How Do I Know If I Need a Breast Lift?

With age and as the body goes through many changes in life, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight loss, breasts can lose their volume and youthful perkiness. As a result, many seek to undergo cosmetic enhancement procedures to restore their breasts' shape and fullness. One of such procedures is breast lift surgery. 

How do I know if I need a breast lift: When to consider it 

A breast lift, also called mastopexy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that gives breasts a firmer and more raised look. It involves removing excess skin to tighten the surrounding tissue and support and reshape the new breast contour. 

“But how do I know if I need a breast lift?” 

●     Your breasts sag or have lost their shape and firmness.

While there's no perfect breast shape or size, some women feel less confident about how theirs have changed with age or after losing weight or bearing a child.

Even if you didn't undergo major bodily changes, being unhappy with the shape or projection of your breasts is a good enough reason to consider the procedure. Other common complaints about breast changes include nipples pointing south, breast asymmetry, and enlarged areolas. 

●     You're having breast crease issues.

Rashes and infections can happen underneath sagging breasts. 

●     Sagging or drooping breasts disrupt your lifestyle.

From trying to fit into clothes, strenuous exercise, and sports training to intimacy in the bedroom, drooping breasts can get in the way of many activities. 

●     Saggy breasts are causing back, neck, and shoulder issues.

It's not uncommon for women to experience pain in their upper back, neck, and shoulders from their heavy, sagging breasts. A breast lift combined with volume reduction may help patients decrease the aches.

How many years does a breast lift last?

Generally, breast lift offers long-lasting results (10-15 years), though it varies from person to person. Aging, gravity, and further bodily changes can still affect the breast tissue. However, as long as you take care of your body, you can enjoy and extend your results for years to come. 

Do you have to get implants for a breast lift?

Depending on your circumstances, you may or may not need implants alongside your breast lift surgery. Certain factors may require mastopexy-augmentation, such as when the breast area skin lacks collagen and tissue firmness and when significant sagging can't sustain the implant in its position. The latter may even require breast implant revision to correct. 

Your surgeon will look at the following to determine the right treatment:

●     the degree of ptosis or sagging

●     the strength or resiliency of your skin

●     the degree of excess skin in view of volume

●     you desired volume

●     your size preferences 

If your plastic surgeon suggests mastopexy-augmentation for your case, it'll be helpful to know more about breast augmentation. Learning about the top three breast implant brands and different breast implant sizes, for example, can help you prepare for the procedure better.

Do I need a breast lift or just augmentation?

Should you get a breast lift? An augmentation? Both? Or something else? 

There's never a one-size-fits-all solution for every situation. Your starting point should always be with a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to walk you through the decision-making process and give you a realistic idea of what can be achieved. If you're interested in learning more about your breast enhancement options, contact us here at Burbank Plastic Surgery today.