BREAST LIFT

A woman’s breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:

• Pregnancy
• Aging
• Breastfeeding
• Gravity
• Weight fluctuations
• Heredity

Also known as mastopexy, a breast lift raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is youthful and uplifted.

What it won’t do

Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast. If you want your breasts to look fuller or smaller, you may want to consider either breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery.

Is it right for me?

Breast lift surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. A breast lift is a good option for you it:

• You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight
• You do not smoke
• You have realistic expectations
• You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag, have lost shape and volume
• Your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous
• When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease
• Your nipples and areolas point downward
• You have stretched skin and enlarged areolas
• One breast is lower than the other

What happens during a breast lift surgery?

Your breast lift surgery can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques. The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:

• Breast size and shape
• The size and position of your areolas
• The degree of breast sagging
• Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin

There are three common incision patterns:

1. Around the areola
2. Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
3. Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease

After the incisions are made by the doctor, the underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness. Next, the nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height. If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter. Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for loss of elasticity.

The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for breasts which have been restored to a more youthful and uplifted position.