Breast Lift / Breast Reduction
in Las Vegas, NV
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Why Should I Choose Dr. Minoli for My Breast Lift or Breast Reduction?
Dr. John Minoli offers you years of trusted experience and a range of procedure options for beautifying your breasts. He is triple board-certified in aesthetic surgery and has treated thousands of patients over his 20+ year career.
As modern medicine offers safer operative choices and techniques for breast reshaping, Dr. Minoli continues to adapt his practice accordingly through extensive continued surgical education and experience.
A personal consultation with Dr. Minoli may help you further understand whether breast lifting, breast reduction, or even a combination of breast augmentation with lifting surgery is right for you.
Am I a Candidate for Breast Lift or Breast Reduction?
Breast lifting, breast reduction, or combined breast lifting and augmentation surgery is common worldwide. These operations restore shape and beauty to sagging (and sometimes heavy) mammary glands.
Restorative breast surgery can be performed at any age, but Dr. Minoli recommends waiting until breast development has stopped. Additionally, pregnancy and breastfeeding may impact the size and shape of your breasts; however, you may decide to undergo breast lift, breast reduction, or combined breast lift/augmentation surgery before having children and then deal with post-pregnancy changes later on.
Since the milk ducts and nipples are often left intact, breast lift, breast reduction, or combined breast lift/augmentation surgery will usually not negate your ability to breastfeed. Nevertheless, this should be discussed further during your formal consultation.
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Candidacy for Breast Lift Surgery
One or more of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for breast lifting (mastopexy) surgery:
- Your breasts are pendulous but of satisfactory size.
- Your breasts lack substance or firmness.
- Your nipples and areolar complexes point downward and may be below your breast crease (inframammary fold).
- Your breasts have developed differently so that one breast is firm and well-positioned while the other is not (possibly due to heredity).
- Your breasts are different in size and shape (possibly due to heredity).
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Candidacy for Breast Reduction Surgery
One or more of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty):
- Your breasts are too large in proportion to your body frame.
- Your breasts are heavy and pendulous.
- Your nipples and areolar complexes point downward, even below your breast crease (inframammary fold).
- One breast is much larger than the other (possibly due to heredity).
- Back, neck, or shoulder pain is caused by the weight of your breasts.
- You have skin irritation beneath your breasts.
- You have indentations in your shoulders from tight bra straps.
- Some of your physical activities are restricted due to the size and weight of your breasts.
- You are dissatisfied or self-conscious about the overly large size of your breasts.
How Is Breast Lift / Breast Reduction Performed?
Restorative breast surgery incorporates a variety of designs, known as donut mastopexy, lollipop mastopexy, inverted-T mastopexy, circumareolar mammaplasty, lollipop reduction mammaplasty, or Wise-keyhole pattern reduction mammoplasty.
For your comfort and safety, general anesthesia is administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist, and Dr. Minoli will perform these procedures at an accredited surgery center adjacent to his office. All incisions are expertly sutured for a meticulous final closure.
Breast Lift Surgery
Loss of skin elasticity, gravity (and other factors such as weight loss, pregnancy, and breastfeeding) can ultimately affect the position, shape, and firmness of the breasts. Patients who are generally satisfied with the size of their breasts can have a breast lift to raise and mold their shape.
Incision patterns used for breast lifts include:
- Circular surrounding the nipple’s round areola (circumareolar or donut mastopexy)
- Circular with an attached vertical line descending from the round areola (lollipop mastopexy)
- Circular with an attached inverted-T descending from the round areola (anchor mastopexy)
Most patients focus on the incisions, which makes sense because those patterns become visible scars. But the incisions are much more than that. These patterns provide critical access points to the deep inner breast, allowing for the reshaping of the outer breast.
A consultation with Dr. Minoli will help you better understand these highly individualized choices.
After Dr. Minoli has removed excess breast skin, the nipple and areolar complex are shifted to a higher position. The areolar complex can be reduced in size, and the central components of the nipple and its areolar complex are simultaneously moved upward. This combination of maneuvers helps to reshape the breast.
