Breast Lift

Breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, age, and other normal processes take an inevitable toll on the breasts. Over time, many women find that their breasts begin to droop and sag. Breast lift surgery is designed to give the breasts a perkier, more youthful size and shape. A good breast lift helps a woman look and feel younger and more attractive. In many cases, patients whose breasts have lost volume and forward projection choose to combine breast lift with breast augmentation.

At our practice in St. George located near Las Vegas, breast lift surgery is typically performed using an anchor incision. This incision wraps around the nipple, then runs along the bottom of the breast and the inframammary fold. Excess skin and tissue are removed at the location of the incision, and the nipple is relocated so that it sits higher on the breast. Finally, the incision is closed, leaving the breast raised up pleasingly on the chest.

Breast lift patients should always be prepared for the recovery period. It is important to plan ahead and take at least a week off from work. During the first two weeks after surgery, patients frequently experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Any discomfort can be controlled with medication. Some patients also experience temporary numbness in the nipple.

Patients will need to wear a special compression garment to control swelling and speed the healing process, and it is important to avoid sleeping on the stomach until swelling has diminished. It may take a month or more for swelling and numbness to fade, revealing the final breast lift results. Patients will visit us in St. George, near Las Vegas, for regular checkups during this time.

Breast Reduction

Breasts that are very large cause both aesthetic and functional problems. Over time, women with oversized breasts frequently suffer from posture problems, back and neck pain, and deep shoulder indentations from bra straps. In addition, they may feel insecure about their appearance. The answer, for many of these women, is breast reduction. Our St. George practice is ideally located for Las Vegas residents and others in the area who want to explore breast reduction surgery.

Dr. Rhodes typically uses an anchor-shaped breast reduction incision, which travels around the nipple, down to the base of the breast, and along the inframammary fold. This incision allows him to remove excess skin from the bottom half of the breast. In many cases, Dr. Rhodes also uses liposuction to remove fatty tissue from inside the breast. After removing the appropriate tissue, Dr. Rhodes relocates the nipple and closes the incisions to create a smaller, perkier breast that will feel more comfortable and fit the patient's body better.

After surgery, breast reduction patients should plan to go through a recovery period. Most patients can return to work after about two weeks, once their stitches are removed. It is important to wear a specialized surgical bra for several weeks after surgery. It is also important to avoid heavy lifting during this time.

Some breast reduction patients experience pain or tenderness during menstrual periods for a few months after surgery. Full healing may take six months or more, but Dr. Rhodes' breast reduction patients from St. George, Las Vegas, and surrounding communities are almost always pleased with the final results of the procedure.