What is Breast Lifting?

Breast lifting is the process of tightening up the skin of the breast to correct droop and looseness. It is usually a surgical procedure.


How is breast lift surgery done?

There are several choices of surgical technique. The choice depends on the degree of droop of the breast as well as your surgeon' s choice and experience. The most simple is to remove a donut shaped skin area around the areola. An outer and an inner circle is planned around the areola on the droopy side. Usually it is both sides, but not always. The skin is removed and the outer circle is joined to the inner circle creating only a circle for a scar around the areola. The next stage is to combine this with a vertical skin removal from the areola to the crease under the breast, if the droop is two much for the simpler procedure. If the droop is even more severe, transverse skin removal is done at the fold under the breast. Depending on the degree of droop and surgeon preference the transverse scar can go outwards or inwards or both. The full lift leaves the breast with a scar in the shape of an anchor. In some cases internal breast tightening procedures can also be done.


What is the recovery period like?

Recovery is usually quick and not very painful. Return to work can usually be done in a week. Stitches usually dissolve on their own.


Who is an ideal candidate for breast lift surgery?

You will need to be healthy and preferably fairly close to your ideal weight. You need to understand the procedure, the limitations, the risks and the scars. You should also have supportive and caring family members to help take care of you afterwards. The ideal person has usually finished her family, and does not plan to become pregnant again. Pregnancy and breast feeding often contribute to breast droop.


Are there risks and complications to a breast lift surgery?

All surgeries carry the risk of bleeding or infection and these are both very rare with this procedure. Bad scars can occur also. The main risk is that you might have unrealistic expectations. All breasts relax again after this procedure. The degree of relaxation varies, but it can lead to disappointment with the result. The details needs to be explained. Differences between the two sides can occur and poor wound healing can occur. Loss of nipple sensation can also occur.