Breast Lift
What is a Breast Lift?
Types of Breast Lifts
Why a Breast Lift?
What Conditions Are a Breast Lift a Solution to?
Steps to getting your procedure
Frequently Asked Questions
Cost of Procedure
Procedure

Breast Lift

Mastopexy, or breast lift, is a cosmetic surgery that lifts breasts that have begun to sag over time for a selection of reasons. These may include age, pregnancy, nursing, heredity, gravity, or weight loss. The mastopexy is not meant to change the size of the breasts but is commonly conducted with augmentation (implants) or reduction surgeries to alter the size. Immediately after the surgery, the breasts will appear firmer, younger, and have a perkier shape.

What is a Breast Lift?

Breast tissues may sag or lose elasticity over time due to old age, genetics, pregnancy, lactation, gravitational pull, or significant weight loss. Breast lift surgery, also called mastopexy, counteracts the problem by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissues. Not only does a breast lift surgery tighten the breast muscles, but it also addresses breast asymmetry and other imperfections. Results can be noticed immediately, but breast lift surgery carries certain potential risks like any other surgical procedure.  

During a breast lift surgery, your surgeon will likely take the following corrective measures: 

  • Lift your breasts higher 

  • Make your breasts symmetrical with each other 

  • Reduce the areolar size and make the nipples protrude forward instead of hanging downward 

  • Remove extra loose skin 

  • Reshape the breast for a rounder appearance 

  • Tighten breast tissues to provide enhanced support to the areola and nipples 

It is a common misperception that breast lift surgery is undergone solely for aesthetic reasons. It can also be performed to correct the following physical imperfections: 

  • Areolas facing downward 

  • Nipples pointing in different directions 

  • Breast asymmetry 

  • Hunched back due to heavy breasts


Before the procedure

The breast lift surgery procedure starts with a consultative meeting. In this meeting, you would discuss your surgical goals, your past and current health record, allergies, previous surgeries, and mammogram results. Your surgeon would also ask if you had a family history of breast cancer. Also, your surgeon will adjust your current medication according to the procedure requirements. 

Before starting the procedure, your surgeon will take the following steps: 

  • Examine and measure breasts 

  • Outline the area with a marker 

  • Take pictures of your breasts 

  • Review your options for the surgery and make the necessary recommendations 

  • Talk about anesthesia to relieve pain and discuss the potential risks of the surgery 

As a preparatory measure, your surgeon might ask you to quit smoking, bring a baseline mammogram to compare the post-treatment results with the pre-treatment condition and stop using aspirin, anti-inflammatory, or blood-thinning medicines. These steps ensure a successful surgery.


During the procedure

A breast lift can be performed through a variety of incision patterns and ways, but the suitability of a specific incision pattern depends on the patient's unique breast condition, such as: 

  • Breast shape and size

  • The size and position of the areola

  • The extent of breast sagging

  • Skin elasticity and the amount of extra folds of skin to be removed 

As the procedure begins, the nursing team follows the following protocol: 

  • Give you a surgical gown 

  • Position you on the surgical table 

  • Administer anesthesia and clean the surgical area 

  • Mark your skin to decide where to make incisions 

  • Make cuts around the areola outward or downward from there 

  • Cut, shape, or reposition tissues according to the desired look 

  • Sew the lifted and tightened muscles 

  • Move the drooping nipple higher 

  • Trim extra sagging skin or muscles 

  • Close the incisions  

  • Apply bandages and compression garments to support your breasts during the healing process 


After the procedure

The results of a breast lift surgery are immediately visible and the patient is usually able to go home the same day. The swelling caused by the procedure will disappear and the incision lines will gradually become less noticeable over time. The majority of individuals who undergo the surgery report being pleased with the results, which continue to improve over the course of a few months. Even though the incision marks remain visible, they become subtle over time. The results of a breast lift are generally long-lasting, although age and gravity may cause the breasts to change shape. To preserve the results of the surgery, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle and maintain a consistent weight. Furthermore, your doctor will provide guidelines to follow in order to prevent post-operative complications. They may include:

  • Take pain-relieving medicines.

  • Avoid strenuous activities.

  • Sleep on your back.

  • Wear a support bra to reduce swelling and facilitate healing.

  • Take care of the drains and change the dressings.

  • Move carefully and ensure not to bring your arms above your head, as it may cause stretching of muscles. Keep your elbows on your sides.

It's important to know that breast lift surgery should be undergone after completing the bearing of children. Typical breast changes caused by pregnancy and lactation might reverse the results.

Types of Breast Lifts

  • Which Breast Lift is Right for You

    Breast lift or mastopexy is designed to lift the sagging or drooping breasts to give them a firmer and more youthful appearance. If you are considering breast lift surgery, your surgeon will discuss a few incision options with you. The choice of incision is based on the following: 

    • Your skin elasticity and how much extra skin you have 

    • Your breast size and shape 

    • Areolar size 

    • The extent of the breast sag 

    Based on the factors mentioned above, the following are the common incision types:

  • Vertical

    The incision begins in a rounded fashion around the circumference of the areola and then descends into the breast's crease, also known as the infra-mammary fold. This kind of incision is popular for those seeking a moderate elevation of the breast tissue with fewer scars compared to a full breast lift (anchor incision breast lift).

  • Crescent

    The crescent incision option is utilized when minimal lifting is performed. This incision is a semi-circular arch on top of the areola. Scars from the crescent incision are permanent but get camouflaged along the areolar margin. Women with significant sagging are not the right candidate for crescent incisions.

