Learn How A Breast Lift Rejuvenates The Look Of The Breasts

As a woman ages, it is common for her to experience some sagging in the breast area. The breasts can also sag or droop due to other factors such as breastfeeding, weight loss and multiple pregnancies. Many patients are not happy with the appearance of their breasts and they might have overhanging skin or nipples that have a low position. For women suffering from any of these conditions, a breast lift is often a good option to address the issue.

Cosmetic TV recently took a look at breast lifts and how they are performed:

What is a Breast Lift and how is it Performed?

A breast lift, AKA a mastopexy is performed to enhance and/or rejuvenate the appearance of the breasts. A youthful breast is one where the nipple-areola complex is centered on the breast mound and there is not any skin that is hanging over the area due to drooping.

When it comes to performing a breast lift, there are many options available to patients. The technique used by the surgeon depends on the results desired by the patient. Breast lift options include:

Crescent Lift is a breast lift done at the same time as a breast augmentation. The surgeon takes a small crescent of skin above the areola and shifts it upward by about a centimeter. This technique is best for smaller adjustments in areolar positioning.
Lollipop Lift is a method that creates a circle scar at the edge of the areola in addition to a line that runs downwards on the lower breast. It reshapes the breast and is effective for moderate to severe drooping.
Circumareolar or Periareolar Mastopexy is when a circle is made around (or within) the areola and then a bigger circle is made around that area. The doctor takes the doughnut of skin, between the two, and tightens the larger circle down to the size of the smaller circle through the use of a “purse-string” suture. Any scar is simply a circle scar at the edge of the areola. This technique is limited in regards to how much of the breast can be tightened but it can raise the areola position by a few centimeters.
Inverted T Lift is also known as an anchor scar or Wise pattern. The scar goes around the areola, down the lower breast and then underneath the breast in the breast crease. It is a good option for skin removal on patients with a lot of overhang and excess skin.

With all of the above techniques, the nipple remains connected to the underlying breast tissues and is shifted without detaching it. Tightening the skin causes most irregularities to go away or look less noticeable.

In addition to the steps listed above for the various techniques, the surgeon performing the breast lift must maintain the blood supply to the nipple on the underlying breast tissue while still keeping the underlying breast tissue oriented from the chosen direction. Some doctors like to maintain it from the bottom of the breast while others maintain it from the top or the upper middle. As long as there is a good amount of blood supply to the nipple, the surgeon can move the tissue around.

Patient Breast Lift Concerns

According to Dr. Farbod Esmailian, a plastic surgeon located in Orange County, California there are many factors patients must consider when deciding on which breast lift procedure to undergo. He said “There are several different types of breast lifts and the type that a patient needs depends on how stretchy or loose the skin envelope is and the location of the nipple/areola complex in terms of how far below the breast tuck it is located.”

In addition, Dr. Esmailian says “some patients are considered borderline for a lift and may be happy with the results from breast implants. They can get the implants and reevaluate their results in 4 months. However, patients that only have implants will likely be disappointed as the breast tissue and nipple/areola complex will not be in the desired location after the procedure.”

Cost and Results of a Breast Lift

The overall cost of a breast lift depends on the technique that is performed by the doctor, the area of the country where the surgery is performed and any fees charged by the surgeon or the facility. A breast lift can cost from $5000-$12,000 and, as mentioned earlier, the type of technique performed make a difference in the total cost.

The recovery process is fairly easy since the doctor is dealing with soft tissue. Patients can return to light work within a week. Any scar tissue takes about six to twelve months for the pinkness to fade completely. It is hard to say how long the results will last as droopy breasts lose their perkiness as a person gets older (even after a breast lift). The length of the results also varies thanks to genetics and if fat grafting or implants were done during the surgery.

Patients can choose to have another breast lift at some point in the future to maintain the youthful appearance of the breasts. The surgeon can use the original scars to take out more skin.

Choose a Board-Certified Doctor

Patients need to schedule a consultation appointment with a surgeon experienced in performing breast lifts. They should also ask to see “before and after” photos in order to get a better idea of the skill level of the surgeon they are visiting to perform a breast lift procedure.