Do your breasts sag lower than you would like? If you want to improve the elevation and presentation of your breasts, you may be considering mastopexy, AKA breast lift surgery. Some women postpone having surgery long after they want it out of a misplaced concern that they may be “too young” to have surgery. Below, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Marco Ellis discusses why even some young women can benefit from breast lift.
When Do Most Women Have Breast Lift?
According to the 2022 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 63% of breast lift patients nationwide are 40 and older, with the largest segment falling between 40 and 54. This mirrors what Dr. Ellis sees at his own practice.
This is a common age for women to notice signs of aging develop on their breasts, prompting them to seek cosmetic surgery. The production of collagen and elastin, two proteins that help to keep skin elastic, decreases over time. Moreover, perimenopause is accompanied by a decrease in estrogen, which also exacerbates skin laxity.
However, that still leaves 37% of breast lift patients who are between 18 and 39. The notion that it is “too soon” to have breast lift in our 20s and 30s is clearly not supported by the tens of thousands of women who make this improvement annually.
Factors That Can Warrant Breast Lift Before Your 40s
Premature sagging can happen for a few different reasons. The number one reason is pregnancy. Your breasts enlarge with new tissue to enable breastfeeding. Afterwards, the breasts shrink down to a smaller size, leaving the surrounding skin stretched and the breasts looking somewhat deflated. Therefore, mothers of all ages are more likely to seek breast lift than women who have not had children.
Another potential factor is significant weight loss. Your breasts are likely to shrink in size when you lose many pounds (along with the other areas of your body), which can again leave stretched breast skin. Genetics can also be a culprit for early sagging. Some women have breasts that hang lower than others even from a young age, and they, too, may benefit from breast lift.
Seek Breast Lift When You Feel Ready
Aging affects all bodies differently. If you have droopy breasts earlier than you expected, the good news is that cosmetic surgery is a highly effective solution. You do not need to worry about having breast lift too soon because the surgery can be repeated one to two decades later if you would like to maintain an elevated look.
To find out if you are a good candidate for breast lift with one of Chicago’s top-rated plastic surgeons, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Ellis by calling (312) 695-6022.