Breast Lift

Breast lift is a surgical procedure addressing sagging breasts and downward-pointing nipple issues by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue.

What is Breast Lift?

Breast lift is a surgical procedure also known as mastopexy. The aim of this surgery is to elevate and reshape the breasts. This surgery addresses issues such as sagging breasts and downward-pointing nipples by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue.

Mastopexy surgery not only enhances the appearance of your breasts but also improves the fit and comfort of your clothing. If you would like to enhance the overall appearance of your breasts, you can consult with your surgeon to discuss your goals and expectations.

Who is the Right Candidate for a Breast Lift?

Breast lift surgery is not a major surgery that has dramatic difficulties. The surgery is considered easy; however, it cannot be applied to everyone.

To have this surgery:

• You should be physically healthy.
• You should be a non-smoker.
• Your breasts have lost shape or volume.
• You lost significant weight, causing sagging.
• You completed your breastfeeding period.
• You have been experiencing aging and skin laxity.

Types of Surgical Breast Lift

Breast lift surgery can be performed by aesthetic and plastic surgeons. Sometimes, your surgeon may suggest you have breast lift and enlargement operations together. According to your needs, your surgeon will advise which surgery you should have. Some of the breast lifting operations are listed below:

Scarless Mastopexy Lift

Contrary to its name, this surgery type is not completely without scars. In fact, after the surgery, there are breast lift scars that are minimal and well-hidden. During this surgery type, your surgeon will use radiofrequency energy to lift and tighten sagging breasts without requiring incisions.

Crescent Lift

This type involves a crescent-shaped incision above a portion of the nipple-areola complex. It facilitates the elevation of the nipple-areola complex to a higher position on the breast. The crescent lift is particularly effective for minimal scarring and can be used to correct nipple asymmetry.

Periareolar Lift (Donut Lift)

This type of breast lifting surgery is suitable for you if you have a small amount of sagging. The donut lift removes a concentric ring of flesh from around the nipple-areola complex to minimize the size and diameter of the breast lift scars.

Circumvertical Lift (Lollipop Lift)

This mastopexy type is also known as a vertical breast procedure. If you have minimal breast sagging and need a slight lift, your surgeon may suggest this surgery, which includes a circumareolar incision around the nipple-areaola complex and a vertical incision from the lower edge of the nipple-areaola complex.

Anchor Lift

This is the oldest and most common mastopexy operation. If you have severe breast sagging and skin excess and are looking for breast lift and reduction, an anchor lift may be a good option for you.

How is a Breast Lift Done?

Breast lift surgery date will be determined after your initial consultation with your surgeon. During the consultation, your surgeon will perform tests such as a mammogram or other physical exam.

Breast lift procedure can be summarized as below:

• The first step of the surgery is applying general anesthesia or intravenous sedation to ensure you do not feel pain during the surgery.
• Your surgeon will make an incision according to the type of surgery.
• After making incisions, your surgeon will

• Lift and reshape the underlying breast tissue to improve contour and firmness.
• Reposition the nipple and areola to a more youthful height.
• Reduce enlarged areolas by excising skin at the perimeter if necessary.
• Remove excess breast skin to compensate for a loss of elasticity.

• In the last step, your surgeon will close the incisions. The breast lift scars may be visible, but these scars will fade over time.

Breast Lift Recovery Time and Aftercare

Breast lift operations are generally quick. In addition, the long-term results can be observed after 8 weeks, which is quite soon when compared to other plastic surgery types. After your surgery, you should follow up on the aftercare instructions your surgeon informed you about. These instructions for breast lift recovery can be listed as follows:

• You may expect soreness and swelling. To relieve the discomfort, you can take the medications your surgeons prescribed.
• You should follow a balanced diet and drink 8–10 glasses of water.
• You should avoid heavy exercise. Instead, you can walk around.
• You should keep your head elevated even while sleeping. You can use pillows at 30–40 degrees.
• Until your incisions are fully healed, you should not soak in baths or hot tubs.
• You should not apply a hot or cold compress unless it is advised by your surgeon.

Advantages and Limitations

Breast lift surgery offers many benefits as well as limitations, just like every surgical procedure. Before having this surgery, you should get detailed information and be conscious of the positive and negative consequences.

Advantages

• Boob lifts and augmentations raise and firm sagging breasts.
• The operation repositions downward-pointing nipples to a more natural and youthful position.
• Breast lift mastopexy makes asymmetrical breasts appear more alike in size and shape.
• The surgery boosts self-confidence.
• The results are long-lasting.
• The surgery lessens skin irritation and discomfort caused by sagging skin.

Limitations:

Breast lift mastopexy,

• Leaves breast lift scars.
• Do not increase the size of the breasts.
• Causes a risk of temporary or permanent changes in nipple or breast sensation.
• It requires recovery time.