During a woman’s life, it is completely normal for breasts to change their appearance and of course, sag. Sagginess can be exacerbated by some factors throughout life – breastfeeding is the most common and popular reasons women seek a consultation with the experienced team at the Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery to bring their breasts back to their former glory.
Bringing breasts back to where they belong can be performed through a surgery known as mastopexy or breast lift. This surgical option may be all that is required to reach your breast and body goals, or this procedure can be combined with other breast procedures.
What causes breast sagging – ptosis?
Ptosis is the clinical term for the sagging of your breasts. It is not just the effects of pregnancy and breastfeeding on breasts that lead them to sag. Being overweight, smoking, natural ageing and gravity can all affect your breasts. Sagging breasts may also be a result of large breasts weighing you down also.
Breast ptosis occurs in a range of degrees of sagging; ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 3, lower breast sagging and unusually shaped breasts.
The surgeons at Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery can also discuss the combination of breast augmentation or breast reduction with you in combination with the breast lift surgery. It is important to be aware that a breast lift does not change the size of your breasts. It purely lifts the breasts to a higher position. The procedure is ideal for women who are satisfied with their breast shape and size, just not the degree of sagging.
What makes a woman a good candidate for a breast lift?
Some tests for breast sagging include placing a pen under your breast – if it stays there after you release your hand you may be an ideal candidate for a breast lift. Perhaps more wives tale than – science; other good candidates include:
- Having finished breastfeeding for more than six months – to allow the breasts to return fully to their new shape.
- Women not planning on ever breastfeeding.
- Candidates who have nipples and areola that point downward.
- Women over 18 years of age.
- Adequate breast size but sagging breasts.
- Breasts that lack firmness or substance.
During a breast lift
A breast lift operation can take between one and three hours to perform under general anaesthetic. If the lift is combined with another breast procedure, it will likely take longer to complete the surgery.
During your consultation, the surgeons will recommend one of several approaches to breast lift surgery. This recommendation will be based upon the surgeons, skill and experience and your preference, body shape and degree of ptosis.
These steps are common to all mastopexy – breast lift surgery:
- General anaesthesia is administered.
- The surgeon creates an incision in one of four techniques, typically determined by your degree of ptosis, the excess skin and breast size.
- Anchor Incision: is known as the inverted T technique, ideal candidates are women with extremely droopy breasts.
- Lollipop Lift: most appropriate for women with a moderate degree of breast ptosis.
- Donut Lift: also known as periareolar or Benelli lift, this incision is suitable for mild to moderate sagging.
- Crescent Lift: this technique is typically done in conjunction with breast augmentation and is appropriate for women with a small degree of ptosis.
- The excess breast tissue skin is removed.
- Repositioning of the areola and nipple is done.
- If combining an augmentation, the implants will now be inserted.
- The surrounding skin of the areola is brought down and together to reshape the breast.
- In a breast lift, all incisions are closed with sutures. The sutures will be strategically placed under the breast not to be as noticeable. Incisions will fade over time.
What to expect after surgery?
You will be required to attend a follow-up appointment. It is likely you will wear a support bra to provide extra support and assist in maintaining your new shape. There may be some swelling and post-surgery tenderness and discomfort. You will notice the results of the lift immediately. Some women may find it possible that you may experience some back ache as your body adjusts to your new breasts. Women who combine a reduction with the lift will notice a change in their posture. It is recommended that you take a couple of weeks off work to ensure complete recovery. Heavy lifting is not permitted.
With the breast lift procedure complete you should expect the shape of your breasts, the height, their projection and the balance/symmetry to improve greatly.
The Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery proudly delivers high standards of surgical care. They will approach your cosmetic surgery needs with a focus on your comfort level, requests, and body goals. The experienced staff understand that the decision to undergo breast surgery is not always easy to make. The professional team is sensitive and discreet when it comes to communicating with you and are happy to field any questions or concerns you may have about your procedure.
For more breast lift information, to arrange a consultation, visit the Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery at Malvern, complete a contact form or call us on 03 9508 9508.