Over time, a woman’s breast position and perkiness can deteriorate as the tissue and skin loses its elasticity. Pregnancy, nursing, fluctuations in weight, and genetics can accelerate the sagging and leave the breasts looking flat, shapeless and/or droopy. Breast lift is designed to give the breasts a youthful position for an overall more attractive profile.
What Does Breast Lift Achieve?
Breast lift elevates the breasts on the chest wall by removing excess skin and tightening the tissue. Breast lift elevates nipples that fall below the breast crease, relocating them higher on the breast mound. The procedure can also correct downward-pointing nipples and reduce oversized areolas.
Although breast lift improves the position of breasts, it will not change their size. If you desire perkier, larger breasts, Dr. Ellis may recommend adding implants to your surgery to add shape and fullness. If you desire perkier, smaller breasts, Dr. Ellis may recommend removing excess breast tissue and skin.
Candidates for Breast Lift
Women who have been pregnant, reached menopause, or have lost a significant amount of weight are most likely to seek breast lift since those are factors associated with breast ptosis (drooping). However, if at any point you are displeased with the elevation of your breasts, you can make improvements with breast lift.
Ideal candidates for elective surgery should be non-smokers who are in good health and have realistic expectations about what breast lift can accomplish.
Procedure Details
Breast lift is usually performed on an outpatient basis with local or general anesthesia. You can return home after your procedure to recover comfortably.
There are several different approaches to breast lift surgery. The approach that is right for you will depend on the degree of sagging and how much of a lift is required.
The periareolar incision is created around the circumference of the areola, or the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple. The “lollipop” incision pattern encircles the areola and extends vertically down to the breast crease. The “anchor” incision pattern encircles the areola and extends down to the breast crease and horizontally along the crease. Although scarring along the incision lines is unlikely to completely fade, most women are happy to trade some scars for an improved breast contour.
Through the incision, excess skin and tissue are removed and the remaining tissue and skin are tightened to produce a higher and firmer breast contour. The nipple and areola are elevated on the breast and the areola can be reduced in size if needed. Sutures are layered within the breast tissue to support the breasts’ new shape.
Breast Lift Recovery
Prioritize rest and relaxation in the initial days after your surgery. You will probably need to take 10 to 14 days off from work before you feel well enough to return. At all times except when showering, wear the compression garment that Dr. Ellis has provided to accelerate healing. You can expect bruising and swelling to linger for multiple weeks. Any lingering discomfort can be managed with pain medication.
Avoid strenuous activity like aerobic exercise for at least six weeks to avoid jostling your healing breasts. Walks are encouraged, however, as it helps to get your blood circulating, which helps to reduce swelling and inflammation. During your follow-up appointments, Dr. Ellis will inform you when you can resume full activity.
As is true of any type of plastic surgery, some scarring is expected. Dr. Ellis is careful to place his incisions along the natural lines and creases of the body (such as under the breast fold and around the areola) where scarring is more easily concealed. He is also delicate and deliberate with his incisions so that these scars will fade significantly over time.
Long-Lasting Breast Lift Results
Breast lift rejuvenates the position of the breasts, but it cannot stop the aging process altogether. Eventually, the skin surrounding your breasts will lose elasticity, allowing your breasts to start sagging again. The good news is that when breast lift is performed by an expert surgeon like Dr. Ellis, the results can last for over a decade. If you choose, mastopexy can be repeated in the future to maintain the results.
To maximize your breast lift results, maintain a steady weight. If you intend to become pregnant in the future, it usually makes sense to postpone your breast lift until after so that your breast skin does not stretch again.
Breast Lift Costs
Because breast lift is an elective, cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by most insurance plans. The exact cost depends on the extent of sagging that Dr. Ellis needs to correct — he can provide a complete quote during a consultation. Financing options are available to help make surgery more affordable.
Complementary Procedures
Although it is not necessary, many patients choose to combine breast lift with breast augmentation to achieve their preferred appearance. With breast lift, the focus is on elevating your breasts. To increase the volume of your breasts, you will need to use breast implants. Performing these surgeries at the same time can help to save money and time, and it allows Dr. Ellis to best achieve your preferred physique.
Breast lift is also a popular component of many mommy makeover plastic surgery plans. Since breast sagging is exaggerated by pregnancy, you may decide to have breast lift along with body contouring procedures like tummy tuck and liposuction to rejuvenate and tone your body after having children.
Schedule a Breast Lift Consultation
For more information about the breast lift procedure, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Ellis. You can reach our office by calling (312) 695-6022 or sending us an email today.