What is Breast Lift?

Breast tissue consists of sebaceous and mammary glands, and there is no muscle in its structure. Over time, sagging, deformation and softness may occur in the breast tissue due to reasons such as frequent weight gain and loss, breastfeeding, aging, childbirth, gravity, and incorrect bra use. Women who have problems such as sagging, discharge, or loosening of the skin in their breasts often resort to breast lift aesthetics. Thus, a more upright and aesthetic-looking breast profile is obtained.

Breast lift is one of the surgical procedures performed within the scope of breast aesthetics. Breast lift aesthetics, which is one of the most frequently performed surgeries, is similar in principle to breast reduction surgeries. Excess skin tissue that causes sagging in the breast is intervened. Excess skin or a small amount of tissue is removed by breast lift surgery. The nipple and breast tissue, where sagging occurs, are shaped to obtain a more upright and fuller appearance.

Who is Breast Lift Applied to?

Breast python is evaluated in 3 different stages, and in first-degree cases, the nipple is located at the level of the inframammary line or 1 cm below the inframammary line. In second-degree ptosis, the nipple is located 1-3 cm below the inframammary line, but the nipple continues to face forward. In third-degree cases, the nipple has descended more than 3 cm from the inframammary line and faces downwards. Although the breast is loose and drooping, the cases where the nipple is above the inframammary line are considered pseudoptosis.

Breast lift surgery is often applied to women who are uncomfortable with sagging breasts, and loss of volume and shape of their breasts. If the nipple is not supported, breast lift surgery can be performed on women whose nipples are below the inframammary line, who have elongated, swaying or flat breast appearance, who have nipples and areola facing downwards, and whose one of the breasts is lower than the other.

During breast lift surgery, it may be possible to use different techniques as a result of patient-specific evaluations. It may be preferred to make an incision around the nipple, under the breast, or in an inverted T shape. While determining the technique to be used, the patient’s skin elasticity, chest structure and the desired result should be taken into consideration. As is the case with all surgeries, scars remain after breast lift surgeries. However, how many scars will remain and where the scar will be may vary depending on the technique used. The pedicure of the nipple can also be medial, central, lateral, inferior or superior, depending on the technique used by the surgeon.

In some cases, breast lift surgery alone may not be enough for the breast to reach its normal size. In cases where the breast tissue is insufficient, a silicone prosthesis can be placed during breast lift surgery to have larger breasts. In hypertrophic breast cases where the breast is larger and heavier than desired, it may be difficult to make the results of breast lift surgery permanent, so simultaneous breast reduction surgery may be on the agenda.

How is Breast Lift Performed?

Breast lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Upright-looking breasts can be obtained by placing silicone under the breasts with slight sagging, during breast lift surgery. If the sagging is excessive and there is a serious decrease in the elasticity of the breast tissue, it is necessary to intervene in the breast tissue. After the excess skin is cut and removed, the breast is given a round shape by reshaping the inner structure of the breast. The nipple is brought to the ideal position in accordance with the given shape and the breast is given volume. The patient will have more upright and fuller breasts. 

The most commonly used techniques in breast lift surgery are lollipop and reverse T incision techniques. The lollipop incision is made around the nipple. After the excess tissue is removed from the incision that goes down to the inframammary fold, the nipple is moved to the ideal point where it should be. This method is generally used for breasts with slight sagging. 

If the sagging of the patient’s breasts is severe, the reverse T incision technique is preferred. In addition to the incision in the lollipop incision method, another horizontal incision is made in the under-breast area. By removing excess breast tissue, the sagging appearance of the breast is removed.

Recovery Process After Breast Lift Surgery

Before breast lift surgery, mammography/ultrasonography is taken and a detailed physical examination is performed. Before the operation, the patient should stop taking blood thinners and smoking.

The recovery process after breast lift surgery is not a very painful process. In case of simultaneous prosthesis placement, the patient may feel pain, which can be relieved with painkillers, for a few days depending on arm movements. Generally, the bandage covering the chest wall is removed on the 3rd day after the surgery. After that, the patient should use a sports bra for the period specified by the doctor. 

Exercises and activities such as swimming that will use the arm should not be done for 1 month after the operation. It takes about 6 to 12 months for the swelling in the breasts to go down completely, for the shape of the breasts to settle, and for the scars to become obscure. Although this period varies from person to person, full compliance with the doctor’s recommendations ensures a healthy and fast recovery process.