A keyhole-shaped incision above the areola is also made to define the new location of the nipple. Skin is then removed from the lower section of the breast. The areola, nipple, and underlying breast tissue are moved up to a higher position. The nipple is moved and incisions are closed with stitches (sutures).
What will my breast lift scars look like? As your incisions heal after surgery, your scars will initially appear as raised, red lines. They will eventually fade, flatten, and lighten to become even less visible.
The actual operation isn't painful as breast uplift surgery is usually done under general anaesthetic, so you're asleep during the operation. But your breasts will likely be sore and swollen for a few weeks after your operation. You'll be offered pain relief to help with any discomfort you have.
As a result, many women considering this procedure worry that the resulting scars will be highly visible. So is a breast lift without scars possible? Incision-less mastopexy (breast lift surgery) has yet to be developed, but it is possible to minimize the appearance of scars until they are barely noticeable.
A circumareolar lift uses a “doughnut” excision of skin around the areola. The result is a scar at the entire edge of the areola. The vertical breast lift utilizes a keyhole pattern with an incision around the areola and down the middle of the lower breast.
When a woman has minimum to moderate sagging, we are able to choose an incision that results in a less visible scar. Often for these women the best breast lift incision is the donut incision (minimal sagging) or lollipop incision (moderate sagging).
You will be awake but unable to feel pain. The surgeon will make 1 to 3 surgical cuts (incision) in your breast. Extra skin, and sometimes some breast tissue, will be removed and your nipple and areola may be moved. Sometimes, women have breast augmentation (enlargement with implants) when they have a breast lift.
Yes! The entire goal of a breast lift is to create results that look natural. The basic principle behind a lift procedure is to use the existing breast tissue to reshape and elevate the breasts.
Breast lift surgery is very effective for reversing sagging. Your doctor can remove excess skin to bring the sagging breast up. You may also want to have a breast implant inserted to make the whole breast look fuller.
Even after the swelling subsides, the breasts continue to settle into their final shape for up to a year after surgery. If a patient also has implants placed during the breast lift, they may appear too high on the chest shortly after surgery, but will drop into a normal position over time.
You will need to wear a sports bra with no under wire for 6 weeks, or until the doctor says you are clear to start wearing a regular bra. You can take a break from wearing the bra while you are in the shower, but it is very important to put it right back on after you dry off from the shower.
Complications after breast lifts are relatively rare. The main three are bleeding, infection, and scarring. Your surgeon will give you instructions for preparing that will help lower your risk of complications.
Breast Lift and Cup Size
Breast lift typically reduces bra size by one full cup. However, in a study featured in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it was suggested that this has less to do with a loss of volume than with a restoration of comfort.
While the incision(s) is thin, the breast lift scars will be very noticeable, with a red, raised appearance. As the wound heals, the scar will fade to pink and eventually turn white, as well as flatten out so it is no longer raised.
Even in patients with a history of poor scarring, this scar limb is rarely prone to keloids (scars that grow larger than the incision) or hypertrophic scars (red and raised scars). This scar is also the result of a very powerful deeper breast lift maneuver, so the benefits are definitely worth it.
"If you don't wear a bra, your breasts will sag," says Dr. Ross. "If there's a lack of proper, long-term support, breast tissue will stretch and become saggy, regardless of breast size." Still, both experts agree that multiple factors play into if and when sagging (technical term: "ptosis") occurs, bra-wearing aside.
Natural decline of estrogen
This reduced amount of estrogen causes the skin and connective tissue of the breast to become less hydrated, making it less elastic. With less elasticity, the breasts lose firmness and fullness and can develop a stretched and looser appearance.
While chest exercises strengthen and tone your muscles, no workout will give you the same lift in the breasts that surgery and other cosmetic procedures can. Instead, you might consider chest exercises if your skin elasticity is intact overall and you have minimum to mild sagging.
Patients typically are off work for three to seven days. There are no restrictions after three weeks postoperatively. It usually takes 6 to 12 weeks for the breasts to achieve their final shape.
A Breast Lift Surgery Can Reposition Your Nipple and Areola
In addition to surgically lifting the breast tissue to a more youthful and perkier position, this procedure also involves surgically repositioning your nipple and areola.
As with any procedure, the details of a breast lift recovery can vary from patient to patient. In general, most women can expect to feel well enough to return to work after 1 – 2 weeks, with the majority of their swelling resolving in about 3 – 6 weeks.
Breast contour and shape irregularities. Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent. Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications. Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
Breast lift surgery scars are very thin, like a fine pencil or pen line, as incisions are made carefully to avoid as much scarring as possible. Early after the incisions heal, scars may be temporarily raised and may look red or pink.
To decide which breast lift technique will work best for you, your surgeon will evaluate your concerns to determine the severity of your breast sagging. Based on that evaluation and your individual wants and needs, your surgeon will recommend the technique he believes will offer you the best results.