Also known as mastopexy, a breast lift is a surgical procedure performed to change the shape of your breasts. Excess skin is removed and breast tissue reshaped to raise the breasts by a plastic surgeon during a breast lift. If you have been asking yourself how does a breast lift work, we will be explaining it all in this article.
There are a number of reasons why you might choose to have a breast lift. Among them are if you have downward pointing nipples and if your breasts sag. Also, some people choose it to boost their self-confidence and self-made.
You need to know that a breast lift alone will not change the size of your breasts significantly. However, this procedure can be done in combination with breast reduction or breast augmentation to change the size.
Why it’s done
Your breasts go through some changes when you grow older loosing their firmness and elasticity. There are a number of things that cause these changes, which include:
- Pregnancy: Your breasts get heavier and fuller during pregnancy. As a result, the ligaments that support them might stretch, therefore, leading to sagging of the breasts after pregnancy. It doesn’t matter whether you breastfeed the baby or not, the breasts might still sag.
- Weight fluctuations: Weight changes can cause the skin of your breasts to stretch and lose elasticity.
- Gravity: Ligaments in the breasts can stretch and sag over time due to gravity.
Sagging can be reduced and the position of the nipples and the areolae raised through this procedure. Also, the plastic surgeon can reduce the size of the areolae to keep them in proportion to the new shape of the breasts.
Below are some of the reasons why you should consider a breast lift:
- Your breasts sag: They have gotten flatter and longer, or have lost shape and volume.
- Your nipples: If your breasts fall below your breast creases when unsupported.
- If you have downward pointing nipples and areolae.
- One of your breasts falls lower than the other.
The procedure
There are different techniques used to remove skin and reshape breasts. The location of the incisions and the resulting scars are determined by the specific technique chosen by your plastic surgeon.
Your doctor might make incisions:
- In the areolae.
- From the areolae extending downwards to the breast creases.
- Along the breast creases horizontally.
To reshape your breast tissue, stitches might be placed deep within your breasts by your surgeon. Excess skin will be removed by the doctor and the nipples shifted to higher positions. He or she will then close the incisions with skin adhesives, surgical tape, or stitches after bringing together the breast skin.
The whole procedure normally does not take more than three hours and you will be realised from the hospital the same day.
After the procedure
Your breasts will most likely be covered with a bandage and a surgical support bra after the procedure. To prevent excess fluid from causing problems, the surgeon might place small tubes at the incision sites to drain away any excess fluid or blood. These tubes will be removed after a few days.
