Breast Lift
What is it?
Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a popular surgery procedure to lift or reshape a patient’s breasts. It is usually performed to counteract the effects of gravity, lack of skin firmness, or simply give breasts an overall younger appearance.
As a cosmetic surgery, breast lift procedures can modify breasts shape, position and sometimes size. However, augmentation is an additional procedure. The breast lift itself deals with uplifting the breasts or nipples, rather than modifying their size.
As a breast reconstruction surgery, it may involve repositioning the areola and nipples. It may also involve the placement of breast implants, in which case it is also a breast augmentation surgery.
How is it done?
There are different types of breast lift surgery.
The traditional procedure is called full breast lift or full mastopexy involves an anchor-shaped incision that identifies the area of skin to be removed. This incision is formed by one circular area above the current location of the nipple (and where the nipple would be repositioned), a vertical stripe from this circular area to the breast crease, and a crescent-shaped area below the breast crease, following its natural curve. Skin in that area is removed, the areola and nipple are repositioned in the lifted breast, and incisions are sutured, lifting the breast. This technique allows maximal breast modification.
However, depending on the patient’s particular case and requirements, other techniques using fewer incisions, and therefore involving less scaring, are also possible. For example, in a concentric mastopexy or donut lift, skin is removed only around the areola, thus causing scaring only in that area. A crescent lift involves only a crescent-shaped incision above the areola, and in a lollipop lift, in addition to the donut-shaped incision, the vertical incision from areola to crease is also involved (but not the larger crescent incision beneath the breast used in the full mastopexy).
Is it for me?
Although it can involve size enhancement, breast lift surgery has been developed for patients who require lifting their breasts rather than modifying their size. If you have small, firm and well positioned breasts and want to enhance them, you may consider breast augmentation surgery instead.
As a general rule, ideal candidates for breast lift procedures should:
- Have overall good health
- Be over 18 (or have attained full breast development)
The most appropriate procedure really depends on each patient’s individual case. Sometimes a patient’s breasts are symmetrical and well-positioned, but the nipples are pointing downwards. In this case a crescent or donut lift are usually enough. But sometimes one or both breasts sag considerably for a number of reasons, and a full mastopexy is advised.
You are welcome to read our testimonials to find out what others are saying about the different breast lift surgery procedures and their results.
More questions? Contact us!
The best way to know the right procedure for you is to ask for a personal evaluation. If you are considering undergoing a breast lift or breast reconstruction procedure, please contact us. We care about your health and well-being. We will provide you with personalized advise on the most suitable breast lift procedures for your particular case.
