What Is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift is a surgical procedure that can raise sagging breasts, giving them a perkier and more youthful appearance and reducing the size of the areola if necessary. A breast lift is accomplished by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breasts so that they are no longer sagging.
Sagging breasts is a condition known as breast ptosis and it has several degrees. A breast lift procedure does not significantly change the volume of the breast, it rather gathers the breast at a higher and more desirable position on the chest.
Most commonly, patients who seek out a breast lift procedure have breastfed, and this has resulted in loss of volume resulting in an empty skin envelope of the breast. This is sometimes called empty breast syndrome. We also see this in patients who have lost weight, and now the skin envelope of the breast is too large for the remaining volume.
In certain cases a mastopexy can be combined with an implant procedure to accomplish both an increase in volume and improved appearance of the ptotic or sagging breast.
To learn what procedure is right for you, make an appointment and our doctor will help you decide what procedure may accomplish your desired outcomes.
Benefits of a Breast Lift
- Improve self-esteem
- Achieve a perkier appearance of your sagging breasts
Good Candidates for a Breast Lift
You may be a good candidate for a breast lift if:
- You are at least 18 years old
- You are in good physical health
- You are not pregnant or breastfeeding
- You are unhappy by the sagging of your breasts due to breastfeeding, weight loss, or other reasoning
- You have breasts that are elongated with nipples that point downward toward the ground
- You have nipples that are positioned below the crease of your breasts
Planning for Your Breast Lift Consult
Come prepared to explain your expectations and potential concerns with our doctor during your consultation. You will have the opportunity to highlight your desired outcomes and the doctor will recommend a course of treatment that will most likely help you achieve those outcomes.
In order to recommend an appropriate procedure, we will first evaluate your general health status and examine and measure your breasts. We will also obtain a list of your medical conditions, drug allergies, and use of current medications, vitamins, and supplements, as well as your consumption of alcohol, tobacco or illicit drug use.
Preparing for Your Breast Lift Surgery
Prior to surgery, you will be given a list of instructions to follow in regards to eating, drinking, smoking, medication use and physical activity. You will also have to plan for another individual to be available to drive you home after your surgery.
Recovering from Your Breast Lift Surgery
After surgery, you will be given a list of post-operative instructions to follow for your recovery and you will schedule a follow-up appointment with your surgeon.
You may be advised to avoid various forms of physical activity for several weeks after surgery. It is normal to experience soreness and swelling following your procedure. You will continue to improve as the swelling reduces over the next several months.
Important Considerations of Your Breast Lift Surgery
- You will need to maintain the new position of your breasts by keeping a steady weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle
- Despite undergoing a breast lift, age, gravity, pregnancy and other factors can influence the long-term results of your procedure
- A breast lift will not have a significant impact on the size of the breasts, nor will it restore volume to the upper portion of the breasts
- Women who want breasts that are both higher and fuller often choose to undergo both a breast lift and a breast augmentation
Cost of a Breast Lift Surgery
The cost of a breast lift surgery is specific to each individual patient due to the uniqueness of each patient’s needs and desired outcomes. This is an elective surgery and is rarely covered by health insurance. NJ Aesthetic & Cosmetic Surgery offers several payment options including cash, check, and credit. Financing options are available via CareCredit.
Contact NJ Aesthetic & Cosmetic Surgery today to schedule your appointment.
Dr. Samuel Rafailov is triple board-certified in general surgery, cosmetic surgery, and facial cosmetic surgery located in Sussex County, NJ, who is very skilled and has a vast amount of experience with the Breast Lift procedure.
