Breast lift in surgery: Getting rid of sagging breasts

Aesthetically, firm breasts are considered beautiful breasts, which is why people like firm and upward breasts. However, sagging breasts is a fact that eventually happens sooner or later with aging, pregnancy, and breastfeeding for many women, especially for women with larger and heavier breasts.

The attractiveness of firm upward breasts makes many women look for surgical or non-surgical solutions to correct their drooping breasts and feel more confident when dressing.

Breast lift or mastopexy is a type of plastic surgery to restore feminine curves and provide women with a younger and more beautiful appearance.

Unfortunately, sagging breasts cannot be treated with any method other than a breast lift. This problem’s adverse psychological effects are so strong that it may lead to depression and low self-esteem. That is why breast lift surgery is one of the most popular plastic surgeries.

What is breast lift surgery or mastopexy?

Breast lift surgery or mastopexy is a cosmetic surgical procedure to treat sagging breasts. Breast lift is done by making incisions in the breast’s skin, removing the extra parts, and lifting the breast’s skin. The breast tissue does not change in this surgical procedure. Unlike breast reduction, in which excess tissue and breast skin are removed, in mastopexy, the plastic surgeon just removes excess skin. Breast lift makes the shape of the breasts round and natural and returns the nipple and areola of the breast to their natural place.

What causes breast sagging in women? Five main reasons

Breast sagging is one of the most common problems for women of all ages. Sagging breasts have such an unpleasant appearance that women resort to breast lift surgery to get rid of it, but what causes this sagging? Sagging breasts have many causes, from physical and environmental factors to lifestyle and genetic. The common causes of breast sagging include aging, gradual skin growth, reduction in the volume of breast fat, and of course, the presence of gravity:

Aging

As you grow older, your breasts shrink. Simultaneously, the breast tissue may gradually deteriorate, causing the breasts to become narrow, more elongated, and drooping. For this reason, a breast lift is more popular in older women. In these cases, a breast lift may usually be accompanied by breast implants to compensate for the breasts’ lack of sufficient tissue.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are one of the causes of enlarged and sagging breasts. With the onset of breastfeeding, a fat tissue develops in the breasts, and the breasts become larger. After this period and with the loss of excess fat, the breasts become hollow and sagging.

During pregnancy, the ligaments that support the breast may be stretched, making the breast fuller and heavier. This stretch may play a role in breast fatigue after pregnancy whether or not the woman is breastfeeding.

Weight fluctuations

In overweight women, such as women who have experienced pregnancy, breasts enlarge by absorbing large fat tissue amounts. Weight gain also causes the breast skin to stretch and grow.

Now, suppose these women experience severe weight loss through exercise, strict diets, or bariatric surgeries. In that case, they will lose a lot of fat in a short period. With the reduction of fat in the breast tissue, sagging and loosening occur.

Gravity and breast size

Over time, the gravity force causes the ligaments in the breasts to stretch and sag., Suppose women who have large and heavy breasts and do not undergo breast reduction surgery; this extra weight will pull their breasts down and make them sag over time.

Hormonal and genetic factors

Other causes of breast sagging include hormonal changes and genetic factors. In some women, sagging breasts occur earlier due to the low elasticity of their skin.

Taking hormone-containing medications, such as birth control pills, is another cause of breast sagging.

Breast lift benefits

Women can have sagging breasts for a variety of reasons. In this case, the breasts lose their firmness and original shape, causing them to fall and hang. In such cases, the breast tissue and glands, which are now out of their normal state, are lifted by breast lift surgery through cutting and removing the extra skin. A plastic surgeon can reshape the breasts and restore the breast tissue, nipple, and areola to their original state. Breast lift surgery can reduce sagging in the nipple area and the dark areas around the nipples (areolae). The surgeon may resize the nipples to keep them in line with the newly formed breasts.

Seven permanent changes occur after a breast lift:

• Raising the nipple and the areola around it.
• Reducing the size of the areola around the nipple if needed.
• Lifting sagging breasts to achieving a natural shape fitting the body.
• Rounding and reducing narrow and long breasts without reducing breast tissue volume, unlike breast reduction surgery, in which excess breast tissue volume is removed.
• Creating symmetry in the breasts.
• Making the breasts firmer and putting them in a more beautiful shape
• Increasing the patient’s confidence, which is caused by beautification and rejuvenation of their breasts.

