Breast Lift: What You Need To Know

Swan Center

What’s a breast lift?

Do your breasts appear somewhat droopy or saggy? The position of your breast can change as you age, after a significant weight loss or after pregnancy. Luckily, you can enhance the appearance of your breasts through a surgical procedure known as a breast lift or mastopexy. It’s a cosmetic procedure used to correct the shape and the contour of the breasts.

When should you consider a breast lift?

  • You have sagging breasts, or they have lost their firmness, shape, and volume.
  • One of the breasts is slightly lower than the other.
  • You have stretched and enlarged areolas.
  • Your areolas and nipples point downwards.
  • Your breasts are unusually shaped or asymmetrical.
  • You’re in good health.
  • You have a stable weight.
  • You have realistic expectations.

Benefits of Breast Lift

Firmer breast appearance

With or without clothing, breast lift surgery gives your breast a firmer look and feel. If you have sagging breasts, they may feel deflated and elongated. A breast lift surgery gives them new support to give them a firm appearance as they sit high on your chest.

Attractive breast shape

Sagging breasts can lose the attractive shape that you want your breasts to have. A breast lift helps to restore more appealing and supple breast shape. It gives the bust area a more appealing look, and your breasts look much rounder.

Improved nipple projection

If you have sagging breasts, the chances are that your nipples point downwards. A breast lift surgery helps to improve the appearance of the nipples by giving them a more forward projection.

Reduced under breast irritation

Sagging breasts result in skin irritation due to the excess skin lying under the breasts. During breast lift surgery, your doctor can remove the excess skin and separate the breasts from the skin.

Improved confidence

In today’s world, where external appearance matters so much, sagging breasts can result in loss of self-confidence. Many women aren’t happy with sagging breasts, and it’s this dissatisfaction that leads to low self-esteem. Breast lift enhances the contour and shape of the breasts, which enhances the external appearance of the woman.

Are there any risks involved?

Like any other surgery, there are possible complications. They include:

  • Scarring – Most scars will fade and disappear after one or two years. Bathing suits and bras can hide scars on the breasts until they disappear.
  • Loss of breast or nipple sensation – Although sensation normally returns after some months, some loss of sensation may be permanent. However, the erotic sensation is normally not lost.
  • Asymmetry or irregularities in the size and shape of the breast – Although it’s rare, irregularities in breast size and shape can be caused by changes during the healing process. It may also occur if the doctor fails to correct the pre-existing asymmetry successfully. That’s why you must find a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon.
  • Difficulty breastfeeding – Normally, breastfeeding shouldn’t be a problem after breast lift surgery, but some women may not produce enough milk after breast lift surgery.

Types of Breast Lift

Different incision techniques may be used for a breast lift. They depend on the patient’s goals, the amount of breast tissue, and excess skin that needs to be eliminated. The different incision techniques include:

Scarless lift

This is the least invasive technique. The scarless lift doesn’t require any incision. Instead, the doctor uses an electric current or ultrasound to heat the skin and fat cells. This makes the breast tissue tight and firm, creating the needed breast lift. This technique only works for women who have minimal sagging.

Crescent lift

This technique is appropriate for women with minimal sagging as well. It results in minimal scarring. The incision is done along the top edge of the areola. Crescent lift is less commonly used since it doesn’t achieve the same amount of lift compared to other techniques. It’s normally done in conjunction with breast augmentation.

Donut lift

Donut lift is appropriate for women with moderate sagging breasts. It only requires a single incision as well, so the scar isn’t that big. The doctor makes an incision around the edge of the areola. Donut lift is also appropriate for women looking to reduce the size of the areola. Like crescent lift, donut lift is often done in conjunction with breast augmentation.

Lollipop lift

This is a breast lift technique where the incision is made around the areola and another one from the breast crease to the areola. Lollipop lift is one of the most common types of breast lifts and is appropriate for women who want to reshape their breasts while also correcting any breast sag.

Anchor lift

Anchor lift is recommended for women with extensive sagging and wants dramatic reshaping of their breasts. Anchor lift produces the best results but also has the greatest degree of scars. Three incisions are made – an incision is made around the areola. Another incision is made from the areola to the breast crease. The other incision is made along the breast crease.

What happens to the scars afterward?

As you heal, the scars will naturally change. With time and proper care, the scars will fade and flatten. However, some behaviors can make the scars worse. They include:

  • Scratching the incisions
  • Smoking – Quit smoking at least 30 days before the surgery.
  • Excessive exfoliation
  • Tanning – It darkens the scars, making them more noticeable.
  • Heavy lifting – Avoid heavy lifting for at least one and a half months after surgery.

Tips to Minimize Scars After Breast Lift Surgery

Scar massage.

Massaging the scars in circular motions not only helps to flatten the scars but also decreases pain and inflammation. Scars are collagens that are interlocked together. By massaging a scar gently, the collagens are distributed, which helps to flatten the scar. However, this can only be done after the scab has disappeared, usually two weeks after surgery.

Apply creams regularly.

Creams help your skin to remain hydrated and the scar soft and flexible. There are different types of creams, and you should talk to your doctor about the best type of cream for your skin. The types of creams include:

  • Softening cream – It should only be used after the wound has healed. It keeps the scar hydrated and soft.
  • Antibacterial cream – is applied to protect against infections. The use of antibacterial cream depends on the post-operative instructions given by your doctor.
  • Silicone treatment – It’s the most effective treatment for reducing scars. Silicone treatments keep the scar tissue hydrated and help to flatten the scar. They also protect against infections. Silicone treatments should only be used after the wound has healed.

Stop smoking.

Smoking affects blood flow, and in turn, the amount of oxygen to the skin. Oxygen is necessary for the skin to heal properly. Also, smoking interferes with the ability of white cells to fight infections.

Eat healthily.

Taking the proper amounts of nutrients, vitamins, and proteins help to create new tissue that speeds up the recovery process.

Drink a lot of water.

Without fluids, wounds don’t receive the right amount of nutrients, vitamins, and proteins to heal. Keep your skin hydrated to enhance the healing process.

Wear sunscreen.

Ultraviolet rays from the sun can darken your skin. You don’t have to expose your incisions directly to the sun. The UV rays can seep through your top. It’s therefore advisable to wear sunscreen in the sun.

Will another breast lift surgery be needed in the future?

Sometimes, a ‘touch-up’ may be necessary. However, it depends on different factors such as breastfeeding, gaining, and then losing weight after surgery, and the effects of aging (which is impossible to predict). Should you require a ‘touch-up’ in the future, it won’t be a full procedure, but rather, a minor surgery compared to the initial one.

Can insurance help to cover your breast lift surgery cost?

Breast lift is a cosmetic procedure, and no insurance firm will cover the cost. However, health insurance may cover the costs when a breast lift is done as a part of a mastectomy.

Finding a reliable surgeon for your breast lift surgery

Are you considering breast lift surgery? Choosing a plastic surgeon is the most important decision you’ll make. Your breast lift surgery results largely depend on the plastic surgeon you choose. You want the safest and the best results from this procedure, and price shouldn’t be a factor.

Your choice should be based on the following:

  • Education, training, and certification – Is the surgeon board-certified? Where was he or she trained? A board-certified surgeon is an assurance that the surgeon is specifically trained and experienced in these types of surgeries. It’s also a confirmation that the procedure is taking place in an accredited facility, which is crucial for your safety.
  • Experience – Ask them how frequently they do breast lift surgeries, and how many breast lift surgeries they have performed.

Are you considering cosmetic surgery? Visit https://lexingtonps.com/ for exceptional services.

Popular on True Activist