure to the chemicals in tobacco products can also sag your skin prematurely.
What Can I Do To Extend My Results?
Besides minimizing your exposure to UV rays, not consuming tobacco products, and not drinking an excessive amount of alcohol, there are several effective steps you can take to extend the longevity of your results. For example, if you do a decent job of maintaining your weight, there is a smaller chance that your skin will start to sag again prematurely. If you gain a lot of weight in your breasts and subsequently lose it, the supportive structures in your skin will weaken.
Keeping your skin hydrated will also help to keep your breasts looking youthful. Make sure you drink plenty of hydrating fluids every day and moisturize your skin daily. If you have dry skin, apply lotion twice daily. You should also keep the proteins that support your skin strong and healthy by eating plenty of vitamin C and protein. Elastin and collagen are vital for keeping your skin looking young, and you need an abundance of amino acids to produce these proteins.
How Long Will My Recovery Take?
It will take your skin several weeks to recover from your procedure, but you may not need to take much time off from work. If your job requires you to sit at a desk, you can return to work in just three to five days. If your job requires lots of bending, twisting, and lifting, you should know that you may need to spend much more time off from work unless your duties can be modified temporarily.
For approximately four to six weeks after your surgery, you should not do anything physically strenuous. For example, you should not lift heavy weights, run long distances, or try to beat your best time in the pool. If you can’t sing or easily hold a conversation while exercising, your intensity is too high, and you need to bring it down.
Can I Do Anything To Shorten My Recovery?
For the smoothest recovery possible, you should listen to your body and follow all of the post-operative guidelines. Whenever you feel groggy, take a nap. Your skin requires a lot of energy to heal itself from the incisions made to lift your breasts. Also, it is extremely common to feel groggy during the first one to three days after surgery due to the anesthesia administered. It is also important that you eat plenty of nutritious foods to fuel your recovery.
In addition to napping when you feel you need to, you should do your best to sleep for nine hours in a row every night. Go to bed at a decent hour at the same time every night, and do not set any alarms. If sunlight streaming in through your window wakes you up early in the morning, use blackout curtains to keep the light out or wear a sleep mask.
What Else Can I Do To Shorten My Recovery?
Besides getting plenty of quality sleep and eating nutritiously, it is extremely important that you stay hydrated. You may want to snack on some fruits or veggies if you feel like you’re drinking tons of water but your urine is dark. Also, you may want to take a look at how much sodium you’re getting in your diet. Too much salt can make your blood pressure too high, but adding a little more salt to your diet may help you retain the water you consume, improving your hydration.
Moreover, it is important that you do not consume alcohol or nicotine during the two weeks following your procedure. This, like vigorous exercise and excessive sodium, can increase your blood pressure. Furthermore, you should take all medications as prescribed and avoid taking blood-thinning drugs and supplements. For example, you will need to take a full course of antibiotics as directed and avoid taking NSAIDs, multi-vitamins, or vitamin E supplements.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
To find out whether you are a good breast lift candidate, you need to attend an initial evaluation with a cosmetic surgeon. Generally, women who are dissatisfied with the lift of their breasts qualify. However, Dr. Manuel Gigena needs to meet with you to discuss your aesthetic goals and health to verify the efficacy and safety of this procedure for you.
To qualify for this procedure, it is important that you are in relatively good overall health. It is also important that you have a strong support system at home to take care of you during the early stages of your recovery. Moreover, you need to have realistic expectations about the results. During your initial consultation, we will advise you on what results you can realistically expect, how to prepare for your procedure, what you can expect during your recovery, and more.
How Should I Prepare for My Procedure?
There are a number of preparation steps you must take prior to your breast lift, not the least of which is not smoking. It is important to avoid the consumption of nicotine and alcohol in the weeks leading up to your procedure for the sake of your circulatory system. Your blood pressure must be normal at the time of your appointment. It is also vital that you don’t take any blood-thinners or anti-coagulants.
Arranging for someone to drive you home is another important preparation step. Regardless of whether you are given local anesthesia and a sedative or general anesthesia, it will not be safe for you to drive. Also, you should be aware that you may need to fast for eight hours prior to your surgery. If you can’t fast due to uncontrolled diabetes or another condition, general anesthesia will not be appropriate for you.
Will I Be Able To Drink Water Before My Procedure?
Yes, you will be able to drink water before your lift even if you will receive general anesthesia to keep you calm and comfortable. However, you will not be able to drink anything during the two hours immediately preceding your surgery. Therefore, if there is any medication you need to take with water, you will need to take it at least two hours prior to your lift.
Note, you don’t have to drink only still water. Unsweetened tea, clear pulp-free juice, and sparkling water can also hydrate you and keep you feeling full during your fast.
What Other Procedures Could Improve My Appearance?
During your breast lift, a significant amount of excess skin may be removed. Sometimes, women who undergo this procedure have so much skin removed that they need to buy bras that are half of a cup or a full cup smaller than they used to buy. If you are happy with your current cup size, you may need a lift with augmentation. If you feel like your breasts are too large, you may benefit from a breast reduction in addition to your lift.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
You should not be surprised if you do not need a follow-up breast lift for 10 to 15 years after your first procedure. However, it is difficult to say for sure how long your ideal results will last because so many factors affect the rate at which skin sags. If you think lifting your breasts will make you feel more self-confident, contact us today at Manuel Gigena MD Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ, to schedule your initial consultation. We can’t wait to help you boost your self-esteem.
