Doctors for Breast Lift Treatment

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a cosmetic treatment that is performed to improve the shape and appearance of the breasts. It can raise saggy breasts by changing their shape, size, contours, and elevation, giving a tighter, firmer, and more youthful appearance.

The treatment can successfully lift your breasts, make them symmetrical with each other, reduce the size of the areola (as required), remove excess skin and fat, and tighten the breast tissues effectively. Most women choose to get the treatment after pregnancy, but there can be other reasons for breast sagging, such as aging, genetics, weight loss, gravity, etc.

The ideal way to determine if you need a breast lift or other treatment is by consulting an expert plastic or cosmetic surgeon. But there are several questions that you can ask yourself to get a general idea if a breast lift is what you need:

• Does one or both of your nipples point downward?
• Is the nipple position slightly or significantly lower than the breast crease or inframammary fold?
• Do your breasts look asymmetrical?
• Do your breasts look uneven and hang very low?

These are the signs of breast sagging that will only get worse with time and age. If you feel that your breasts need lifting, have a detailed consultation with an expert surgeon.

Mastopexy or breast lift surgery can be performed through a variety of techniques based on the extent of modifications required in the breast. The types of breast lift are listed below:

• Crescent Lift Technique: This method is used to correct mild sagging in the breasts. It is performed through a tiny incision around the areola in the shape of the crescent.
• Donut Lift Technique: Also called peri-areolar technique, this type of breast lift is performed to correct moderate sagging in the breasts. It involves creating a circular incision around the areola to access the skin and tighten it up. This method also allows to raise the positive of the nipple.
• Lollipop Lift Technique: This method is also called vertical lift and is very effective in correcting moderate sagging while extensively reshaping the breasts. In this type of breast lift, two incisions are made, one around the areola and another one in a vertical direction, starting from the edge of the areola to the inframammary fold. This incision creates the lollipop shape, which gives the technique its name.
• Anchor Lift : Also called inverted T lift, this method is used to correct extensive sagging in the breast tissues and provide dramatic improvement in the overall shape, size, contour, and symmetry. Three incisions are made in this technique: the first one is around the areola, the second one is vertically from the areola to the inframammary fold, and the third one is along the breast crease. This method is considerably more invasive than other techniques but also provides the best results.

The right type of breast lift is chosen based on the patient’s requirements and personal goals.

To plan breast lift surgery, the doctor will take a detailed medical history of the patient and do a physical exam by palpating the breasts. The physical exam helps to examine the breast size, shape, position of the nipple, the quality of the skin, etc. For further evaluations, the doctor may recommend the following:

• A breast ultrasound to check if there are any breast lumps or other abnormalities.
• A mammogram is done to detect any early signs of breast cancer.
• A pregnancy test to ensure the patient is not pregnant, as pregnancy will have a significant impact on the breast and can compromise the results of the treatment.
• A blood and urine test to ensure the patient doesn’t have any infection and is overall healthy.

The results obtained from the above tests will help the surgeon to determine the potential risks and complications associated with the treatment. The doctor will also discuss your surgical goals and take photographs of both breasts from various angles to provide a before and after breast lift reference.

Many people believe that anyone can undergo cosmetic surgery, including a breast lift. But that’s not true. Before recommending breast lift surgery to an individual, doctors do a thorough evaluation of the patient’s health and try to understand their reasons for choosing breast lift.

If the patient is healthy and in a good state of mind, the doctor will further consider the following points to make the final decision:

• The individual has a BMI below 30.
• The individual doesn’t have a habit of smoking and must be willing to quit for as long as required.
• The individual feels bothered by the overall shape and size of the breasts.
• The individual doesn’t have any underlying medical condition that can compromise the surgery results.

Before proceeding, the doctor will explain the risks and benefits of the surgery in detail to help you make an informed decision.

The breast lift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and takes around 1 to 3 hours, depending on the extent of modifications done during the procedure. The steps involved in the surgery are explained below:

• Firstly, the patient is given anesthetic medicine, either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. Depending on the anesthesia used, the patient may be awake or asleep during the surgery but won’t feel any pain or discomfort.
• Then, an incision is made according to the technique chosen for breast lift – around the areola, vertically downward, and/or along the breast crease. As mentioned above, the incision pattern is chosen based on the extent of the surgery.
• The breast tissues are accessed through the incisions, and the required lifting and reshaping are done.
• If required, excess breast tissues and skin tissues are also removed during the procedure to improve the overall contour of the breasts.
• After making the necessary adjustments to the breast tissues, the nipple and areola are also repositioned.
• Once a lifted appearance is achieved, the incisions are closed using sutures, skin glue, or surgical tape. The breasts are cleaned and covered with sterile dressings.

