In breast cosmetic surgery, the ultimate goal is to have aesthetic looking breasts. It is not possible to know which surgery will be appropriate according to the wishes and expectations of the person. For example, with some people who want breast reduction, the problem can be solved only by a breast lift instead of a breast reduction surgery, or the breast lift alone may not be sufficient for saggy breasts that do not have sufficient volume.
Breast lift surgery, also known as ‘Mastopexy’, is only performed to give shape to the breast and to remove sagging. That is, the aim is not to add volume to the breast. In this case, the desired fullness is achieved by breast prosthesis application together with breast lift surgery. In case of mild sagging, the nipple is moved to its normal position and the excess skin around it is removed. If the sagging is excessive, the loose skin is also removed from the lower half of the breast.
The aim of breast lift surgery is to shape the breast tissue and skin separately and to minimize the risk of scarring by closing the skin over the breast tissue without tension such that it is like a smooth cover without any load on.
Breast lift surgeries are surgeries with high patient satisfaction.
What is breast lift surgery?
The operation that reshapes sagging breasts is called ‘Breast Lift’ (Mastopexy). Breast lift gets rid of the sagging by removing excess skin and brings the nipple to the position it should be
Why is breast lift surgery performed?
Breast lift surgery is performed to give the breast a shape compatible with the body, and to ensure that the two breasts are symmetrical meanwhile making sure that scarring is minimal.
What can not be achieved with breast lift surgery?
Breast lift surgery cannot add volume to the breast, cannot change breast size nor it can make the upper part of the breast look fuller. For a fuller, voluminous appearance, both breast lift and breast augmentation surgery can be considered. On the contrary, breast reduction surgery can be applied in addition to breast lift for those with a larger breast structure.
Am I a suitable candidate for breast lift surgery?
• If you are in good physical health and have a stable weight,
• If you have saggy, but large enough breasts,
• If your breasts have lost their volume and fullness,
• If your nipples are pointing downwards,
• If your nipples are below the level of the inframammary groove,
• If there is asymmetry in your breasts,
• If you have one or more of these conditions and are uncomfortable with this, then you may be a good candidate for a breast lift.
What should I do before breast lift surgery?
You should inform your physician if you smoke, if you have any chronic disorders like diabetes, cardiovascular or blood diseases, and if you have pregnancy plan afterwards.
Under 40 years of age, breast ultrasound, and over 40 years of age, breast ultrasound and mammography should be performed.
Aspirin, vitamin E, fish oil or similar blood thinners, herbal teas, birth control pills should be stopped 10 days before the operation. Again, smoking should be avoided for 2 weeks before surgery, alcohol should not be consumed within 48 hours before surgery, diabetes should be under medical control, and food and fluid intake should be stopped 8 hours before surgery.
Step by step operation process:
Anaesthesia: Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia.
Surgical procedure: The sagging breast tissue is reshaped by making skin incisions with different techniques. In all surgeries, excess skin that has lost its elasticity is removed, and if the nipples are looking downwards, they are moved to where they should normally be. Breast tissue is raised to fill the upper quadrants of the breast.
What should I expect after breast lift surgery?
Breast lift is not a painful surgery. There may be pain for a few days after the operation. The pain is often mild enough to be relieved with simple painkillers. After the 3rd day, the pain starts to decrease.
Swelling may be present for a few days. Swelling starts to decrease after the 3rd day, rarely it may last for a few weeks. There may be mild bruising in the early period. It disappears spontaneously in a short time.
What should I pay attention to after the operation?
The bandages are removed on the 2nd or 3rd day after the operation.
Stitches do not need to be removed as they dissolve on their own.
You can take a shower on the 4th day.
A surgical bra is worn for 3 to 4 weeks.
Sexual intercourse is prohibited for 2 weeks.
You should not lift heavy objects for 2 months.
How much rest is required after breast lift surgery?
Home rest is recommended for the first week.
When can I return to work after breast lift surgery?
You can start working after one week.
When can I drive after breast lift surgery?
You can drive a car after 3 weeks.
When can I start sports after breast lift surgery?
You can swim in the pool or sea after one month. You can start heavy sports after 2 months.
What results should I expect after breast lift surgery?
It takes about one year for the breast to take its full shape and the scars to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions
In women, genetic tendency, aging, gravity, weight gain and loss, large breast structure, pregnancy and breastfeeding may cause incompatibility between breast tissue and skin, decreased skin tension, loss of breast fullness and shape. Sagging may also develop in the breast that loses its fullness.
Breast lift is an operation in which the sagging breast tissue is reshaped, excess skin is removed to support the breast and the nipple is brought to the position it should be.
If you have sagging but adequate sized breasts, if your breasts have lost their volume and fullness, if your nipples are pointing downwards, if your nipples are below the level of the inframammary groove, if there is asymmetry in the breasts and if you have one or more of these conditions, then a breast lift is necessary.
The type of surgery for breast lift is determined by your surgeon according to the patient’s condition and expectations. The size and shape of the breast; the size and position of the nipple; the degree of breast sagging; the quality of the breast skin, elasticity and the amount of loose skin are taken into consideration in the selection of the technique.
If it is necessary to add volume to the breast, a breast implant is applied together with the breast lift surgery. Thus, the desired fullness of the breast is achieved.
It takes 2-3 hours on average.
A breast lift is not a painful operation. The pain is often relieved with simple painkillers. After the 3rd day, the pain starts to subside.
Yes. A surgical bra reduces pain due to swelling, contributes positively to wound healing and allows the breast shape to settle.
A surgical bra is worn for 3 to 4 weeks after the operation.
You should wear the surgical bra day and night for 3 to 4 weeks.
You can remove your surgical bra during showering.
The most comfortable sleeping position is the supine position with the head slightly elevated. Those who prefer to sleep on their side should definitely use side support.
You can take a shower on the 4th day.
You can start working after one week, but you should not lift heavy weights for two months.
Heavy sports should be avoided for 2 months.
Yes, you should. It is recommended that you have the breast lift surgery after you have the desired number of children.
Since the relationship between the milk ducts and the nipple is preserved during breast lift surgery and the milk glands are not touched, breastfeeding is possible after breast lift surgery.
Weight gain during pregnancy and the breastfeeding process cause the ligaments that hold the breast tissue in place to loosen and the skin tension to decrease. As a result, the breast shape changes, its volume decreases and it sags.
It takes one year for the scars to fade. Scars become very pale even in 3-6 months with the application of cream and special tape.
Breast lift is an operation with the highest patient satisfaction and very rare problems in experienced hands.
In addition to the problems such as bleeding, infection, delay in wound healing that may occur after every surgery, there may also be asymmetry in the breast. However, these problems rarely occur in experienced hands. The sensation of the nipples is also preserved in experienced hands.
If you inform your physician about your desire to bear children and breastfeed before the operation, he/she will prevent any loss of sensation by using the appropriate technique to lift the nipple upwards during the breast lift.
With breast lift surgery in patients with sagging due to large breasts, medical and psychosocial problems such as neck and back pain caused by breast size, hunched posture, skin irritations and tissue bruises caused by the bra are eliminated.
You can return to work after a week. It may take up to a year for the suture scars to fade completely.
The breast shape is fully established within a few months after surgery.
It is possible to achieve permanent results with breast lift surgery. Over time, there will definitely be a change due to aging and gravity. Especially if pregnancy and breastfeeding occur afterwards, the breast shape changes, its volume shrinks and breast begin to sag. However, if the person maintains her weight and leads a healthy life, it is much easier to maintain the new breast appearance.
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