Breast Lift Surgery

Are your breasts sagging due to pregnancy, age, or weight loss? Then breast lift surgery may help you. A breast lift is a cosmetic procedure used to lift and improve the shape of your breasts. The breast lift  or mastopexy removes the excess skin and reshapes the surrounding breast tissue to raise them. Breast lift surgery is also known as mastopexy. It helps restore the breast contour and regains your self-esteem.

A breast lift can be combined with breast augmentation and breast reduction surgeries. You can discuss your goals with our surgeon and she will help you decide the required procedure to meet your needs.

Why Do I Need Breast Lift?

As you get older, your breasts lose firmness and they become less elastic. The following can be the reasons for changes in your breasts:

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Changes in weight
• Heredity
• Gravity

A breast lift can help improves the firmness of your breast and brings back your youthful appearance. A breast lift surgery can also help treat the following:

• Asymmetrical breasts
• Sagging breasts with nipples pointing below the crease under your breasts
• Nipples and areolae pointing downwards
• Breasts that have lost volume and shape
• Breasts with very large areolas and stretch marks
• Breasts that are flat and elongated or pendulous

CATEGORIES OF DROOPING / SAGGING BREASTS :-

    Drooping of breasts is known as Ptosis

• Grade  1 :- Nipple situated above breast fold and above most of the lower pole breast wall
• Grade  2 :- Nipple situated below the fold but still above most of lower pole breast
• Grade  3 :- Nipple situated below the level of breast fold and  are below most of the lower pole breast.
• Pseudo ptosis :- Nipple is situated above IMF but breast tissue droops below breast fold.

Who Can Have a Breast Lift Surgery?

If you are planning to undergo a breast lift surgery, you must meet the following requirements:

• You should be healthy and should have a stable weight
• You should be a non-smoker
• You should have realistic expectations from the surgery

Along with this, if you are planning for pregnancy in the future, you should consider delaying breast lift as your breast will stretch during the pregnancy.

Initial Consultation and Preparation for Surgery

During your initial consultation with the surgeon, you can discuss about desired size and shape of your breasts. Based on that, the surgeon determines whether a breast lift can meet your requirements. The surgeon also considers the shape of your breasts, your skin elasticity, and the location of your nipples and areola. The surgeon will also ask about your medical history, and medications that you are using. The surgeon will also explain the procedure along with the risks and benefits.

Before undergoing the procedure, the surgeon may ask you to do the following:

• Get blood tests and physical exam done
• Get a mammogram 
• Stop drinking and smoking
• Avoid using some medications such as blood thinners

What Happens During a Breast Lift?

A breast lift surgery can be performed using different techniques. The incisions to be made are based on the techniques chosen by your surgeon. The technique is based on the size and shape of your breasts, position of areolae or grade of sagging, skin quality and elasticity, etc.

The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthesia. The procedure may take 2 to 3 hours. The surgeon may make incisions in the following:

• Around the areola
• Around the areola and horizontally along the breast crease
• Vertically down from the areola to the breast crease

After making incisions, the surgeon removes the excess skin and lifts the breast tissue. The surgeon then repositions the areola and nipples to give a more natural look. Now, the incisions are closed with stitches. You need to use a surgical bra for around 3 to 4 days after surgery to provide support to your breasts.

• Normal breasts with loss of fullness in upper pole may be managed with breast augmentation alone.
• Grade 1 ptosis- is managed with breast augmentation alone or periareolar lift- (crescent or doughnut lift)
• Grade2 and 3 ptosis- require Lollipop lift or anchor lift. In patients seeking for increase in volume, simultaneous augmentation with implant and breast lift is performed.

After the Procedure

• You may have bruising and swollen breasts for a few weeks. You may also have pain and soreness at the incision site. You will be given pain medications. You may also have numbness in the nipples, and breasts for a few weeks.
• You will be advised to wear a supportive bra 24/7 for a period of 4-6weeks.
• Avoid underwired bra for 6weeks.
• Avoid raising your arms above 30 degrees for 1-2 weeks.
• Avoid lifting heavy weights beyond 3 kgs and exercises for 4-6 weeks.
• Ensure that you don’t sleep on your face or tummy.
• You will be taught lymphatic massages in the second week to be followed for a period of 6 weeks. This helps in healing process, softens the skin, reduces the lumps and bumps in the breast.
• Scar reduction creams and moisturizers would be prescribed to keep the scars moist and supple.
• You should also avoid sexual intercourse for at least 2 weeks after the procedure.
• You may have scars based on the type of breast lift you had. You may have scars around the breast crease, borders of the areola, and on the surface of your breasts. Over time, the scars can take the colour of your skin and become less visible.

Results of the Procedure

You can start noticing the changes in your breasts right away after the procedure. The changes keep continuing for a few weeks and it takes some time to adjust to your new shape. Most women will be satisfied with their new firm breasts.

Dr B.R.N Padmini – An Experienced Cosmetic Surgeon in Hyderabad

If you feel that your breast shape and size are affecting your beauty, meet Dr B.R.N Padmini today. She has over 13 years of surgical experience and has performed several cosmetic surgeries in Hyderabad. She uses cutting-edge medical equipment to ensure that patients receive the best possible treatment. To know your suitable options, schedule your consultation today.

Frequently Asked Questions