Breast Uplift

A breast lift is a surgical procedure performed by a plastic surgeon to change the shape of the breasts. During a breast lift, a plastic surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes breast tissue to raise the breasts. A breast lift is also known as mastopexy.

You might choose to have a breast lift if your breasts sag or your nipples point downward. A breast lift might also boost your self-image and self-confidence.

Why it's done

Breasts change with age. They often lose firmness. And they become less elastic, which means the skin doesn't snap back into place after being stretched. There are many causes for these kinds of breast changes, including:

• Pregnancy. During pregnancy, the bands of tissue that support the breasts (ligaments) might stretch. This happens as the breasts get fuller and heavier. The stretching might cause sagging breasts after pregnancy. This may happen whether or not you breastfeed your baby.

• Weight changes. Changes in weight can cause the breast skin to stretch. It also can cause breast skin to become less elastic.

• Gravity. Over time, gravity causes ligaments in the breasts to stretch and sag.

A breast lift can reduce sagging and raise the position of the nipples. The surgery can also lift the darker areas surrounding the nipples (areolae). The size of the areolae may be made smaller to keep them in proportion to the newly shaped breasts.

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 fall below your breast creases when your breasts aren't supported

• 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 plan to become pregnant in the future, you might delay getting a breast lift. Your breasts could stretch during pregnancy and offset the results of the breast lift.

Breastfeeding may be another reason to delay a breast lift. Although breastfeeding is usually possible after the procedure, it may be harder to produce enough milk.

While a breast lift can be done on breasts of any size, those with smaller breasts will likely have longer lasting results. Larger breasts are heavier, which makes them more likely to sag again.

Risks

A breast lift poses various risks, including:

• Scarring. While scars are permanent, they'll soften and fade within 1 to 2 years. Scars from a breast lift can usually be hidden by bras and bathing suits. Rarely, poor healing can cause scars to become thick and wide.

• Changes in nipple or breast sensation. Sensation typically returns within several weeks. But some loss of feeling might be permanent. Erotic sensation usually isn't affected.

• An uneven shape and size of the breasts. This could occur because of changes during the healing process. Also, surgery typically doesn't change breasts that were different sizes before surgery.

• Partial or total loss of the nipples or areolae. Rarely, the blood supply to the nipple or areola can briefly stop during a breast lift. This can damage breast tissue and lead to the partial or total loss of the nipple or areola.

• Trouble breastfeeding. While breastfeeding is usually possible after a breast lift, some might have trouble producing enough milk.

Like any major surgery, a breast lift poses a risk of bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. It's also possible to have an allergic reaction to the surgical tape or other materials used during or after the procedure.