Common Questions About Breast Lifts

We’ll come right out and ask it – are your breasts not as… perky as they once were? If so, do you feel self-conscious about it? You’re not alone.

And you may think the only solution is to get a “boob job,” or breast augmentation/reduction. You’re also not alone in this belief.

Fortunately, you have another option. A breast lift can raise and reshape sagging breasts. How? We’ll address this and other common questions about breast lifts.

Common Questions About Breast Lifts

Sagging breasts is a common occurrence. It could be the result of pregnancy and breastfeeding, fluctuations in weight, genetics, and/or aging. Whatever the reason, a breast lift can restore some of that youthful perkiness.

That said, you’re probably left with some questions. We’ll address common inquiries from our patients here – starting with the most obvious one:

1. What Is a Breast Lift?

During a breast lift procedure, also known as mastopexy, your board-certified plastic surgeon removes excess skin and fat and raises the breast tissue to uplift and improve the shape of breast. Separating the tissue from the skin beneath it allows for more comfort and mobility.

The chosen incision for the procedure depends on a number of factors. Depending on these, your surgeon may choose a circular incision around the areola, a line down the lower portion of the breast from the areola to the crease under the breast, or a line along that crease.

The excess skin and fat are removed from the incision. The surgeon then reshapes and lifts the breast, tightens the remaining skin, and closes the incisions.

2. Will My Breast Lift Scars Be Very Noticeable?

Any surgical procedure is going to carry the potential for scarring – though advancements in surgical technique have greatly reduced their appearance. This is also the case with a breast lift.

The visibility of scars from a breast lift depends on a number of factors, including the chosen incision (see above), as well as your own healing process.

In addition, postoperative care will impact scarring. For instance, not following the surgeon’s orders, getting back to work and exercising too soon, or skipping follow-up appointments could affect your ability to heal and hence, lead to more pronounced scarring.

3. Am I Too Young to Have a Breast Lift?

It’s not unusual for older women to seek a breast lift since aging is a primary reason for sagging breasts. Yet, as mentioned earlier, genetics, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and breastfeeding are all culprits as well.

So that means women of all ages can benefit from a breast lift. Age is just one of the factors your surgeon will consider when deciding whether a breast lift is right for you.

4. What If I Want to Breastfeed After a Breast Lift?

Many women may not consider getting a breast lift if they still wish to breastfeed.

To be honest, if you can wait until you’re done breastfeeding, that’s ideal. After all, the repositioning of the nipple and areola during a breast lift can affect milk ducts.

That being said, however, it’s not a deal breaker. Women have been able to breastfeed successfully after a breast lift. The success of this varies from patient to patient though. So if breastfeeding is still in your plans, you’ll need to discuss this with your surgeon to determine if s/he can tailor your breast lift to preserve your milk ducts as much as possible.

5. Will a Breast Lift Significantly Increase or Decrease My Breast Size?

Although a breast lift does change the appearance of your breast, it does not fall under the umbrella of breast augmentation or breast reduction. If you’re looking to dramatically change the size of your breast (for larger or smaller), these are the appropriate procedures.

The primary objective of a breast lift is to lift and reshape the breasts. They improve the position and contour of the breasts but don’t do much (if anything) to change the size. It should be noted, however, that a breast lift is sometimes done in tandem with a breast augmentation or reduction.

Stay Informed

If you’ve been considering a breast lift, we hope our answers to common questions about breast lifts allow you to make a more informed decision.

Understanding the procedure and going in with realistic expectations is the ideal place to start. So don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule your consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

He can answer any further questions you may have.