Breast lift surgery

What is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift is a plastic surgery procedure designed to enhance the size, proportion, and youthful appearance of the breasts. It is commonly performed on individuals dealing with sagging or drooping breasts, rejuvenation after pregnancy and breastfeeding, enhancement of small or asymmetrical breasts, or for breast reconstruction after surgery. This procedure can significantly improve the shape and appearance of the breasts, helping to boost women’s confidence and self-satisfaction.

Breast Lift Methods

Breast lift techniques are generally divided into two main categories: surgical and non-surgical breast lifts. Below are some of the commonly used methods:

1. Surgical Breast Lift:

• Anchor (Inverted-T) Lift: This method involves a vertical incision from the bottom of the breast to the inframammary fold, along with an incision around the areola. It is suitable for breasts with significant sagging.

• Circumareolar (Donut) Lift: This technique involves a circular incision around the areola. It is appropriate for breasts with moderate sagging.

• Vertical (Lollipop) Lift: A vertical incision is made from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease. This method is ideal for breasts with mild to moderate sagging.

2. Non-Surgical Breast Lift:

• Injectable Fillers: In this method, small incisions and injectable fillers are used to add volume and lift the breasts.

• Laser and Radiofrequency Devices: These techniques stimulate collagen production in the breast skin, which helps tighten and lift the breast tissue.

• Absorbable Threads: Special threads are inserted into the breast skin to lift and contour the breasts, offering a non-invasive lifting effect.ز

Breast Lift Surgery

If the breasts have lost their shape, have severe sagging, or the skin around them is stretched, breast lift surgery can be a suitable option. Factors such as childbirth, breastfeeding, weight changes, and aging can cause breast sagging. In these cases, breast lift surgery can help restore a more youthful shape and appearance to the breasts.

Breast lift surgery is performed by specialized plastic and cosmetic surgeons and can be done using different techniques and stages. Below are some common methods:

• Classic Method (Anchor Lift): In this technique, the surgeon makes incisions in various areas of the breast to lift the tissues and shape the breasts. This method is suitable for breasts with severe sagging.

• Crescent Lift: A small crescent-shaped incision is made at the upper part of the breast. Through this incision, a small amount of excess skin is removed from the upper breast, and the breast is lifted. This method is appropriate for breasts that require minimal lifting.

• Vertical Lift (Lollipop Lift): A vertical incision is made from the bottom of the breast to the top. This incision is shaped like a “T” or a tube. With this method, excess skin is removed, and the breast is lifted into the desired shape.

Breast Lift with Threads

Breast lift using threads is a non-surgical method to improve the shape and aesthetics of the breasts. This technique is mainly suitable for breasts with mild to moderate sagging and serves as a non-surgical alternative to traditional breast lift surgery.

The breast lift with threads generally involves the following steps:

• Small Incisions: Initially, the surgeon makes tiny incisions at strategic points on the breast, usually around the areola or in various areas of the breast skin.

• Absorbable Threads: Then, absorbable threads (usually made of polypropylene) of appropriate length are inserted into the breast tissue. These threads are introduced with a needle and, after placement, gradually absorb while creating tension and tightening the breast skin over time.

• Adjustment and Shaping: By pulling and tightening the threads, the breast skin is modeled into the desired shape. This process helps enhance breast contour, tighten skin tissues, and create a more youthful and better-shaped breast appearance.

Advantages of the thread lift include no need for large incisions, shorter recovery time, no requirement for general anesthesia, and lower risk of infection. However, potential side effects may include bleeding, stiffness and inflammation in the treated area, localized skin irritation, and possible sensitivity to the threads.

Breast Lift Garment

Yes, wearing a breast lift garment after breast lift surgery can be very effective. The breast lift garment helps in two main ways:

• Maintaining Breast Shape and Position: By compressing the breasts, the garment usually holds them upward, preventing sagging. It also helps center the breasts on the chest, improving their shape and making them look more firm.

• Reducing Pain and Swelling: Wearing the breast lift garment after surgery can help reduce pain and swelling caused by the procedure. Proper compression decreases bleeding and inflammation at the surgical site and supports faster healing and recovery of the breasts.

Typically, after breast lift surgery, the surgeon will recommend using a breast lift garment. These garments are usually made from soft, elastic materials and are customized to fit the size and shape of your breasts. The design and duration of use depend on the surgeon’s advice and your individual needs, but generally, the garment should be worn for a specific period, often several weeks.

How is a Breast Lift Performed?

A breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgical procedure designed to tighten and improve the shape of the breasts. Different surgical steps are performed on the breasts to tighten the skin and lift them to a desired position. Below is a brief overview of the typical stages involved in a breast lift:

• Consultation and Assessment: At this stage, you meet with a specialized plastic surgeon to discuss your needs and expectations regarding the shape and size of your breasts. The surgeon evaluates the current condition and shape of your breasts and recommends the most suitable breast lift technique for you.

• Anesthesia: Before surgery, you will undergo anesthesia. The type of anesthesia used (general or local) depends on the surgeon’s recommendation and your preferences.

• Incisions: The surgeon makes strategic incisions on the breasts. The placement of these incisions depends on your breast size, shape, and specific needs. Commonly, incisions are made around the areola and underneath the breast.

• Breast Tissue Lifting: The surgeon lifts the breast tissue upward, reshaping and elevating the breast to the desired position. This includes repositioning the nipple and areola higher on the breast, tightening breast tissue, and resizing the areola if needed.

• Skin Adjustment: Excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin is tightened to fit the new breast contour.

• Closing Incisions: Finally, the incisions are closed with specialized stitches on the chest wall and skin to ensure proper healing of the scars.

Cost of Breast Lift Surgery

The cost of breast lift surgery can depend on several factors, including the geographic location of the clinic, the surgeon’s expertise and experience, the complexity of the procedure, and the hospital and equipment fees.

Generally, the cost of breast lift surgery abroad ranges from $3,000 to $12,000. In Iran, this cost can vary between 10 million to 50 million Tomans. However, this is only an approximate estimate, and the actual cost may differ based on individual circumstances.

For a precise cost estimate, you should consider the following:

• Surgery-related fees (including the operation itself, pre- and post-operative examinations, medications, and consumables)

• Hospital fees (such as hospitalization, use of equipment, and necessary tests)

• Post-surgery supplies (including bandages, breast support garments, and medications).

Breast Lift Side Effects

As with any other surgery, a breast lift may come with some side effects and complications. However, most of these side effects are relatively short-term and usually improve with following the doctor’s instructions and proper care. Some possible side effects include:

Bleeding: After breast lift surgery, bleeding from the incision sites may occur. This bleeding is usually observed in the first days after the surgery and is generally controlled with bandages and gentle pressure. If the bleeding is severe or increases over time, you should inform your doctor.

Infection: Any surgical procedure carries the risk of infection. If you notice signs of infection at the incision sites such as severe pain, swelling, redness, unusual discharge, or fever, you should inform your doctor so they can examine you and prescribe appropriate treatment if necessary.

Swelling and headache: After a breast lift, your breasts may swell and you may experience temporary pain and headache. These side effects usually improve within the first few days after surgery. Using medications prescribed by your doctor and proper rest can help reduce these symptoms.

Sensation changes: Some patients experience changes in breast sensation after a breast lift. The breast sensation may become dull, or in some cases, pain or increased sensitivity may occur. These sensory changes usually improve over time, but in some cases may persist longer or not fully resolve.

Nodule formation or blockage: In some cases, new nodules may form in the breasts or access to some lymph nodes may be blocked after a breast lift. Unfortunately, providing a precise answer about this without more detailed information is not possible.