What is Breast Lift?

It is indeed disturbing for you to pour your sagging breasts into your bra every morning and watch as they fall the moment you remove your lingerie every night. The answer to your problem is a “Breast Lift”.

Breast lift, medically known as mastopexy, reshapes and lifts sagging breasts to give breasts a firm and uplifted appearance. Breast lift plastic surgery can be performed alone, or in conjunction with Breast augmentation.

Breast Lift plastic surgery entails removal of excess skin, with shifting of the skin to tighten, envelope and insert additional volume such as an implant for added projection (if an augmentation/ increase in volume is required) and smoothing of the skin. In doing so, the position of the nipple- areola complex can be elevated to a more youthful position.

The reason women opt for breast lift procedure is due to sagging breasts. Sagging breasts are caused because of:

• The natural effects of gravity on the body
• Natural aging process
• Hereditary factors
• Excessive weight loss leading to loss of volume
• Pregnancy and breast feeding

Am I a good Candidate?

If you are above 18 years of age, are concerned about drooping breasts, and have realistic expectations from the surgery, you are a candidate for breast lift. Following are the criteria for breast lift procedure:

• Level of nipple is below the breast fold
• Less volume in the top part of breast
• Loss of firmness
• Asymmetric size and shape of breast
• Pendulous breasts

Surgery Information

How is Breast Lift Procedure done?

The incision depends on the amount of excess skin and fat to be removed. Incisions are usually made on the inside or back of the arm. It then continues down from the axilla just short of the elbow. The type of procedure depends on the severity of the sagging, amount of loose skin and also the preference of the patient. The different techniques used for Breast lift are:

Inverted T Mastopexy (Inverted T incision): It is also called anchor incision. The incision is given around the areola and runs vertically down to the breast crease, and then continues horizontally along the breast. Disadvantage of this type is more scarring but can be used in cases of severe sagging like with extreme weight loss. It is usually used in cases where a breast reduction is required.

Vertical Mastopexy (Vertical incision): This is also called the keyhole or lollipop incision. The incision runs around the areola, and then vertically down to the breast crease. It is used for moderate sagging.

Peri areolar Mastopexy (Peri areolar incision): It is also called donut incision or Benelli lift. The incision runs along the perimeter of the areola. The skin is removed as a circular strip in the form of a donut. The scar formation is minimal in this method near the edges of the areola. It is used in cases of moderate to mild sagging since the skin removed is minimal and lifting is less. It is used in combination with implants.

Crescent Incision: The incision runs in a crescent form above the areola and removes the skin. The new line of skin is reattached to areola. It is suitable only for mild cases of sagging. It is used in combination with breast augmentation.

What is the Recovery after Breast Lift Surgery like?

You would need to stay at the hospital for 1-2 days under medical supervision after the surgery. You will experience slight pain, discomfort and swelling with bruising in the breast for a few days after the surgery. You can resume routine activities in about a week to ten days. You should avoid vigorous activities like gymming, sports and lifting anything heavy that can cause strain or pressure on the surgery site for at least six to eight weeks. A special bra is recommended for a few weeks after the surgery.

What Results Can I Expect from Breast Lift Surgery?

The surgery gives perkier, youthful breasts that sit higher on the chest. Most of the women say that they no longer feel the need of a bra to look attractive after the breast lift plastic surgery.