Breast Lift: Enhance Your Shape and Figure

Breast lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that firms and reshapes breasts to aid in tightening the breast tissue and reduce sagging. Also termed mastopexy, this technique involves removal of excess skin to improve breast contour and form. Breast lifts can even correct loss of skin elasticity and help restore a youthful figure.

Most women undergo a range of physical changes over time, and changes are perhaps the most prominent in the breasts. This is especially true after pregnancy and breastfeeding, which often causes loss of shape and firmness. But loss of breast shape is not limited to pregnancy and child birth alone. Generic aging and weight fluctuations often result in sagging breasts, best resolved with suitable surgical intervention.

Breast lift surgery can help correct droopy breasts giving them the desired shape without varying the breast size. Mastopexy is particularly appropriate after child birth when the breasts tend to shrink and sag. Surgery can help elevate the position of the nipple creating the desired lift, while any excess skin is removed to help combat sagging and tighten the tissue.

Depending on the position of the breast and the lift required, the incision patterns chosen during surgery may vary. Your cosmetic surgeon should be able to discuss the procedure and desired outcome prior to surgery. Typically breast lifts are performed on an anchor-shaped incision extended from the areola down to the lower crease area, which are then sutured back in such a way as to minimize scarring. Women with smaller breasts, which may sag less, can opt for what is called ‘doughnut mastopexy’ in which circular incisions around the nipple create a doughnut-shaped area of exposed tissue.

It is important to recognize that breast lifts will not enhance the size of the breast, and breast augmentation with implants can be opted for if desired. Likewise women looking to reduce breast size while improving sagging can go for breast lifts in conjunction with breast reduction surgery.

Cosmetic surgery includes several complex procedures, and it is crucial that one chooses an experienced and skilled surgeon who you can rely on. Your plastic surgeon must possess several years of surgical training, and at least two years of experience in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. Surgeons certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery can be trusted to deliver consistent results.

Breast lift surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, but most patients experience some discomfort that can be adequately controlled with pain medication. Some amount of swelling and breast ache is to be expected, which likely will subside in a few weeks. Scarring is common and incision lines may remain, though they do fade over time. While most women notice immediate results post-surgery, the final outcome is evident after the swelling diminishes.

Mastopexy offers long-term results, and the overall shape and structure of the breasts are retained provided your weight does not fluctuate and you lead an active lifestyle. Breast lift surgery is the ideal cosmetic procedure for women looking to reshape sagging breasts sculpting their figure into its youthful best.