Who is a right candidate for breast lift surgery?

In general, breast lift surgery is beneficial for women who have such problems due to aging, pregnancy, or weight loss. Still, some of these conditions must also be met:

1. Being 18 years old or above: changes in body shape and breast size must be completed
2. Having good general health: It is necessary not to have diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
3. It is better not to get pregnant again: Pregnancy and breastfeeding can ruin the results of breast lift surgery.
4. Having healthy and elastic skin: Healthy and supple skin improves results.
5. Not consuming alcohol and tobacco.
6. The breasts must have been drooping and have lost their shape and volume or have become smoother and more drooping.
7. The nipples must have been located below the breast folds.
8. The nipples and areola have moved down.
9. The skin of your breasts must have been stretched.
10. One of your breasts must have been lower than the other (asymmetry in breasts)

If all or some of these cases are present, you are considered the right candidate for breast lift surgery. While breast lifts can be performed on breasts of any size, women with smaller breasts are likely to have more long-lasting results. Larger breasts are heavier, which can lead to potential problems again.

In the young women’s breasts, typically, there is enough tissue, and just a breast lift is enough to keep them in shape.

How to prepare for a breast lift?

Consult with an experienced cosmetic surgeon if you plan to have a breast lift surgery and worry about your breast’s appearance and sagging. Highly experienced Iranian plastic surgeons in GOMEDIRAN will help you make the right decision. By finding a skilled doctor specializing in mastopexy, you can safely expect the desired result of breast lift surgery. However, many women do not know whether they need breast lift or breast reduction surgery. To diagnose this, you must consult with a specialized plastic and cosmetic surgeon. However, a simple test can guide you a little before that:

A simple test to diagnose the need for a breast lift or breast reduction

Place a pencil horizontally under your breasts and leave it:

• If the sagging in your breasts is severe, the pencil will get stuck between your breast and your body and will not fall. In such a case, you may need a breast lift.
• If you feel that your breasts are large and not in good shape but did not hold a pencil; you may need a breast reduction.

procedure.

• If your breasts’ weight and shape do not support the pencil’s weight, this means that your breasts are in good condition, meaning that they are not loose, and you probably do not need to lift your breasts.

However, a thorough examination by a plastic surgeon is the surest way to find the best breast surgery. Sometimes you may need to do other plastic procedures alongside a breast lift to achieve the desired shape and size.

Breast lift procedure

To perform a breast lift surgery, your doctor will first mark the incision on the skin of your breast. The shape of the cut will vary depending on the needs and the techniques used.

The skin of the breast is then cut to remove the extra parts. By performing vertical incisions from top to bottom, the specialized surgeon can give the breasts a round and natural shape. Making an incision around the areola can be removed from its current location and returned to its original location. In the end, the cut corners of the skin are put together and sutured.

The surgeon determines where the incisions better to be made depending on:

• The shape and size of the breasts
• The amount of sagging
• The location of the nipple
• The areola sizes

The incisions are usually different in shape, but an incision is generally made around the chest aura to be moved. Furthermore, incisions are usually made vertically from the nipple to under the breast or horizontally in the breast’s skin.

What are the risks of breast lift surgery?

Like many other plastic surgeries, breast lift surgery has its potential risks and complications such as:

• Leaving a scar at the incision site: While the scars are permanent, they soften and disappear within a year or two. The bra and clothes usually hide breast lift scars. In some cases, the lack of complete healing can lead to thickening and widening of the scars.
• Changes in the shape or feeling of the breasts: While the breasts’ previous sensation usually returns within a few weeks, there might be a permanent loss or reduction of the sensation.
• Irregularities or asymmetry in the breasts’ shape and size may be due to changes in the healing process. Furthermore, surgery may successfully correct pre-existing asymmetry in the breast.
• Partial or total loss of the nipples or areola: In rare cases, blood flow to the nipple or areola is blocked during a breast lift. This can damage the breast tissue in this area, leading to a partial or total loss of the nipple or areola.

