The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that since 2000, there has been a rapid increase of 70% in the number of breast lift surgeries, and that this procedure has doubled the number of breast implant surgeries.
Breast sagging (ptosis) occurs as a result of the ligaments that hold the breast tissue in place weakening over time due to aging, gravity, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Due to frequent weight fluctuations, the breasts lose their natural shape and fullness. Sagging is often accompanied by a reduction in breast tissue, and it also occurs in very large breasts.
A breast lift is a procedure that repositions the nipples and breast tissue to their proper position; if a change in breast size is also desired, this procedure should be combined with augmentation or reduction surgery using implants or fat grafting.
In cases where only one breast is reconstructed, reduction, lift, or augmentation procedures may be performed on the other breast to ensure symmetry.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR A BREAST LIFT?
– Physically healthy individuals,
– Individuals with sagging breasts accompanied by a loss of shape and/or volume,
– If the breast skin has lost its elasticity due to weight fluctuations and the areola has enlarged,
– If one breast is lower than the other, resulting in asymmetry.
PRE-OPERATIVE
During your pre-operative consultation with your plastic surgeon:
Inform your doctor about your general health, the medications you are taking, any herbal supplements you are using (you must discontinue any herbal supplements or anti-inflammatory medications that may increase bleeding before surgery), your previous surgical history, any allergies, and any history of breast cancer in your family or yourself.
Provide information regarding the dates and results of your most recent ultrasound and mammogram.
Clearly and explicitly state your expectations for the surgery.
During this consultation, your plastic surgeon will take detailed measurements of your breast size, skin quality, and areola size and will take photographs. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have about the surgery and the process during this consultation.
SURGERY
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and lasts an average of 2–2.5 hours, though this may vary depending on breast size. The breasts are reshaped using an appropriate technique to position the nipple at the desired height. In cases where sufficient volume cannot be achieved with breast tissue alone, breast implants are also inserted. Depending on the technique used, scars may form that encircle the nipple in a circular pattern or extend beyond this scar to form an inverted T shape. These scars fade over time depending on the individual’s wound healing pattern. You will be allowed to shower one day after surgery.
POSTOPERATIVE CARE
Since a breast lift is not a particularly painful procedure, there is generally no need for strong pain medication. A drain may be required postoperatively to remove accumulated blood and fluid, and patients typically return to their normal lives within 7–10 days and can go swimming.
It is advisable to wait a little longer before resuming exercise and sports. Wearing a bra for 3–4 weeks after surgery reduces the sensation of heaviness and pain caused by swollen breasts, helping the patient feel more comfortable. After that, there is no longer a need to wear a bra. You will have firmer, better-shaped breasts.
The results of a breast lift are long-lasting. However, to maintain the shape of the breasts, it is often advisable to avoid periods of significant weight gain and loss. Aging, hormonal changes, and the effects of gravity can also cause changes in breast shape over time.