The patient is kept under observation until the effects of anesthesia wear off. Then, the patient is sent home after giving detailed post-op care instructions and a follow-up schedule.

A breast lift surgery has the following benefits:

• It provides a firmer appearance to the breasts so they look elevated and young.
• The surgery allows the surgeon to improve the nipple projection and size without damaging the surrounding structures.
• A breast lift gives a more attractive appearance to the breast by improving the overall shape and contours.
• It addresses the signs of aging, post-pregnancy, and weight loss effects on the breasts.
• Breast lift surgery also resolves the issues faced by women due to saggy breasts, such as irritation, underboob sweating, rashes, etc.
• The surgery improves the emotional health of the individual as they will feel better about their breasts, and the treatment will also boost their confidence.
• The treatment allows women to engage in physical activities to further improve their physical health.

After breast lift surgery, all patients experience side effects like swelling, bruising, discomfort, redness, numbness, and mild to moderate pain in the treated area. These effects are only temporary and usually subside within a few weeks as the patient heals.

Besides these, some risks and complications may also arise during or after the breast lift surgery. These include:

• Infection may occur at the site of incision that may cause high fever, persistent pain, and blood or pus discharge.
• Some fluid or blood accumulation may also occur around the treated area.
• Anesthesia risk may also occur, such as aspiration, respiratory issues, etc.
• Breast asymmetry and irregularity in the breast contour and shape.
• Changes in nipple sensations which may be temporary or permanent.
• The wound may not heal properly, and abnormal scarring may occur.

Some other complications, such as DVT, fat necrosis, etc., may also arise after the surgery. Most risks and complications can be avoided by proper care, and if they occur, they will require proper intervention from the doctor. Therefore, patients are always advised to follow the doctor’s advice to ensure a smooth recovery and reduce the chances of developing post-op complications.

The recovery after a breast lift can take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks, and if the surgery is extensive, the complete recovery may take around 4 to 8 weeks. The exact duration will be different for each patient, depending on their individual healing abilities.

Throughout the recovery period, the patient will have to be very careful in following the doctor’s instructions to reduce the risk of post-op complications and recover as soon as possible. Some general instructions that will be given by the doctor will include the following:

• Take prescribed medications, including painkillers, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medicines, as directed to manage pain, reduce the risk of infection, and reduce swelling in the treated area.
• Wear the compression garment or bra as advised to support the chest muscles.
• Avoid all strenuous activities until the breasts heal completely, including lifting heavy objects, aerobic exercises, yoga, etc.
• Keep the body hydrated by drinking enough water and other fluids and eating a healthy and balanced diet to improve the body’s healing abilities.
• In the initial days, the patient will be advised to take ample rest and sleep and sit in a reclining position to keep the breasts in the natural position. This will also help to prevent fluid buildup in the treated area.
• Quit smoking until the healing is complete, and also try to avoid drinking alcohol as both these habits can impair the healing abilities of the body and prolong recovery.
• Until the recovery is complete, patients are also advised to avoid direct sunlight as it can cause hyperpigmentation or discoloration of the treated area. While going out, keep in mind to apply sunscreen and cover the treated area with proper clothes.

Most patients can resume daily activities within 2-3 weeks as the swelling goes down, but they still need to take several precautions to ensure the body heals properly.

The cost of breast lift surgery in India starts from Rs. 60,000 and can go up to Rs. 1,25,000 or more based on the extent of modifications required by the patient. The cost is determined on the basis of the following factors:

• The grade of ptosis or sagging in the breasts
• The technique used for breast lift
• The surgeon’s expertise and experience
• The choice of hospital and related expenses
• Diagnostic tests and evaluations done before and after the procedure
• Pre and post-surgery care and follow-ups

In several cases, breast lift is often combined with breast augmentation or breast reduction surgeries to provide the desired results to the patients. If the procedures are combined together, it will increase the cost of surgery. To get a specific cost estimate for a breast lift, talk to our experts.