Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

This is Channel 7 News – Good Morning Arkansas

First up, Dr. Rhys Branman is here on the show to discuss the advantages of combining a breast lift with augmentation and to help determine who’s a good candidate for one or the other. It’s a fascinating topic, and he’ll have all the latest information, so if you’ve been considering these options, Dr. Rhys is up first on our show today. After this short break, we’ll be sharing the advantages of combining a breast lift and augmentation into one surgery—stay with us!

Welcome Back!
Dr. Rhys Branman is here to tell us more about the benefits of combining a breast lift and augmentation into a single surgery. Good morning, Dr. Rhys!

Dr. Branman:
Good morning!

Host:
You’re with the Cosmetic Surgery Center, and this is something people are really interested in. So, is combining a breast lift and augmentation a new approach?

Dr. Branman:
Well, breast lifts and augmentations have both been around for a long time, but combining them in one procedure is relatively new. Traditionally, these were done as two separate procedures. Many doctors were initially reluctant to combine them because it was challenging to control the implant’s positioning and to fully understand how best to perform both steps in one surgery. But now, with improved techniques, we’re seeing excellent results from doing them together.

Host:
Why might a woman choose just a breast lift instead of augmentation?

Dr. Branman:
Most women seek a breast lift after losing volume due to childbirth, weight loss, or simply with age, as the breast naturally loses volume and sags over time. A breast lift moves the nipple and areola to a higher, more youthful position. When combined with augmentation, we add fullness to the upper pole of the breast, where women often lose volume. The result is a fuller, lifted look that restores both shape and position.

Host:
Tell us more about the combined procedure. Is the recovery period longer?

Dr. Branman:
No, actually, it’s the same as for a standard augmentation. You’re getting both procedures done in a single surgery under one anesthesia session, which allows us to control the results very precisely. Plus, it’s only one healing period, with no additional downtime compared to doing them separately.

Host:
So, for women thinking about this, what are the main advantages of combining the procedures?

Dr. Branman:
The primary advantage is a single recovery period. You’re combining both procedures, so there’s only one surgery, one anesthesia, and one period of healing. This streamlines the process and gives patients a complete result with less overall downtime.

Host:
Do you look for certain characteristics in a patient to decide if they’re a good candidate for one or both procedures?

Dr. Branman:
Yes, let me demonstrate. If a woman’s nipple-areola complex sits low on the breast, that’s generally a sign that a lift is needed. A lift alone will raise the nipple but won’t add fullness to the upper part of the breast, which some women want. By combining a lift with an implant, we achieve that upper-pole fullness and a more youthful contour.

Host:
I imagine technology has also helped improve this process over the years.

Dr. Branman:
Absolutely. We now perform what’s called a vertical mastopexy, which minimizes scarring. We no longer need the traditional large anchor incision, so the result is a very natural, lifted look with less visible scarring.

Host:
I understand there’s a special going on through the spring?

Dr. Branman:
Yes, we’re calling it “The Breast Special Ever”—a little corny, but it’s been popular! It’s $3,900 for saline implants and $4,900 for silicone implants. Both saline and silicone can be used with this combined procedure, but silicone is often chosen because it offers a softer, more natural feel that’s gentle on healing tissues.

Host:
And it’s still just one recovery period, correct?

Dr. Branman:
Yes, just one recovery period, with no more discomfort or time off work than if you did each procedure separately. With our rapid recovery approach, many patients are up and moving around the same day, and back to work by the second or third day. Typically, patients can return to basic activities within three to five days.

Host:
Great information! For those interested in a consultation with Dr. Branman, you can contact him at the Cosmetic Surgery Center on Executive Center Drive in Little Rock. Call 227-0707 to schedule an appointment, or visit littlerockcosmeticsurgery.com for more details. And don’t forget to ask about “The Breast Special Ever”! Dr. Branman, thanks so much for joining us today.

Dr. Branman:
Thank you, and have a great rest of your morning!

Hey y’all, it’s April, registered nurse here again. Just a reminder to go back and watch the general surgery video if you haven’t yet—it has essential information for any surgery here. Today, we’re going over a mastopexy, or breast lift.

The items you’ll need at home include your prescribed medications, which you’ll receive at your pre-op. These typically include an antibiotic, pain medication, nausea medication, and possibly Flexeril for muscle spasms. You’ll also receive Sinec, a homeopathic Arnica medication that helps with bruising and swelling after surgery. Take a pre-op dose with dinner the night before surgery, a post-op dose after surgery, and another dose at bedtime. After that, you’ll take it three times a day. Make sure to fully complete the Sinec and antibiotic courses.

If you’re 35 or older, you’ll need a mammogram before surgery, along with lab work (CBC, CMP, PT with INR) for general anesthesia. Have hydrogen peroxide and distilled water ready to clean your incision sites; we’ll let you know when to start at your post-op appointment. Please avoid using lotion on the morning of surgery, as Dr. Branman will need to mark your breasts, and we don’t want the markings to come off. Wear a loose, button-up or zip-up top that’s easy to put on after surgery. You’ll also be in a post-operative bra for about four weeks.

If you live more than 30 minutes away, bring a pain pill and nausea medication with you on the day of surgery, just in case you need them for the ride home.

After surgery, you’ll restart your antibiotic and Sinec with a light meal to avoid nausea. For the first two days, sleep in a semi-sitting position—either propped up on pillows in bed or in a recliner. You’ll come back for a follow-up the next day so we can check everything. If you’re traveling from far away, you may want to book a hotel nearby.

After that first follow-up, you can shower. Let water trickle down your breasts instead of standing directly under the shower head, especially if you have hard water pressure. You’ll have white tape on your breasts, shaped around your nipple with a line down the center. This tape should stay on until we remove it, usually around one to two weeks after surgery. If it starts to come off, use a blow dryer on the cool setting to pat it down, or call us if it needs replacing. Never use heat on the blow dryer, as you may be numb in that area.

You’ll be wearing a surgical bra at all times for about a month. After your incisions heal, you can start using scar treatments like Vitamin E or SkinMedica’s scar gel, which we have available. Avoid any strenuous activity for four weeks, including lifting, pushing, pulling, or straining. For the first week, don’t lift anything over 10 pounds, and for the next three weeks, avoid lifting over 20 pounds. Discontinue exercise, weightlifting, or running until after four weeks.

If you experience significant pain in one breast with swelling around the collarbone or dark purple bruising, call us immediately. For those who also received implants, the bottom of the breast might appear irregular or flat at first but will gradually settle. Avoid sun exposure to the incision sites for 12 months to prevent hyperpigmentation. Continue your monthly self-breast exams, and inform the technician of your breast surgery at your next mammogram.

No underwire bras during recovery—only wear the surgical bra we provide. You can resume driving about 72 hours after surgery or 24 hours after your last pain pill. Don’t drive while taking pain medication.

Though you’ve had a breast lift, it’s still important to wear a bra regularly to maintain support, and wearing a sleep bra can help prevent sagging over time. It may take six months to a year for your breasts to fully settle into their final shape.

For lifts with implants, remember not to breastfeed for six months after surgery. All tissue removed during the procedure will be sent to pathology to ensure it’s free of any cancerous cells.

Avoid tub baths, lakes, pools, or oceans for four to six weeks; stick to showers only. That’s about it! We look forward to seeing you at your pre-op. If you have any questions, jot them down, and we’ll be happy to answer them. Thanks, guys!