Breast Lift
Who is candidate for the procedure?
You might consider a breast lift if:
- Your breasts sag — they’ve lost shape and volume, or they’ve gotten flatter and longer
- Your nipples — when your breasts are unsupported — fall below your breast creases
- Your nipples and areolae point downward
- Your areolae have stretched out of proportion to your breasts
- One of your breasts falls lower than the other
A breast lift isn’t for everyone. If you’re considering pregnancy at any point in the future, you might delay getting a breast lift. During pregnancy your breasts could stretch and offset the results of the lift.
Method of doing?
A breast lift can be done in a hospital or an outpatient surgical facility. Sometimes the procedure is done with sedation. In other cases, general anesthesia — which renders you unconscious — is recommended.
Recovery process:
- Arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery if you’re having outpatient surgery.
- Your breasts will be swollen and bruised for about two weeks
- Continue to wear the surgical support bra round-the-clock for three or four days. Then you’ll wear a soft support bra for three or four weeks. Your doctor might suggest using silicone tape or gel on your incisions to promote healing.
- Avoid straining, bending and lifting. Sleep on your back or your side to keep pressure off your breasts.
- Avoid sexual activity for at least one to two weeks after the breast lift. Ask your doctor when it’s OK to resume daily activities, such as washing your hair, showering or bathing.
- While you’re healing, keep your breasts out of the sun. Afterward, protect your incisions during sun exposure.
Results
You’ll notice an immediate change in the appearance of your breasts — although their shape will continue to change and settle over the next few months.
Initially, scars will appear red and lumpy. While scars are permanent, they’ll soften and become thin and white within one to two years. Scars from a breast lift can usually be hidden by bras and bathing suits.
You might notice that your bra size is a little smaller after a breast lift — even if you haven’t had a breast reduction in combination with the procedure. This is simply a result of your breasts becoming firmer and rounder.