Breast lift surgery can deliver both functional and aesthetic benefits. Breastfeeding, weight loss, and ageing are three of the most common reasons for sagging breasts. For some, breast lift surgery is a great way to lift breasts into a perkier, more youthful position. A breast lift is ideal for someone looking for a lift, rather than an increase in volume, such as you would find with breast implants or fat transfer.
What is a Breast Lift?
A mastopexy is also known as a breast lift. Over time, it’s 100% normal for breasts to lose firmness and shape. Whether it’s breastfeeding, ageing or just gravity taking its toll on your body, several things can affect your breasts. as you can probably guess, breast lift surgery can lift your breasts, reshape them and leave you with a perkier pair.
Breast Lift: Quick Overview
- Surgery Time: 2 hours
- Anaesthetic: General
- Hospital Stay: Same-day
- Dressing and Garments: Dressings changed at 1 week and removed at 2 weeks, wear compression garment for 6 weeks
- Time Off Work: 1-2 weeks
- Exercise: 6 Weeks
- Mobile: 1 day
- Washing: At least 72 hours
- Sleeping Position: On back up to 2 weeks
- Full Recovery: 6 weeks
What Happens During Breast Lift Surgery?
There are different techniques with a breast lift, and the best one really depends on your body and the results you’re looking to achieve. During the procedure, your surgeon will make several cuts around the breast.
In general, an incision is made around the areola or along the breast creases. Your surgeon will then reshape your breasts and remove any excess skin or fat. Skin will be removed from around the areola or underneath the breast. They will then tighten the remaining skin and reshape your breasts into a cone shape. If needed, your surgeon will reposition the nipple or change the size of your areola so that they align with your new breast shape. After the operation, your surgeon will close all incisions with stitches. They may also wrap your breasts if needed. This is to help keep your breasts in their new position while you heal.
Why Have a Breast Lift?
As you age, breasts naturally droop. After weight loss and pregnancy, it’s common to experience sagging. A breast lift can make your breasts higher which can make you look younger. Many patients have a breast lift because they want to revert sagging and achieve a perkier look.
What Results Can You Get From a Breast Lift?
A breast lift alone won’t increase your breast size. But a lot of our patients find that a breast lift gives the appearance of fuller and more shapely breasts. Premature or excessive sagging can really impact your confidence and how you feel about yourself when you look in the mirror. Some women find that a breast lift can make them feel rejuvenated and boost their self-esteem.
If you’re considering getting a breast life, here are some of the results you can expect:
- Perkier breasts
- More confidence
- Feminine and natural breast position
- Remove sagging
- Fuller shape
- Restore breast position
How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Breast Lift?
It’s normal to feel swollen after your surgery. You may wake up with drainage tubes, but these are usually removed before you go home. You will need someone to drive you home after the operation.
You will need about 2 weeks off work to recover from a breast lift. You shouldn’t lift anything heavy or have sexual intercourse for 2 weeks. After about 2 weeks, you should be able to resume gentle activity. After 6 weeks, you should be back to normal. You can drive once you feel comfortable wearing a seatbelt. Until this, you should avoid driving.
You may need to wear a support bra or firm dressing for the first couple of weeks following your surgery. If you have soluble stitches, they will dissolve on their own. If you have non-soluble stitches, your surgeon will remove them 10-14 days after your surgery.
Breast Lift or Breast Augmentation: Which Should You Choose?
Breast surgeries are a common type of plastic surgery in the UK. You need to choose the right treatment for you and the result you’re looking to get. A breast lift isn’t designed to increase breast size. Whereas, breast augmentation can increase breast size through either breast implants or fat transfer surgery.
In some cases, women combine breast augmentation and a breast lift to achieve a bigger size while lifting the breasts. If you are happy with your breasts’ size, you’re more likely to opt for a breast lift. However, if you have always wanted a bigger cup size, combining the two treatments into one surgery is a great idea.