Like any major surgery, breast lift surgery carries a risk of bleeding, infection, adverse reaction to anesthesia, or allergic reaction to surgical materials and equipment.

Tips for preparing better after a breast lift surgery

The plastic surgeon will perform breast lift under general anesthesia. Follow these instructions before the operation:

• Avoid taking certain medications.Anticoagulants such as aspirin or antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements may increase bleeding. So stop using them a few weeks before surgery.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco one month before surgery. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and can delay the healing process.
• Take a bath the night before surgerybecause you should not take a bath for a few days after surgery.
• You should not eat or drink anything from midnight before surgery; you should be fasting in the morning of surgery so that your stomach be empty during breast lift surgery.
• Go to the hospital or clinic with a companion.
• Carry the medical garment previously prescribed by your surgeon.
• Wear loose and comfortable clothes.
• Go to the hospital without makeup and jewelryso that there would be no problem in the process of surgery and keeping the operating room sterile.

Tips for healing faster after a mastopexy

To reduce the side effects and get the best results from breast lift surgery, do exactly and precisely what your surgeon says and follow these instructions:

• Be sure to take the prescribed medications.
• Use a bra or a medical garment and silicone patches as recommended by your doctor from day one.
• Get enough rest and sleep: You should rest for up to two weeks. Avoid strenuous physical activity and do not bend or lift any heavy objects.
• Absolute rest is forbidden: Walking in the days that follow surgery will help you recover faster. You can raise your arms and move them.
• You can return to work after a week, but the breasts should not be put under pressure. For example, you should not drive if your hands press against your chest while driving.
• Do not smoke for a while to recover faster.
• Drink plenty of water and fluids
• Eat properly. Eat healthy foods that are rich in omega-three and antioxidants in addition to protein foods are very suitable for the recovery period after breast lift surgery.
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables; Pineapple and kiwi help stitches heal.
• Eat more fish and shrimp.
• Reduce salt and sodium in your food.

Deciding on breast lift surgery

Mastopexy surgery or breast lift is one of the most effective methods in beautifying and shaping women’s bodies. The results of this operation, in addition to firming, rounding, and naturalizing your breasts, also increase self-confidence and a good feeling towards your body. This method’s durability is very high, and it is rarely necessary to have this plastic surgery again.

However, there are some points to keep in mind before this surgery: First, the nipple and areola sensation may decrease or disappear after a breast lift. Of course, this also depends on many factors, including the plastic surgeon’s surgical technique and experience. Second, the operation scar remains as a thin, faint line in some people.

Third, breast lift surgery should be performed at least six months after breastfeeding as it may affect breastfeeding level. Fourth, it is better for longer-lasting mastopexy to have breast lift after losing weight and then stabilizing your weight. Finally, it is best to consult an experienced plastic surgeon about this.

How painful is the breast lift surgery?

Pain, swelling, bruising, bleeding, and internal secretions from the wounds are completely normal and will subside after a while. Breast swelling will significantly fade away in a few weeks and disappear entirely after a few months.

When can I see the breast lift results?

Although the results of breast lift changes can be seen from the day of surgery, the time to reach the final shape and size of the breast is not the same for everyone, so you have to be patient. Scars may disappear after six months or a year, depending on the skin type. In some women, a thin line will remain under the breasts which is not that evident.

Which is the proper sleeping position after breast lift surgery?

You might wonder how to sleep after surgery so that your breasts do not hurt. The best sleeping position after breast lift surgery is that do not put the breasts under pressure.

How can I prevent breast sagging?

You can prevent breast sagging to some extent to avoid cosmetic surgery. To prevent breast sagging, you need to eat well and avoid consuming too much fat. A proper diet is effective in preventing breast sagging.

Another useful thing in preventing breast sagging is regular exercise. With regular exercise and strengthening the chest muscles, the possibility of breast sagging at older ages is reduced. However, much of this has to do with physical and genetic conditions.

Breast massage with ice is one of the ways to prevent breast sagging. Breast massage with masks such as olive oil, pomegranate and mustard oil, and aloe vera gel is also a way to prevent breast sagging.