Breast Lift (Mastopexy)- An Effective Treatment for Breast Sagging (Ptosis)

Have you exhausted exercises to lift breasts? Want to know about breast lifting treatment? 

Sagging breasts or ptosis is a very common problem amongst women of all age groups. It usually happens when the breast ligaments stretch out over time due to various causes. 

The good thing is that you don’t need to live with the loose and saggy breasts forever. Instead, you can undergo breast lift surgery and significantly improve the shape and appearance of the breasts. Breast lift treatment removes excess skin from the breasts and raises them properly. 

At Pristyn Care, we have expert plastic surgeons who understand every woman’s wish to have fuller and perky breasts. Most women feel bothered by the appearance and feel of the sagging breasts. Still, they feel hesitant about breast lifts. So, here we have prepared a complete guide that will help you to understand all about breast lift surgery and its benefits. 

What is Breast Lift Surgery?

Breast lift, also known as Mastopexy, is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon removes the excess skin from the breasts to tighten them and repositions the nipples higher on the chest wall if required. The breast lift treatment helps to restore the youthful appearance of the breasts. 

There are many causes of breast sagging, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, age, gravity, and genetics. Regardless of the cause, breast lift surgery will address all your concerns in the most effective way. If necessary, a breast lift can also be combined with breast augmentation using implants to provide desired results. 

Reasons to Choose Breast Lift Treatment 

A woman can choose a breast lift surgery for the following reasons- 

• To restore the breast shape after they’ve sagged due to pregnancy and breastfeeding. 
• For improvement in the breast contour after major or significant weight loss. 
• To have younger-looking breasts with firmness. 

Who needs a breast lift?

The only way to know if you need a breast lift is by consulting a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. To determine whether you need a breast lift, the doctor needs to gather the following information- 

• Have the breasts lost their shape and volume? 
• Do your nipples point downward?
• Does the areola or nipple sit below the crease of the breast? 
• Do the breasts have an unusual shape or asymmetry? 
• Does the areola have stretched out of proportion? 

Breast lift surgery is not suitable for everyone. For some women, other procedures, such as augmentation or reduction surgery may be a better option. Therefore, during the consultation, the doctor will ensure that you are an eligible candidate for the breast lift treatment. 

What are the potential risks of breast lift surgery?

The breasts (mammary glands) are very sensitive. Thus, aside from bleeding and infection, there are other potential risks of having a breast lift. 

• Scarring– Though the scars fade over time in most cases, sometimes, if the woman doesn’t take good care of the breasts after surgery, the scars may become thick and wide. 
• Changes in Nipple Sensation– It is a possibility some blood vessels in the breasts get damaged during the procedure which may cause changes in nipple sensations. 
• Partial or Total Loss of Nipples– The blood supply in the breasts may get interrupted during the breast lift which may lead to partial or total loss of the nipple. 
• Difficulty in Breastfeeding- If the milk-producing glands are damaged during the surgery, there may be a problem producing enough milk. 

To avoid these risks, you should rely on an experienced and skilled plastic surgeon. A surgeon who has performed numerous surgeries throughout his/her years of practice will have ample knowledge to carry out the procedure safely. 

How to prepare for breast lift surgery?

During the initial consultations, the plastic surgeon will discuss your medical history, perform a physical examination, and discuss your expectations from breast lift surgery. 

Before the surgery, you may need to- 

• Schedule a mammogram to evaluate changes in breast tissues. 
• Quit smoking
• Stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, aspirin, etc. 
• Get to healthy body weight. 
• Ask someone to accompany you during the surgery and recovery period. 

On the day of surgery, you will be admitted to the hospital and asked not to eat or drink anything 8 hours before the surgery. The nurses will provide you with a change of clothes that are loose and comfortable. 

What happens during the procedure? 

A breast lift surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis and takes around 1-2 hours to complete. Here’s what the breast lift surgery entails- 

• You will be taken to the operation theatre (OT). The anesthetist will administer the anesthesia to put you to sleep. 
• The plastic surgeon will determine the technique for the breast lift. The types are- 

1. Crescent Lift is a minimal scarring technique used for women with only minor sagging. It involves making an incision around the edge of the areola in a crescent shape. 
2. Periareolar breast lift, also known as a donut lift is a technique that is used for mildly sagged breasts. It involves creating an incision around the edge of the areola in a circular shape. 
3. Vertical or lollipop lift corrects moderate sagging and works extensively to reshape the breasts. This type of breast lift involves two incisions, one around the areola and the other vertically from the bottom of the areola to the inframammary fold. 
4. Inverted T or anchor lift is used to correct a significant amount of sagging. It provides dramatic results. This technique involves using 3 incisions, the first one around the edge of the areola, the second one along the inframammary fold, and the third one vertically from the areola to the breast crease. 

• Once the incision is made, the surgeon reshapes the breasts as required. It is restructured to tighten the breasts and excess skin is removed to provide elasticity to the skin. 
• If the nipple repositioning is required, the surgeon removes the nipple and reattaches it correctly. 
• If the breasts have lost the original volume, an implant may be placed to provide the desired contour. 
• After achieving the results, the surgeon will close the incisions using stitches, staples, or surgical tape. 

Once the surgery is complete, you will be transferred to the observation room until the anesthesia wears off. 

What to expect after a breast lift? 

Immediately after the surgery, the breasts will be swollen and bruised. Due to this, the results of breast lift may not be clearly visible. You’ll have to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to keep the swelling and bruising to a minimum. 

A small tube will also be placed under the skin to drain excess fluid and blood that may accumulate during the surgery. The surgeon will also provide a detailed guide containing the specific instructions for post-surgery care, follow-ups, medications, and signs of complications. 

How long does it take to recover from a breast lift surgery?

Typically, it will take around 3-6 weeks to recover completely after a breast lift. The final results will appear in the next few months as the breast shape starts to align and the position becomes stable. Throughout the recovery period, you’ll have to follow the doctor’s advice to get the desired results. 

How bad are the scars after a breast lift?

Scarring is one of the major concerns for a woman after a breast lift. The scars remain prominent for a few days and fade away as the skin heals. 

Are breast lift and breast augmentation the same?

No. Breast lift and breast augmentation are two different procedures. Breast augmentation is done to increase the size of the breasts, whereas breast lift is done to improve the shape, correct the position, and address sagging in the breasts. But both of these procedures can be combined to provide a desirable shape and size of the breasts. 

How much does breast lift surgery cost in India? 

A breast lift surgery costs around Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1,25,000 approximately. Depending on the patient’s requirement, the surgeon may need to perform additional modifications which may increase the cost up to Rs. 2,00,000. 

Some key factors that affect breast lift operation price are anesthesia, operating room, doctor’s fee, hospitalization, tests, etc. 

Also Read: How Much Does Breast Lift Surgery Cost In India?

Is breast lift surgery covered by insurance? 

A breast lift is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered under insurance. However, if a breast lift is being performed as a part of reconstructive surgery, the procedure cost can be covered by insurance. 

Results of Breast Lift 

Once the breasts heal and the final results appear, it will be up to you to retain them. It is said that undergoing a breast lift is like resetting the clock for sagging. With age, the breast’s shape and size will change again. But if you live a healthy and active life and take good care, the results will last for 5 to 10 years. 

You should also understand that the results may be altered due to future pregnancies or weight fluctuations. If you have no such plans and wish to undergo breast lift surgery, book a free consultation with Pristyn Care’s experienced plastic surgeons.