The nipples and areolar complexes remain attached to underlying mounds of tissue, which usually allows for the preservation of sensation and the ability to breastfeed (although this cannot be guaranteed). Liposuction may be used to improve the adjacent contours.
There are many variations to the design of the incisions for breast lift surgery. The size and shape of your breasts, the size of your areolar complexes, and the extent of breast sag help Dr. Minoli to determine the best technique for you.
Breast Reduction Surgery
The most common method of reducing the breasts involves three incisions:
- One incision courses around the areolar complex.
- A second incision runs vertically from the bottom edge of the areolar complex to the crease underneath the breast.
- A third incision traverses horizontally beneath the breast, following the natural curve of the breast crease.
As previously exhibited, different patterns of incisions can be used depending on individual conditions.
After Dr. Minoli has removed the excess breast glands, fat, and skin, the nipple and its areolar complex are shifted to a higher position. The areolar complex can be reduced in size.
The nipples and areolar complexes remain attached to underlying mounds of tissue, which usually allows for the preservation of sensation and the ability to breastfeed (although this cannot be guaranteed). Liposuction may be used to improve the adjacent contours.
There are many variations to the design of the incisions for breast reduction surgery. The size and shape of your breasts, the size of your areolar complexes, the extent of breast sag, and the desired amount of reduction, are factors that will help Dr. Minoli to determine the best technique for you.
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Should I Combine My Breast Lift or Breast Reduction With Any Other Surgeries?
Women commonly undergo a combined breast lift and augmentation. These patients may be unhappy with their small breast size and sagging tissues. Combined breast lifting and augmentation can increase breast size while improving breast position.
How Long Is Breast Lift or Breast Reduction Recovery?
Recovery varies greatly among individuals. You will return to Dr. Minoli’s office regularly so that your postoperative progress can be properly evaluated.
Breast Lift or Breast Reduction Recovery Week By Week
First few days: You will be encouraged to get out of bed for short walks to promote blood circulation starting the day after your surgery. Straining, bending, and lifting must be avoided since these activities may cause increased swelling or bleeding.
You may need personal assistance during the first few days. A full shower or bath is usually permissible 2 or 3 days after your restorative breast surgery.
Your dressings will be removed in the days following surgery so that Dr. Minoli can examine the treated areas. You will be advised to wear a supportive bra and instructed to sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees.
Sometimes, small temporary drain tubes may be placed in the breasts under the bandages. These drains can help prevent the accumulation of postsurgical fluids in the breasts and are usually removed the first day after surgery.
First week:
Depending on the extent of your breast surgery and your general physical condition, you may be able to return to non-strenuous work anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks after surgery.
Your breasts may be tender, but this usually subsides later in the first week. As the first week progresses, so will your sense of independence. Stitches will be removed in 5 to 10 days.
Week 2: Bruising and swelling should subside significantly. Additionally, driving privileges will likely resume.
Weeks 3 to 5: You can resume most of your everyday activities, including some form of mild exercise, after a few weeks. You may continue to experience mild periodic discomfort and swelling during this time, but severe pain should be reported. Any vigorous and sexual activities should be avoided for at least 3 weeks.
Week 6: It takes about 6 weeks after surgery to pass social scrutiny. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait up to 1 year to see the final results of your breast surgery. However, you are likely to begin enjoying the initial stages of your new appearance within a few weeks of surgery.
Incisions will initially be red or pink and may appear to worsen before they fade. There may also be numbness in some areas, which may take months before the feeling returns.
Ancient arts are the healing arts, and he is a true artist.
When Will I See My Breast Lift or Breast Reduction Results, and Are They Permanent?
The results of your breast surgery may be dramatic or subtle, depending on how you looked before surgery and the specific goals that you and Dr. Minoli establish. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least several weeks before being able to appreciate your “new look.” Modest changes may continue to occur over several months to a year.
When healing is accomplished, breast lifting, breast reduction, or combined breast lift/augmentation surgery will have re-positioned your breasts and enhanced their shape. It may take some time to adjust to your new body image, but you will likely feel a boost in self-confidence as you progress in your healing.
