Palm Beach Breast Lift Specialist
Dr. Kevin E. Shaw

Dr. Shaw is a highly respected Palm Beach plastic surgery specialist with extensive training in breast lift procedures.  In the paragraphs below, Dr. Shaw details the breast lift procedure and how it has helped West Palm Beach breast lift patients enjoy a more youthful and elevated bustline.

Sometimes, after pregnancy or weight loss, the breasts may lose volume and sag. These patients are candidates for breast lifts, with or without implants, depending on patient preference. This is also an outpatient procedure. The breast lift does require that more extensive incisions be placed on the breast than with simple enlargement, and you must discuss this in detail with Dr. Shaw preoperatively.

A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts.  As a woman ages, skin loses some elasticity which can cause the breasts to lose their natural shape and firmness.  This procedure is designed to elevate the breasts and give them a more youthful appearance.  A breast lift may also be completed in conjunction with breast enlargement surgery (augmentation).

Reasons for Considering a Breast Lift:

• Elevate the breasts due to sagging caused by the effects of aging and gravity.
• Firm the breasts if they have lost substance due to pregnancy and subsequent breast-feeding.
• Re-align your nipples/areolas if they point down or to the side.
• Bring back natural suppleness after weight loss.

General Procedure

The breast lift surgical procedure usually takes one and a half to three hours.  Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-like incision along the underside of the breast.  The incision goes around the area where skin will be removed, thus defining how the nipple will be relocated.  When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved into a higher position.  The skin surrounding the areola is brought down and together to reshape the breast.

Some patients, especially those with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions.  One such procedure is the "doughnut (or concentric) mastopexy" in which circular incisions are made around the areola and a doughnut-shaped area of skin is removed.  Recent innovations in breast lift techniques include minimal incision techniques and nipple sensation reducing procedures.

If the patient is having an implant inserted along with the breast lift, the implant will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue or under the muscle of the chest wall.

Recovery Process

Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time.  Bandages are applied right after surgery to aid the healing process and to minimize movement of the breasts.   Once the bandages are removed, the patient will need to wear a specialized surgical bra for several weeks.  Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with surgery which can be treated with oral medication.  While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the post-operative directions given by the surgeon.

At his renowned Palm Beach cosmetic surgery practice, Dr. Shaw also performs breast augmentation, breast reduction, rhinoplasty, liposuction, and tummy tuck procedures. In many cases, Palm Beach breast lift patients choose to combine a number of these procedures. Please visit these procedure pages to learn about rhinoplasty, liposuction, tummy tuck, (abdominoplasty) and breast augmentation. Dr. Shaw serves patients from Palm Beach, Coral Springs and throughout South Florida. 

Serving Boca Raton and Palm Beach plastic surgery patients, Dr. Kevin Shaw is a renowned plastic surgeon. He has helped Palm Beach breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, facelift, and tummy tuck patients achieve beautiful and natural results. Dr. Shaw also performs many other surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures from his plastic surgery offices, offering his plastic surgery Palm Beach patients the highest degree of care.

899 Meadows Road
Boca Raton, FL 33486
Phone: (561) 338-3637