Over time, different external and internal factors such as multiple pregnancies, breastfeeding or gravitation can have a negative impact on the appearance of the breasts. Once the skin loses elasticity, the breasts will lose their shape and firmness and start to sag. Breast lifting is a surgical procedure that will elevate and remodel the breasts, at least for a certain period of time. Keep in mind that there is no surgical procedure that can delay the effects of gravity forever.
Mastopexy can also reduce the dimensions of the areolas, which is the dark area around the nipple. If your breasts are small and have lost their volume after a pregnancy, a breast implant surgery combined with mastopexy can considerably improve both the consistency and size of the breasts.
If you are looking into the breast lift procedure, this article is here to offer you information about the procedure and when it is recommended to consider it. At the same time, it is still important to talk to your surgeon about any detail that you might not understand.
Who are good candidates for a breast lift surgery?
The breast lift procedure can improve the general appearance of the patient and restore self-esteem, but this procedure cannot turn them into somebody else. Before deciding to undergo with the intervention, you should carefully consider your expectations and talk about these with your plastic surgeon.
You can consider the breast lift intervention if you are a woman in good physical and emotional health and have reasonable and realistic expectations from the surgery. The best results are often achieved in women with small or moderate breasts that are sagging. Of course, the procedure can be performed on breasts of any size, but the results might not last as long in the case of heavy and voluminous breasts.
Many women want to undergo mastopexy because pregnancy and breastfeeding left their skin stretched with less volume in the breasts. This means that if you plan to have more children after the procedure is performed, it would be a good idea to postpone the intervention. While there are no risks that will affect future pregnancies, it is very possible that during pregnancy your breasts may be stretched again, altering the results of the breast lift surgery.
You can consider the procedure if you are able to understand and accept the fact that all plastic surgeries entail risks. Of course, the risks are greatly diminished when you choose an experienced plastic surgeon to play out your surgery. However, there is always a possibility for complications to occur, including infection or allergic reactions to the anesthesia. Excessive bleeding or infection as a complication of breast lift surgery are uncommon, but they can cause extended scars. You can reduce the risks of developing complications by closely following the plastic surgeon’s instructions before and after the intervention.
The breast lift leaves obvious and permanent scars that can be covered with underwear. Delayed healing and widened scars usually occur in patients who smoke. Another unwanted complication is asymmetrically positioned areolas or a permanent loss of sensitivity in the breasts or nipples. While these complications rarely occur, consider undergoing this procedure only if you are willing to accept the risks.
The process
The initial consultation with the plastic surgeon is probably the first and most important step when considering undergoing the breast lift. It is essential to discuss with the plastic surgeon openly and honestly about what you expect from the procedure and ask his opinion on these matters. Each patient and plastic surgeon have different opinions about what the suitable size or shape of the breast should be.
Breast reduction can be performed together with a breast lift. Many patients don’t even consider the necessity of having a breast reduction performed at the same time with a mastopexy as they believe that the breast lift will significantly reduce the size of the breasts and make it redundant. However, this is only possible if the patient has sagging skin and no excessive mammary gland tissue. During the breast lift surgery, the plastic surgeon will only excise the excess skin tissue and remodel the mammary gland tissue that will be untouched.
When can you consider breast lift surgery?
Your plastic surgeon will ask plenty of questions about your medical history, as well as other personal aspects such as the desire to have more children. It is recommended not to undergo the breast lift until you are done having children, as well as breastfeeding, as these can significantly impact the results of the procedure.
Age is not overly important when considering the breast lift procedure. Patients of all ages can undergo this surgery with impressive results. However, keep in mind that if you choose to have this procedure in your 30s, you might need another one performed a few decades later. The external factors will put their marks on the results of the intervention and the breasts might sag again later on. The procedure is suitable for patients of all breast sizes and can be performed with a breast augmentation or a breast reduction, depending on the patient’s desires and needs.
A prerequisite of the breast lift surgery is for the patient to be in good health. The patient will have to undergo certain tests to check for signs of infection or other conditions that might prevent the healing process or determine complications during the surgery.
When considering the breast lift surgery, keep in mind that the success of the intervention is not only on the plastic surgeon’s hands. The patient has to put in some effort, both before and after the surgery. There are recommendations that need to be followed strictly to ensure optimal results.
The patient is not allowed to smoke, drink alcohol, or expose the treated area to the sun before and after the procedure for at least 4 to 6 weeks. More than this, a compressive bra needs to be worn for at least four weeks after the intervention to prevent blood and fluid accumulation and offer support for the breasts during the recovery period.
Each and every plastic surgery intervention implies a certain level of risk. The decision of each individual to subject herself to a surgical intervention is based on comparing the risks with the potential benefits. While the majority of patients will never suffer from complications, you need to discuss them with the plastic surgeon to make sure you are aware of the potential consequences.
Conclusion
After the breast lift procedure, the patient will need to wear a special bra. Pain and swelling will be experienced for a few days or weeks after the procedure. The healing process is gradual and slow; the breasts will get to their final shape and size after approximately three months post-surgery. It is important to be aware of the fact that any significant weight fluctuation during this time can compromise the final results. At the same time, keep in mind that the factors that have determined the initial breast ptosis will not go away. The result of the surgery is not permanent, but can be prolonged depending on how you care and pay attention to your breasts.
You can consider the breast lift surgery if you are unhappy with the position, size and shape of your breasts. In order to be an eligible candidate for the procedure, you must be in good health, both physically and emotionally, and willing to accept the potential side effects of the intervention. Keep in mind that there is always a possibility that the result of the intervention may not be satisfactory. The patient can be disappointed with the shape and size of the breasts, especially if she didn’t discuss this issue with the surgeon prior to surgery.