You must research your options and speak to a certified plastic surgeon. Your surgeon can explain all the different choices you have. You can then make a fully informed decision and determine the best procedure and timeline.
When Can You See the Final Results of a Breast Lift?
It can take several months for the swelling to go. Over the next few months, your breasts will gradually settle into their new position. Most patients start to see the final result between 6-12 weeks. Your scars are permanent but will fade over time.
Are the Results of a Breast Lift Permanent?
For some, the results of a breast lift are long-lasting. For others, they may require minor adjustments. This is because the results of your breast lift depend on a few factors like genetics, age, health, and diet. You can make the most out of your breast lift results by doing the following:
- Looking after your skin
- Maintain a steady weight
- Wear a supportive bra
Breast Lift Before and After
6 Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery
If you’re looking to rejuvenate your breasts and achieve a perkier, fuller shape, then breast lift surgery may be suitable for you. But a breast lift doesn’t just benefit the look of your breasts. Here are six benefits of breast lift surgery.
1. Reduce Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain
A breast lift may help to reduce back, neck, and shoulder pain. Sagging breasts may contribute to chronic back pain, especially in the lower back. In general, the weight of your breasts can put added pressure on your back and neck. If you suffer from back and neck pain because of your breast positing, a breast lift could help your pain.
2. Increase Energy
By removing excess skin and alleviating back pain due to sagging breasts, this could leave you with higher energy levels. Of course, immediately following your surgery, you will feel tired. But in the long-term, breast lift surgery can increase energy levels.
3. Less Hunching
Another benefit of the procedure is less hunching. A breast lift can reduce sagging while removing excess skin, all helping to minimise hunching associated with heavy breasts. If you find yourself hunching significantly, this can be a sign of large breasts, and you may wish to consider breast reduction surgery.
4. Better Size and Shape
A major benefit of a breast lift is to do with the size and shape of the breasts. Following breast lift surgery, you can expect to see an improvement in size and fuller breasts. Your surgeon can also reposition the nipple and provide a perkier and more youthful position.
5. Improve Breast Symmetry and Contours
If you find that you have asymmetrical breasts or just want to improve the contours of your body, a breast lift is ideal. The surgery can improve symmetry and this results in a significant change in the body’s contours.
6. Fine Line and Faded Scars
Finally, the incisions made during a breast lift are extremely thin. This means that over time your scars will fade and eventually be flat and fine lines. Naturally, this process takes time so allow your body time to heal following your surgery.
The benefits of breast lift surgery go beyond how your breasts look but can reduce back pain and hunching. If you want to rectify breast sagging, volume, and shape, breast lift surgery may be the best way to do this.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?
A good candidate for a breast lift is near their ideal weight and have maintained that weight. You should be in good health, a non-smoker, and have realistic expectations of the procedure. If you find that your nipples point downwards, you are likely a good candidate for a breast lift.
Breast Lift Risks and Complications
Potential breast lift risks and side effects include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Hematoma
- Anaesthesia risks
- Skin and or fat/necrosis
- Fluid accumulation
- Pain
- Swelling
- Poor wound healing
- Poor scarring
- Nerve injury
- Contour irregularity
- Seroma
- Over/under correction
- Asymmetry
- Damage to other structures
- DVT
- PE
- Chest infection
- Changing in nipple sensation
- Breast shape irregularities
To book a consultation today, please call 0203 582 4947 or email [email protected].
Further Breast Lift Reading:
- 6 Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery
- A Quick Guide to Breast Lift Surgery
- What Causes Breast Asymmetry?
- Is a Doughnut Breast Lift Right for You?
- How Long for Breast Lift Incisions to Heal?
- 5 Easy Ways to Maintain Perky Breasts After a Breast Lift
- Breast Lift Recovery Stages: Timeline & Tips
- How Long Does A Breast Lift Last?
- 6 Signs of Infection After Breast Surgery