As women age, lose weight, go through pregnancies, or have not properly supported their breasts, they may notice their breasts begin to droop. Breasts are made up of connective tissue, fat, and glandular tissue and can’t tone themselves, which can result in breast sag. A breast lift can help women whose breasts have lost shape and volume, become flat and elongated, or whose nipples that point downward.
If you want to restore some of the youthfulness of your breasts, consider having a breast lift, called a mastopexy. Dr. Pesta at Physique by Pesta is a licensed and board-certified cosmetic surgeon with over 20 years of experience helping women transform their bodies and boost their confidence through a personalized approach for each person.
Signs Your Body May Be Telling You It Is Time
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Noticing certain signs will let you know when to consider a breast lift, including the following:
- Your nipples and areola face downward or are below the breast fold. To address sagging nipples, called breast ptosis, cosmetic surgeons remove excess skin and reposition the nipple and the pigmented area around the nipple, the areola, higher for a more youthful appearance.
- Sagging after significant weight loss or after breastfeeding. During weight gain and when breastfeeding, the breast tissue becomes stretched with either fat or milk. Once a person loses weight or stops milk production, the stretched skin sags. A breast lift can help restore fullness.
- A flattened appearance. During youth, most women’s breasts have a full look on the upper part of their breasts. Age, gravity, pregnancy, and weight loss reduce the upper fullness of the breast, and a lift can help restore the upper pole fullness for a perky look.
- Noticeable asymmetry between the breasts. If one breast is sagging more than the other, a breast lift can help give you more confidence to wear form-fitting clothes, swimsuits, or cocktail dresses.
What a Breast Lift Actually Does
When you come to Dr. Pesta for a breast analysis consultation, he’ll help you determine whether you want a breast lift or breast augmentation. What is the difference? A breast lift gives volume and a youthful appearance to your breasts, while a breast augmentation adds size, either smaller or larger, to your breasts. Note that breast augmentations will add volume and shape but do not fix sagging breasts or drooping nipples. Some women may choose to combine both lift and augmentation for their desired appearance.
Dr. Pesta uses one of three breast lift procedures to help tighten breast tissue and place the nipples and areolas higher:
- Crescent lift. This procedure is best for women with minimal drooping and is the least invasive breast lift type. The doctor makes a small crescent-shaped incision above the nipple and lifts the area.
- Lollipop lift: For women with moderate sagging, the doctor will use this method. He’ll make a small incision around the areola and another vertically down the breast to lift and tighten the breast with minimal scarring.
- Anchor lift. Cosmetic surgeons use this procedure, called an inverted-T lift, to remove excess skin and tissue to address significant sagging. The surgeon makes an incision around the areola, vertically down the breast, and underneath the crease of the breast to lift the nipple and remove excess skin and tissue.
Who Makes the Best Candidate for a Breast Lift?
Dr. Pesta uses specific criteria for breast lift candidacy. While the doctor considers the above-mentioned signs that you may need a breast lift, he’ll also consult with you about your medical and lifestyle history.
Criteria for breast lift candidacy include:
- Non-smoker
- In generally good health
- Able to maintain a stable weight
- Not planning on becoming pregnant
- Have realistic expectations for the procedure and healing timeline
After the consultation with Dr. Pesta, he’ll recommend the best type of breast lift procedure and whether to also have breast augmentation to resize and reshape your breasts while addressing the sag or droop.
What the Procedure and Recovery Timeline Look Like
Most breast lift procedures take place on an outpatient basis. After preparing for the surgery, Dr. Pesta’s professional team will administer general anesthesia, and then the doctor will make the incisions, depending on the type of lift you’re having.
He’ll reposition the nipple and areola, remove excess skin, and apply sutures to the incisions. They’ll add a dressing and a specialized after-surgery supportive bra. Once you’ve recovered from the anesthesia, the doctor will clear you to go home under supervision. The process generally takes one to two hours.
In some instances, the doctor may use liposuction to remove excess fat to help him reshape the breast optimally.
Dr. Pesta will give you detailed instructions on how to care for your incisions and which activities to avoid. In general, you’ll want to restrict any strenuous activities for several weeks. This means minimizing lifting, stretching, or serious exercise. Many patients will notice swelling, bruising, and slight pain after their breast lift procedure. When you follow the doctor’s instructions for recovery, you should be back to normal within a few weeks.
How Long Does a Breast Lift Last?
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Once you’ve had your breast lift and followed the doctor’s recommendations for healing, you may wonder: how long will the mastopexy last? In general, expect your lift to last between 10 and 15 years when following a healthy lifestyle, not smoking, wearing proper breast support, and following the doctor’s instructions. Over time, you may want minor adjustments to your breasts to help you achieve your optimum appearance. Consult with Dr. Pesta for ways to maintain your breast lift and maximize its lifespan.
Get Ready to Transform Your Body
When you’re ready to transform your silhouette and boost your confidence with a breast lift, contact Physique by Pesta in the Detroit, Michigan, area. When you visit Dr. Pesta for your initial consultation, he’ll discuss your medical history and needs and schedule the right breast lift procedure for your unique body.
