Loss of skin elasticity, gravity and other factors such as weight loss, pregnancy and breast-feeding ultimately affect the shape and firmness of your breasts. Patients who are generally satisfied with the size of their breasts can have a breast lift to raise and firm them, resulting in a more youthful breast contour. Some patients may be unhappy that they have lost a significant amount of breast volume over time. In such cases, implants inserted in conjunction with a breast lift can increase breast size at the same time as the shape and position of the breasts are enhanced.

Am I a good candidate for a breast lift?

You may be a good candidate for breast lift surgery if you have one or more of the following conditions:

• You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight
• You do not smoke
• You have realistic expectations
• You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag, have lost shape and volume
• Your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous
• When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease
• Your nipples and areolas point downward
• You have stretched skin and enlarged areolas
• One breast is lower than the other.

What happens during breast lift surgery?

Your breast lift surgery can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques.
The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:

• Breast size and shape
• The size and position of your areolas
• The degree of breast sagging
• Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin.

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 - The incision

There are three common incision patterns:

• Around the areola

• Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease

• Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease

Step 3 - Reshaping your breasts    

After your doctor makes the incisions: 

• The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness.  
• The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height.
• If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.  
• Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.

Step 4 - Closing the incisions

After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed.
Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.
Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.

Step 5 - See the results

The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade.
Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for breasts which have been restored to a more youthful and uplifted position
My recovery
After your breast lift procedure is completed, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. You’ll need to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal.

The results will be long-lasting

The final results of your breast lift will appear over the next few months as breast shape and position continue to settle. Incision lines are permanent, but will continue to fade over time.
But, you’ll be able to retain your new look longer if you:

• Maintain your weight
• Keep a healthy lifestyle.