Aside from aging and gravity, women go through and experience a range of events and experiences that affect the shape and position of their breasts and nipples. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, heredity and fluctuating weight, to name a few. These things can cause the breasts to droop and sag, leaving them and the nipple area looking deflated and stretched out. This condition is called breast ptosis and most women will have ptotic breasts at some point in their life. Breast lift surgery, also known as mastopexy, can restore the breasts to their original position and enhance their appearance by making them appear fuller and firmer regardless of how much your boobs weigh. In addition to improving the appearance of the nipples and breasts, breast lift surgery will aid in the proper fit of garments such as bras and swimsuits.
Reasons for Breast Lift Surgery
Cosmetic considerations are typically the main reasons women get breast lift surgery. Breast ptosis can be distressing to many women, and this will sometimes affect self esteem and confidence level. The loss of fullness in the breasts to the point where they’re hanging low on the chest or torso, is upsetting to some women. This can also impact posture and movement, causing back or neck pain in the case of very heavy breasts. Another reason for breast lift surgery is the lack of other options, as exercise and other methods won’t be able to repair the sagging skin and its effects once elasticity’s been lost. The only effective and long-lasting solution for restoring the shape and perkiness of the breast is surgery. In some cases, the breasts may have been unusually shaped or asymmetrical to begin with, and breast lift surgery would be an opportunity to remedy that in addition to the lift.
How Breast Lift Surgery fixes Breast Ptosis
The procedure to lift the breasts and nipples called mastopexy, is performed by removing the extra, stretched out skin, and then reshaping the breast area, followed by placing the nipple in a more upright position, facing forward. The procedure helps to tighten the breast skin and breast tissues. The area around the nipple called the areolae, can be reduced, if necessary, to create an overall natural look, in proportion to the nipple and breast. Both the nipple and areola can be altered for symmetry, prominence, size, and even color. If you have inverted nipples, that can be adjusted as well. The surgery takes about an hour or two and is typically performed using general or local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. Most patients can return to work less than a week after the surgery.
Is Breast Lift Surgery right for you
Many women will make the decision to have breast lift surgery based on their particular circumstances and how it’s affecting their life. Having children and the whole process of gaining and losing weight and breastfeeding can wreak havoc on a woman’s body. This causes the saggy skin, enlarged/droopy nipples, and stretched out areola and breast skin. Your breasts could also develop a flat, elongated shape over time. There’s also aging and the inevitable effects of gravity causing sagging and loss of volume. The point in time when a woman is finished with childbearing or reached a certain age, may be when she decides the time is right. Other women may miss their youthful firm breasts and feel self conscious about the appearance of ptotic breasts. This will invariably affect the way they feel about their femininity and may affect their relationship with significant others.
Different Procedures for Breast Lifts
Cosmetic surgeons consider factors such as amount of sagging and existing breast tissue to determine incision technique and type of breast lift. After reviewing all the pertinent information, your cosmetic surgeon will advise you of the procedure that will produce the best results with the least amount of scarring. If you have a small amount of sagging or what is known as grade I ptosis, you can opt for a Crescent lift, also known as a nipple lift. A small incision is made above the areola and the nipple is moved to a higher position. This technique leaves minimal scarring. Another technique known as the Bennelli lift, also called Peri-areolar or Donut lift, corrects mild to moderate ptosis. It can also be used to reduce the area of the areola, and it’s considered less invasive than the other types. A circular incision is made around the areola to remove a small piece of tissue, and the remaining tissue is then reattached to the areola.
A common procedure that provides more lift than the Crescent and Bennelli is the vertical or lollipop. This type involves more reshaping of the breast as more excess skin is removed. An incision is made around the areola and another straight down from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease, but most of the scarring will be hidden. The most extensive method for severe cases of ptosis, where there’s excessive sagging and the breasts are hanging low, is called the Inverted T, Anchor Lift, or a full Mastopexy Breast Lift. Incisions are made similar to the Bennelli to remove excess skin, with an additional one along the area of the breast crease. The nipples are removed and repositioned during the process. There is more scarring with this procedure, but it fades with time and is not visible when wearing a bra or bikini top.
Finding the Right Cosmetic Surgeon
To get the best possible results, you will need a skilled and experienced cosmetic surgeon. Your surgeon of choice will be the most important decision you make. Before even visiting with potential candidates, you should check to make sure they are board certified. This will guarantee proper training and expertise in the required field. Also, you will be assured of your procedure being performed in an accredited facility. Price is often a major factor in the decision making process, but your health and safety should be paramount. Make a list of questions to ask potential surgeons, such as how many surgeries of this type have they done so far, and ask to see before and after pictures so you can do comparisons. You will get a feel for each surgeon’s style and your comfort level with them, through your interaction during the initial consultation.
For superior results of your breast lift, contact Dr. Douglas S. Steinbrech, one of New York’s leading cosmetic surgeons. He’s Board certified and specializes in minimally invasive aesthetics. Dr. Steinbrech trained for eight years in the areas of general surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery, at New York University. He was selected as one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons by the Consumer’s Research Council of America. In addition to breast lift surgery, Dr. Steinbrech performs breast augmentation and reduction surgery, liposuction, tummy tucks, and men’s surgery. Visit https://www.drsteinbrech.com for more information.