  • Anchor

    An Anchor incision, also called an inverted T incision, circles your areola, then goes vertically down to your infra-mammary fold, then horizontally along your infra-mammary crease on the chest wall. It's often used in people with excess sagging or undergoing breast reduction.

  • Peri-Areolar

    A periareolar incision, called the donut incision, is made around the entire areola. Because of the darker color and texture of the areolar border, the scar gets camouflaged and sometimes is virtually invisible. Periareolar surgery is also for patients who want minimal skin removal. However, a periareolar incision is linked with a higher risk of capsular contracture and other scar-related deformities.

Breast Lift

Why a Breast Lift?

Mastopexy, or a breast lift, is a commonly performed breast surgery that seeks to give the breasts a more uplifted, firm, and perky appearance. While a breast lift cannot change the size of the breasts, it can be combined with other operations such as breast augmentation or reduction to attain the desired result. Additionally, this type of operation has many health advantages, like preventing skin infections caused by the continual friction of breasts which are situated too low on the chest.

  • Rejuvenation
  • Mommy Makeover
  • Improved Nipple Projection
  • Firmer Appearance
  • Reduce Under Breast Irritation

What Conditions Are a Breast Lift a Solution to?

Sometimes, after significant weight loss or due to gravity, breasts get flaccid and droop downwards. Flaccid and sagging breasts can ruin your posture and can have repercussions on almost every facet of your life. A breast lift can help you stand straight with less tension on your neck and shoulders, leading to fewer headaches. :

  • Back pain

    Sagging breasts pull heavily inside your bra and pull the muscles supporting your neck and back. This consistent pull causes chronic pain in the back and surrounding muscles. A breast lift surgery treats the discomfort and pain and makes your breasts stay up on their own. Therefore, heavy-duty bra support is no longer required.

  • Sagging/loose breasts

    Mastopexy benefits women with sagging breasts. Loose or sagging breasts are a multifactorial issue. Many times, the sag in breasts is caused by childbirth, breastfeeding, excessive weight loss, gravity, or old age. For whatever reason, breast lift surgery counteracts the problem and gives your breasts the firmness you desire.

  • Weight loss

    Substantial reduction in weight can aggravate the problem of drooping and sagging of the breasts. This is a common problem encountered by individuals who have lost weight through surgical procedures like bariatric surgery or other natural methods. The principal goal of a breast lift after major weight loss is to give the breasts a tight, firm, and youthful look.

Steps to getting your procedure

Step 1

Research

Step 2

Matching with a doctor

Step 3

Getting financing

Step 4

Booking a consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

A. The results of breast lift surgery are long-lasting but not permanent. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, genetic factors, or natural aging often impact the results. Sometimes you might need a second breast lift to regain the results. Some women don't undergo the entire procedure again; they get 'touch-ups' only. Maintaining a healthy weight and acquiring a healthy lifestyle is the most effective way to maintain long-lasting results.

A. Even though a breast lift surgery has a relatively quick recovery, still like any surgical procedure, it carries potential risks and complications. Common complications associated with breast lift surgery are: Bleeding: Bleeding is a common risk with any surgery. Bleeding causes bruising that slows down the recovery. Although it is rare with breast lift surgery, still it's essential to take precautionary measures and medications before the surgery to avoid bleeding.   Infections: Infections with breast lift surgery are pretty rare, but it's common to be on antibiotics for a short time after the surgery.  Scarring: In a breast lift surgery, skin flaps are removed. Therefore, some scarring is unavoidable.  Loss of sensation: Loss of sensation in the nipples is rare. The skin on the lower aspect of the areola loses some sensation for several months. However, the sensation returns in the majority of the skin.  Anesthesia: The risk of anesthesia-related problems is higher in smokers after the breast lift surgery. Patients should avoid active and passive smoking 3-4 weeks before and after the procedure.   A few other risks associated with breast lift surgery are: breast asymmetry, blood clotting, fluid accumulation, poor healing, chance of revisional surgery, and Partial or total loss of nipple or areola

A. Breast lift scars don't really disappear. However, they fade away and flatten. Crescent or periareolar incisions result in scars that get camouflaged in the areolar skin. However, in lollipop incisions and inverted T incisions, scars are visible. If taken great care of, scars get whitish once fully healed.

A. Sometimes, women have such heavy and large breasts that, due to their weight, they develop particular health concerns that make breast lift a medical necessity. The most common health concerns that lead to breast lift surgery are: 1- Chronic neck/shoulder/back pain Sometimes, women with large pendulous breasts complain of chronic back, shoulder, or neck pain. Bra straps grooving into the shoulders signify this issue. Such a condition makes breast lift surgery a medical need. 2- Tingling in upper extremities: Sometimes overly heavy breasts cause numbness or tingling in the upper extremities. This condition is called paresthesias. Resolving this problem needs breast lift surgery. 3- Kyphosis: A few women have such heavy breasts that they develop painful and exaggerated rounding of the upper back, called kyphosis. In such a condition, women walk hunched over instead of standing straight and suffer from constant back pain.

Cost of Procedure

According to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of mastopexy is $5012. However, this is an average cost and doesn't include doctor's fees, anesthesia, surgical ward, and medicines charges. The total cost of the procedure also depends on the surgeon's years of experience and the hospital's geographical location.