Still, it is important to remember that various healing factors may prolong the final result. Fluid retention and prolonged swelling are typical in the months following surgery. The healing process is gradual, so you should expect to wait a while before fully enjoying the outcome. Nevertheless, the results of your surgery should be long lasting unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight or become pregnant.
Scars will fade over time. Most incisions heal nicely, but some scars are more noticeable. Fortunately, breast lifting, breast reduction, and combined breast lift/augmentation surgery scars are usually concealed by natural body creases and can be covered with clothing. Occasionally, a touch-up revision may be desired to improve a contour or a scar. The additional treatment can usually be performed under local anesthesia in Dr. Minoli’s office.
Breast Lift or Breast Reduction FAQ
How should I prepare for breast lifting, breast reduction, or a combined breast lift/augmentation?
We want your surgical experience to be as easy and comfortable as possible.
You will be asked to stop smoking and stop taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and an array of supplements (such as fish oil, flaxseed oil, garlic supplements, green tea, and vitamin E) well in advance of surgery. These can increase bleeding.
In certain instances, Dr. Minoli may recommend that you have a baseline mammogram before your surgery and another mammographic examination some months after surgery. This will help to detect typical postoperative changes in your breast tissue.
Breast lifting, breast reduction, or combined breast lift/augmentation surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. Even though surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, you will need someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you that first postoperative night.
What will the day of my breast lift or breast reduction surgery be like?
Your breast lifting, breast reduction, or combined breast lift/augmentation surgery may be performed in a hospital or a free-standing ambulatory facility. Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Dr. Minoli and your anesthesiologist will determine what type of anesthesia will be used: intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. For your safety during the operation, various monitors are used to check your blood pressure, pulse, and circulating oxygen.
When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area, where you will continue to be closely monitored. If you experience discomfort, this can be controlled by medication. After a few hours of recovery room monitoring, you will likely be permitted to go home. On request, some patients stay overnight in the hospital or postoperative-care facility. Dr. Minoli and his staff will help guide you in these preparations.
Does insurance cover breast lifting or breast reduction?
Breast lifting, breast reduction, or combined breast lift/augmentation surgery are typically cosmetic procedures and, as such, are not covered by most insurance companies.
However, insurance coverage may be available under certain circumstances of overly enlarged breasts and accompanying symptoms. Many factors determine your eligibility for coverage, including the specific terms of your insurance policy. A letter of predetermination may be required by your insurance company before surgery.
What are the risks of breast lifting, breast reduction, or combined breast lift/breast augmentation surgery?
The subject of surgery risks and potential complications is best discussed personally with Dr. Minoli and his staff. Fortunately, significant complications from breast lifting, breast reduction, or combined breast lift/augmentation surgery are uncommon.
Still, potential risks exist, which include the following:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Bruising
- Prolonged discoloration
- Swelling, numbness
- Reactions to anesthesia
- Contour irregularities
- Fluid collections
- Tissue loss
- Need for further surgery
- Unsatisfactory overall results
Minor irregularities can sometimes arise (when incisions have not healed in an ideal way, when contour irregularities arise in the healing process, when the breasts are not perfectly symmetrical, or when nipple height varies somewhat from side to side), but office-based postoperative treatments are usually available to help minimize these problems if they occur.
Contact Dr. Minoli to Start Restorative Breast Surgery Process
If you are looking to improve your breast contour using breast lifting, breast reduction, or a combination procedure, contact Minoli Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada, to learn more about your options. Call us today at (702) 459-3223 (FACE).
Please remember that the relationship with our staff does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery or need additional information, please contact us.
Supported by a
Dedicated and Skilled Team
Even with Dr. Minoli’s accomplishments and training, he couldn’t do this without his dedicated team, led by his wife, Anita. Together, they have built a family practice based on compassionate and personalized plastic surgery care.
Contact Dr. Minoli and
His Team in Las Vegas, NV
If you are interested in face, nose, or body surgery with Dr. Minoli, contact our office by calling (702) 459-3223 or filling out our online contact form.
