There are many reasons that a woman’s breasts may sag and lose volume. For example, weight changes, genetics, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can make the breasts softer and more likely to droop.
A breast lift can address these problems and turn back the clock. This popular procedure can address sagging breasts by repositioning them and the nipples into more pleasing shapes. Also, the areola may be made smaller as it has gotten larger as the breasts have changed.
If you are considering a breast lift, please keep reading to find out more, including whether a breast lift can be done without implants.
Breast Lift Procedure Overview
Before your breast lift, the surgeon will schedule a consultation with you to review your goals as well as your anatomy. With this information, your surgeon will assemble a breast lift plan for you and tell you what is possible.
The most common breast lift procedure uses a ‘lollipop incision’ that circles the areola and goes down to the breast crease. If a lot of tissue needs to be taken out, the incision may go around the areola and go down to the base of your breast.
Next, tissue and skin are removed, and the remaining breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to provide the ideal look and feel. The areola also is often reduced and placed higher on the chest.
Some surgeons use drains with their breast lifts that need to be removed after a few days.
Breast Lift Without Implants
A common question from patients is whether they can have a breast lift without implants. Yes! A breast lift is intended to remove extra skin, raise and reposition the breasts, and reshape breast tissue to resemble the effect of a small implant.
Many surgeons also perform a ‘volume preserving’ lift that preserves as much breast size as possible while also repositioning the breasts higher on the chest.
However, patients who want a significantly larger breast size will need to consider breast augmentation with implants. Or, if you want a smaller size increase, breast augmentation with fat transfer could be a great fit.
If you have a breast lift with implants, the procedure will remove extra breast skin to reduce sagging while also increasing the size and volume.
Some patients also have a tummy tuck with their breast procedure to remove extra skin and fat from the abdomen.
Ideal Candidates For A Breast Lift
Ideal candidates for a breast lift are close to their ideal weight and don’t smoke. However, if you do smoke, you shouldn’t use tobacco or nicotine for at least a month before and after the procedure.
Ideal candidates also have breasts that tend to sag and droop and are flat at the top. You also may have stretch marks on the breasts and areolas that have enlarged with pregnancy and breastfeeding.
You also should go into the breast lift procedure in good health; this ensures that you will recover quickly from the procedure.
Breast Lift Recovery
The breasts could be swollen and sore for several weeks after the procedure, and the surgeon will give you prescription pain medication. It also may help to put ice packs on the breasts for 10 minutes at a time.
It’s recommended to wear a surgical bra for up to a month after the surgery. Also, it’s essential to sleep on your back and prop up your torso with pillows to reduce swelling. The swelling and bruising should fade after two or three weeks, and you should see the final results after three to six months.
A breast lift can give the breasts a firmer and uplifted look that will make you look years younger. While you will have some scars, they will fade after a year or so. Talk to your surgeon today to decide if a breast lift will help you.
Tips For Your Breast Lift Recovery
Some tips to help you recover from breast lift surgery include:
Choose The Right Bra
Most surgeons say you shouldn’t wear underwire bras for at least three or four weeks. The wire will irritate your incisions and make you uncomfortable.
Your surgeon will likely give you a compression or surgical bra for the first month. After that, choose a supportive, soft bra for daily wear. Some choose a sports bra because it will give you the support you need without irritating the incisions.
Have Someone Stay With You
You should have someone stay with you for the first night to ensure all is well. After that, how long you need someone to stay over is up to you. But if you have small children, you should have help with them for a few days so you don’t do any heavy lifting.
Use Caution When Bathing
Bathing can be complicated for the first two weeks. Don’t take a shower for a few days after the procedure because you want to keep the incisions dry. Also, don’t take baths because submerging the incisions can cause infections.
Ask your surgeon when it’s okay to take a shower, but you can just take a sponge bath for the first few days.
Sleep On Your Back
The breasts will be swollen and sore for a few weeks. That’s why you shouldn’t sleep on your back for at least the first two weeks. After that, you may need to prop your body with pillows so you sleep on your back as much as possible.
Take It Easy
You don’t need to lie around for a month after a breast lift, but you should take it easy for a week or two. You should not engage in vigorous exercise for a month, but it helps to walk daily to keep the blood moving.
Request A Breast Lift Consultation
Thinking about a breast lift in Beverly Hills? Dr. Nicholas Lahar is pleased to provide plastic surgery procedures to his Beverly Hills patients. He will discuss your aesthetic goals during your consultation and help you decide if you are a good candidate for a breast lift.
References
Breast Lift Overview. (2021). Accessed at https://www.healthline.com/health/mastopexy
About Breast Lift. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-lift
