What is Breast Lifting?

After a pregnancy or weight loss, female patients may develop sagging of their breast from loss of volume or stretching of the skin. An implant alone will not correct this condition. A breast lift operation is the proper procedure in this instance. The goals of the breast lift operation are to elevate the nipple to its "ideal" location and to tighten up the skin "sling" under the breast and hold the breast in a higher position. A breast lift operation can be done with or without a concurrent breast augmentation.

How is breast lift surgery done?

There are several techniques used to lift the breast depending on the extend of sagging of the tissues. These should be discussed with the operating surgeon. The goal is to elevate the nipple and support the breast tissue in a higher position.

What is the recovery period like?

Different doctors have different protocols for their patients. In my office, we generally take bandages off and drains out within a few days of the surgery. This allows the patient to shower. Stitches come out in a week. While patients may resume non-strenuous activity as soon as they feel like it, more vigorous activity should be postponed until at least three weeks after the surgery. Some patients experience very little discomfort following a breast lift. Others may be uncomfortable for several days or even a week or more.

Who is an ideal candidate for breast lift surgery?

Anyone with loss of volume or sagging breasts may be a candidate for breast lift surgery. If the shape of the breast is good and the patient has simply lost volume then breast augmentation may be the answer. Ideally, the nipple should be located on the breast above the level of the crease of the breast and approximately 18 to 22 centimeters from the notch at the base of the throat. If the nipple is below this point then a breast lift is probably indicated as the procedure of choice.