Breast Lift Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide
From natural sagging with age to the effects of pregnancy and weight fluctuations, the changes to your breasts can take a toll on your self-esteem and body confidence. If you want shapelier breasts, a breast lift surgery can help you achieve the look you desire.
In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about breast lifts, why women consider it, and its numerous benefits.
What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift is a surgery designed to reshape and elevate sagging breasts. Also known as mastopexy, this procedure removes excess skin, tightens surrounding tissue, and shifts the nipples to create a more lifted and firm breast contour.
Unlike breast augmentation, which enlarges the breasts with implants, a breast lift focuses solely on reshaping and raising the natural breast tissue.
Causes and Symptoms of Sagging Breasts
Several factors that contribute to the sagging of breasts over time, including:
- Ageing: As women age, the skin loses elasticity, causing the breasts to droop.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: The natural enlargement of the breasts during pregnancy, followed by the shrinking after breastfeeding, can result in loose skin and sagging.
- Weight fluctuations: Gaining or losing weight can stretch the skin and tissue of the breasts, leading to sagging.
- Gravity: Over time, the effects of gravity weigh down on the breast tissue, leading to a loss of firmness.
- Genetics: Some women may be more predisposed to breast sagging due to their inherited skin and tissue characteristics.
What to expect during surgery
The procedure is dependent on the breast lift surgery technique. Each is performed according to the degree of sagging and the desired outcome. The most common breast lift surgery techniques include:
Anchor Lift: This technique is used for significant sagging and involves three incisions: one around the areola, one that runs vertically from the areola to the breast crease, and one across the breast crease. The surgeon gets rid of excess skin and reshapes the breast, creating a more lifted appearance.
Lollipop Lift: This method is for women with moderate sagging and involves two incisions—one around the areola and one vertically down the breast. The vertical incision allows for reshaping and lifting without needing a horizontal scar along the breast crease.
Crescent Lift: This technique is used for minor sagging and involves a single incision along the top half of the areola. The surgeon removes a small crescent-shaped piece of skin to pull up the breast and reposition the nipple slightly.
Recovery Timeline and Aftercare
After a breast lift, post-surgery care is essential to ensure proper recovery and optimal results. The recovery process can vary for different individuals, but most patients can expect the following:
- First Week: Swelling and discomfort are common during the first few days, but pain medications can help manage symptoms. Most patients can return to light activities within a week.
- Weeks 2-4: Swelling and bruising begin to subside. Remain careful and avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting.
- Months 1-3: Most swelling is gone by the third month, and the final shape of the breasts becomes more apparent.
Potential Risks and Complications
As with any surgery, a breast lift carries some risks, including:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Asymmetry
- Poor wound healing
Discuss potential risks with your plastic surgeon to ensure you have a realistic understanding of the possible outcomes.
Do you need a breast lift?
Women who may benefit from a breast lift notice one or more of the following signs:
- The breasts appear deflated or elongated.
- Nipples point downward rather than forward.
- There is excess skin or wrinkling around the breasts.
- The nipples fall below the breast crease when unsupported.
If these signs resonate with you, a breast lift surgery may be a suitable option to restore the youthful look of your breasts.
Suitable Candidates for a Breast Lift
Women who are happy with the size of their breasts but want to address sagging make good candidates. Candidates may include:
- Women with drooping breasts after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Women who have lost weight and, as a result, are dealing with loose or stretched breast skin.
- Women whose breasts have naturally lost firmness and shape due to ageing.
Candidates should also be healthy, stop or reduce smoking, and have realistic expectations about the surgery's results.
Breast Lift in Singapore
A breast lift can be a confidence booster for women who want to improve the shape and firmness of their breasts. At Argent Plastic Surgery, we offer personalised breast lift procedures in Singapore, tailored to each patient's unique needs.
Our plastic surgeon, Dr Lee Hanjing, is committed to delivering quality care, from the initial consultation to recovery. She tailors her treatment to each patient’s needs, providing natural-looking results with minimal scarring.
To learn if you are suitable for breast lift surgery, book a consultation now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ideal candidates are women who are in good health and experience sagging due to ageing, pregnancy, or weight fluctuations.
A breast lift reshapes and elevates the natural breast tissue, while augmentation adds volume through implants.
Yes, but they typically fade over time. Surgeons make every effort to place incisions in inconspicuous areas.
In many cases, women can still breastfeed, but it's important to discuss your plans with your surgeon during the consultation.
Yes, many women have multiple procedures at once, opting for a breast lift with breast augmentation or other cosmetic treatments for a more comprehensive enhancement.