Am I a good candidate for a breast lift?
You may be a good candidate for breast lift surgery if you have one or more of the following conditions:
Breasts that are pendulous, but of satisfactory size.
Breasts that lack substance or firmness.
Nipples and areolas that point downward, especially if they are positioned below the breast crease.

What to Expect at Your Consultation:
The staff at our hospital understands that it can be very difficult for a patient to make enquiries about such a delicate matter. Our caring and supportive staffs are more than happy to help you make the necessary arrangements for an appointment for you to see Dr. Viral Desai. It is their aim to make you feel as relaxed, comfortable and fully informed about the procedure as possible. Please do not hesitate to ask the staff for any assistance. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance at Our Plastic Surgery Centre.
Strictest care is taken to ensure your privacy. During your consultation with Dr. Viral Desai he will ask you about your desired breast shape and your expectations of the breast surgery. He will then evaluate the information, and decide whether the results you want can be realistically achieved. Pre-operative photographs will be taken at the consultation. You will need to inform Dr. Viral Desai of your medical history, including medications you may be currently taking, if you have had prior breast surgery, lumps or cysts removed, breast biopsies or if you intend to lose weight or have recently experienced weight loss or any serious illnesses. If you have had any previous mammograms, please bring all relevant information to the consultation.
Dr. Viral Desai will also need to know if you are intending to have children in the future and want to be able to breast-feed. A thorough examination of your breasts will take place, and measurements taken. He will examine the skin elasticity and texture, and will check the position of your nipples and areolas. You should expect to be with Dr. Viral Desai for at least 30 minutes.

An implant may also be covered by your hospital insurance. Schedules for refunds vary depending on the reason for having the surgery. If you are having the surgery purely for "cosmetic" reasons the costs incurred will be greater.

Where are the Incisions Placed?
These will vary according to the method used. Commonly, a Breast Uplift requires the incisions to be made around the areola, down the breast and horizontally along the natural curve of the crease underneath the breast. When Dr. Viral Desai has removed the excess skin and fat from the breast the nipple and areola are repositioned and closed with sutures. The locations of the incisions however depend on the size of your breast and its contour. You may be an appropriate candidate for a minimal scar method. Stitches are removed over a 2-week period post-operatively.

Pre-Operative Preparation:
• Dr. Viral Desai may ask you to have a Mammogram prior to your surgery.
• A Betadine wash should be applied to the chest and armpit area after showering two weeks prior to surgery.
• Smoking should be ceased 2 weeks prior to surgery (including nicotine patches).
• Any blood thinning tablets (i.e. disprin/aspirin) or vitamins should be ceased two weeks prior to surgery.
• Fasting is required 7 hours prior to surgery. If you would like help in obtaining a bra please do not hesitate to speak to the wound   care manager or patient care co-ordinator, who will assist you. These can be purchased from Advanced Skin Care Technology.

Risks, Complications and Side Effects:
Breast uplift surgery is a safe procedure that has been performed on thousands of women with very rewarding results. However you should be aware of the risks and complications before proceeding with surgery. Dr. Viral Desai will discuss these in detail with you at your  consultation. They including:
• Wound infection - treated with antibiotics
• Bruising and swelling- this will subside in a couple of weeks
• Bleeding from the wound sites
• Scars which take longer to fade and become thickened
• Loss of sensation in the nipple area may occur, however this is rare and will subside in time
• Sometimes the breast may not be symmetrical or the nipples may vary in height.
• Some patients may notice lumps in their breasts, which are an accumulation of blood, or dead fat
  cells, which are taking a longer period of time to heal.

What to Expect on the day of Surgery:
The patient care co-ordinator will give you an admission time, which is usually 1-2 hours prior to surgery. You will have fasted for 7 hours prior to surgery.

Your New Look:
Your surgeon will make every effort to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible. Still, it's important to remember that mastopexy scars are extensive and permanent. They often remain lumpy and red for months, then gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually fading to thin white lines. Fortunately, the scars can usually be placed so that you can wear even low-cut tops.

You should also keep in mind that a breast lift won't keep you firm forever--the effects of gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight fluctuations will eventually take their toll again. Women who have implants along with their breast lift may find the results last longer.Your satisfaction with a breast lift is likely to be greater if you understand the procedure thoroughly and if your expectations are realistic.