In some women after pregnancy and breast feeding or due to massive weight loss or aging, the breast tissue slides off the chest wall muscles due to gravity and comes to lie at a lower level.

These patients will benefit from a breast lift surgery where the plastic surgeon reshapes the sagging tissues to lift the breast back to where it used to be and produce a round supple breast mound. This procedure also involves anchoring of the breast tissue to the chest wall so as to prevent re-descent of the breast tissue with gravity. If your breast is very large then a breast reduction surgery will be combined with the breast lift. In case the remaining breast tissue is very less or the patient desires larger breasts then breast augmentation can be combined with the breast lift.

Who is a candidate for Breast lift surgery?

The ideal candidate is a woman with small sagging breasts. Though breasts of any size can be lifted, a very heavy breast may not have as long lasting results.The women should be healthy, within the appropriate weight range and emotionally stable.

You should not be planning any more pregnancies as the breasts are likely to stretch again with breast feeding and will undo the results of the previous breast lift.

How to prepare for my Breast Lift surgery?

When you come in for your first consultation, your surgeon will ask you to describe your ideal size. You may bring along photos of the type of breast you want. Though it may not be possible to meet all your expectations with the surgery, we will do our best to give you a well shaped, younger looking breast.

How is Breast Lift surgery performed?

There are different surgery techniques which can be used to perform a breast lift. Your surgeon will choose the procedure which best suits your breast and which has given good results for previous patients.

The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia,i.e., you will be put to sleep throughout the surgery. The procedure can take from 2 to 4 hours to perform. The incision lines for breast reduction surgery circle the areola( the darker skin surrounding the nipple), along the midline of the breast to the breast crease, and then along the breast crease. In some cases your surgeon may choose to eliminate the scar in the breast crease.

During surgery, excess skin is removed from around the nipple. The nipple can then be moved up into its new position without removing it. The patient’s drooping breast tissue is re-shaped and anchored up on the chest wall. This creates more fullness in the upper part of the breast, giving a more youthful appearance.

Breast lift along with Silicone implants - Augmentation Mastopexy

Some patients who have significant loss of breast tissue will need additional volume to achieve a full round shape of the breast. For these patients a breast implant can be put in.If a breast implant is being placed at the same time as the breast lift, it can be placed directly below the breast tissue or at a deeper level, under the chest wall muscle.

The procedure takes 2-4 hours to perform depending on the complexity of the surgery.

What to expect after breast lift surgery?

Recovery after breast lift surgery takes upto 3 weeks. You will be discharged home after 2-3 days in hospital. Your breasts will be bruised swollen and sore for a few days and appropriate painkillers will be prescribed.

Initially strong tapes or elastic bandages will be applied to your chest. These will be replaced by a support bra after a week. The stitches, if any are taken on the skin, will be removed after 10-14 days. After discharge you will need to rest at home for a week and not perform any strenuous activities. You should have someone who can look after you during this period.

After 2-3 weeks you can start exercising your lower body, walking. However upper body workouts, running, swimming can only be resumed after a month. Your breasts and nipple might feel numb for the first few months. The sensation will return over the course of the year but may be permanent in some patients. Breast lift surgery does leave permanent scar, but they are usually covered within the bra.