Just as crow’s feet seem to take us by surprise, the aging process will also target a woman’s breasts, causing the skin to sag and droop over time. Time, gravity, weight loss, pregnancy, and heredity can all impact the speed and severity of your breasts’ changes, which can also include a loss of volume.
When you’re unhappy with the changes to your breasts, a breast lift could be the solution. Designed to restore breasts to their original shape and position, a breast lift can offer the right women many benefits.
What Is a Breast Lift?
Breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, can both raise and reshape your breasts, which will reverse and slow the effects of aging and gravity. It can be performed in tandem with other breast surgeries, like breast augmentation, to deliver the best results. An experienced plastic surgeon can help you decide which surgical options are best for you during a one-on-one consultation.
The breast lift procedure is most often performed under general anesthesia, although local anesthesia and a sedative will be used in cases where the incision is very small. Surgery typically lasts between an hour and a half and three and a half hours, beginning with an incision along the natural contour of the breast where excess tissue can be removed. The surgeon will next reposition your nipple and areola, resizing them as needed. Then, the skin is pulled together around the new areola and reshaped into new breasts. Stitches are placed around the areola and the lower part of the breast and the procedure is complete.
Why Do Women Seek Breast Lift Procedures?
Every woman’s body is different, so it is hard to pinpoint a specific point in time that is appropriate for a breast lift. A woman’s history of pregnancies, dramatic changes in weight, or family history can all play a role in how much sagging she experiences and when it occurs. Some women seek out a breast lift procedure once they have finished having their children, others when they suddenly notice the drastic change. Four main factors might contribute to a patient’s desire to seek out breast lift surgery:
- The aging process is a big one, since the skin’s elasticity breaks down as we age, causing it to become lax. Eventually, as the skin around your breast tissue loses this elasticity, the breasts pull downward and gravity forces them to sag. These factors together will lead to misshapen breasts with less firmness and noticeable sagging.
- Pregnancy and nursing put a lot of strain on a woman’s body, but her breasts might take the brunt of it. During pregnancy, weight gain and the arrival of milk can stretch the breasts and break down some of the elastin and collagen in the skin. After the baby is born, women who choose to breastfeed will experience even more changes to their breasts. Stretching and shrinking again and again, especially after multiple children, can further deteriorate the elasticity of the skin. After a woman has finished her pregnancies and stopped breastfeeding, she may be unhappy with the appearance of her breasts. It is best to have a breast lift only after you do not plan to have any future pregnancies and have been finished breastfeeding for at least six months.
- Dramatic weight loss greatly impacts the breasts, which are often comprised of many fat cells in addition to breast tissue. Many women have joked that they first lose weight from their breasts before anywhere else, and this is partly true. After a patient has achieved her target weight, it is very common for the breasts to appear limp, saggy, and shapeless. This can be very disappointing for a woman who has worked hard to take care of her body and now feels self-conscious about her breasts.
- Heredity can also play a big factor in how much your breasts will sag as you age. If the women in your family tend to have the same shape, with their breasts settling closer to the belly button than you’d like, you may be facing the same as your body ages. In these cases, there may not be any way to prevent this inevitable change in the body.
Are You a Breast Lift Candidate?
Not everyone is a good candidate for breast lift surgery, especially because every woman’s body is so unique. You likely have your own individual concerns about your breasts that should be addressed in a one-on-one consultation with a credentialed plastic surgeon. However, there are some basic signs that every woman can agree are a good indicator that your breasts could be helped by a lift procedure.
Standing in the mirror, take a good look at the positioning, shape, and volume of your breasts. If your nipples have drifted downward and now sit at or below the natural fold of your breast, you may want to consider a breast lift. Many other women will notice a lot of loose skin and a lack of firmness in their breasts. Another tell-tale sign is the loss of volume from the upper portion of the breasts, which become almost flat at the top with the majority of breast tissue hanging down at the bottom. The result is often a pendulous shape or a completely misshapen look to the breasts. Good breast lift candidates often notice unevenness or different shapes of each breast.
The best candidates for breast lift surgery are those women with small to medium-sized breasts who are also in good physical health. Larger breasts can be difficult to keep in position following a breast lift due to their weight, although it is possible to combine a breast lift and breast reduction to achieve the results you desire. If you feel that your breasts are on the small side or have lost a substantial amount of volume over the years, then you may want to consider adding a breast augmentation surgery to your breast lift. Consult with your plastic surgeon to design the best procedure for you and your unique concerns.
Where Can I Learn More About the Breast Lift Procedure?
If you think a breast lift surgery might be the right choice for you, the only way to know for sure is to consult with an experienced and board certified plastic surgeon. During your consultation, he or she will evaluate the features, sizing, and shape of your breasts to determine whether a breast lift is the best option to suit your needs. Discuss all of the surgical possibilities with your surgeon to plan ahead for your best surgery.
Get your best breast lift results when you contact Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists. Here, Dr. Ran Rubinstein can help you to achieve exactly what you’re looking for when it comes to breast surgery with VECTRA 3D Imaging, a device which can give you an accurate look at the projected results of your procedure.
Renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Ran Rubinstein at Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists of Newburgh, NY. Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists is the only specialty plastic surgery practice in the Hudson Valley area with an on-site joint commission certified surgical suite. To contact Dr. Rubinstein, please call 845-863-1772. Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Specialists is located at 200 Stony Brook Court, Ste. 2, in Newburgh, NY.
