With normal aging, most women experience some degree of drooping or sagging with their breasts. The degree of sagging will vary according to number of pregnancies, substantial weight fluctuations, hereditary factors and hormonal changes that naturally occur. Unfortunately, sagging will not improve over time and cannot be corrected with exercise or special bras.
When sagging is troublesome enough for the patient, breast lift surgery is the only way to improve appearance. A breast lift removes excess or stretched skin and raises the breasts’ positioning on the chest. The nipple position is also usually elevated and the size of the areola is often reduced. Board-certified Wichita plastic surgeon James Shaw, MD is extensively experienced in modern breast lift techniques and achieves high-caliber results for each patient’s needs, concerns, and hopes for the outcome.
Common Concerns in the Breasts
A small amount of sagging
If sagging is minimal, but there is not enough breast volume, simply placing an implant for breast augmentation may be the best option.
If a younger patient is not willing to accept the additional scars that come with breast lift surgery, she may choose to have augmentation with an implant. She can always return at a later date for the lift.
Saggy and too small
This the most common finding for breast lift patients. They definitely would benefit from the lift, and there is not enough remaining breast tissue to fill out the upper portion of the breasts. In these patients, doing a lift by itself will leave the upper portion of the breast hollow or “scooped out.” A small implant placed at the time of the lift can correct this lack of volume.
Saggy with adequate breast volume
This situation is not as common and is easily addressed with the breast lift alone. This allows for removal of the excess skin and returning the breast tissue to a higher position on the chest. In addition, the nipple position is improved and the diameter of the areola can be adjusted.
Saggy and too large
This is another common situation and is easily addressed by removing some of the heavy breast tissue from the lower or outer portion of the breast at the time of the lifting. By repositioning the breast and reducing some of the weight of the breast, many patients report reduced pain in their upper back, neck, and shoulders.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?
A breast lift can be an ideal procedure for women looking to restore a more youthful, lifted breast contour. This surgery does not significantly change breast size, but it can reposition and reshape sagging breasts to improve firmness and projection while redefining your contours. Mastopexy can be beneficial for patients who:
- Want to improve a tuberous, elongated, or “deflated” look in the breasts
- Experience sagging of their breasts below the natural breast crease (inframammary fold)
- Have nipples that are stretched, elongated, or point downward
- Desire a more youthful, “perkier” bust with greater upper pole fullness
Those interested in a breast lift should also be in good health, at a stable weight, and have realistic expectations for the final outcome. Non-smokers without serious medical conditions generally heal best from surgery and are less likely to experience complications. Most of the time, it’s also recommended to look into breast lifting options when there are no future plans to have children. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. James Shaw is essential to determining whether a breast lift is the right solution for your specific anatomy and aesthetic goals.
What Does Breast Lift Surgery Involve?
A breast lift and a breast reduction are essentially the same surgery. The main difference is the amount of tissue removed. With a breast reduction typically 500 to over 2000 grams (or 1 to 4 pounds) of tissue is removed per breast. This type of surgery is more complex than placing implants alone. As such, there is a greater variation in the predictability of the results as well as patient expectations.
Although the size and position of the nipple/areola is altered, the nipple is not removed and replaced. The nipple remains attached to the underlying breast tissue. The scars are present around the new location of the nipple, a vertical line going done toward the base of the breast and usually a short horizontal line in the crease at the base of the breast. There are no scars in the upper portion of the breast.
The procedure is performed by James M. Shaw, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon, under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery center. A board certified anesthesiologist will be immediately available at all times. After the anesthetic wears off, you will go home the same day. You will need a responsible adult present to drive you home.
What Can I Expect During Breast Lift Surgery Recovery?
It is recommended that you stay home and minimize arm activities for the first four or five days after breast surgery. Use cold packs or ice as much as possible. After four or five days, most patients are ready to return to work or school or begin running errands. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided until about three weeks following surgery.
It is normal to have some bruising and swelling following surgery. Also the lowest part of the breast should be tight and even a little over-corrected. This area will relax and settle over the first few months.
A sports bra may be used instead of the surgical bra, if desired. Wear the type of support that you find to be most comfortable.
How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?
The cost of a breast lift can vary depending on several key factors, including your surgeon’s expertise, geographic location, the complexity of the procedure, and whether surgery is combined with other treatments (such as breast augmentation). Details of your treatment plan that may affect total costs include:
- The type of breast lift performed
- The incision technique utilized
- The extent of your concerns
- The complexity of surgery
- Whether breast implants are incorporated into your treatment plan
If you’re concerned about the upfront costs of a breast lift, plastic surgery financing through CareCredit® offers a flexible way to pay over time. This reputable healthcare credit card can allow qualified patients to proceed with their surgery while paying in lower, interest-free installments.
If you have any questions about the breast lift procedure or if you’re ready to book a consultation with Dr. Shaw, please contact our Wichita practice today.