BREAST LIFT
Breast lift surgery is an aesthetic procedure that aims to lift sagging or misshapen breasts, giving them a more youthful, firm and aesthetically pleasing appearance. This procedure reshapes the breasts, creates symmetry and ensures they are in proportion with the rest of the body.
Treatment Process
2 - 5 hours
1 day
7 - 10 days
6 - 8 weeks
Breast Sagging
Throughout a person’s life, the effect of gravity on aging and tissue deformation is undeniable. Women may develop sagging breasts (ptosis) due to factors such as excessively large breasts, sudden volume loss, or weak skin elasticity. Breast sagging often occurs in combination with either complete emptying of the breast tissue or excessive breast size. It is less common to see sagging in breasts that are of normal size.
What Are the Causes of Breast Sagging?
- Tissue quality and genetics are highly determinative. In young patients, when factors like breastfeeding or significant weight loss are not involved, low tissue quality plays a critical role in breast sagging.
- Smoking is the most significant external factor that damages skin quality.
- The effect of gravity is unavoidable and constantly present. Therefore, continuous use of a supportive bra can help reduce this effect noticeably.
- Repeated pregnancies and prolonged breastfeeding periods appear to be the most important factors triggering sagging.
- Significant weight loss is also an important contributing factor.
- Women with fibrocystic breast disease or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to experience breast deformities.
Patient Reviews
Breast Lift Surgery
If sagging occurs along with large breasts, meaning that both breast reduction and simultaneous lifting are required, the solution is a Breast Reduction Surgery. This is because every breast reduction surgery simultaneously functions as a lift since the nipple position and breast shape are reconstructed.
If sagging occurs along with small breasts or breast involution (loss of volume), a breast implant combined with a lift should be performed. This procedure can also correct asymmetry and size differences between the breasts and is called Augmentation Mastopexy.
Different techniques are used in breast lift surgery. In our preferred method, the breast tissue is not touched at all, preserving all its functions postoperatively. Additionally, an internal “bra” is created from subcutaneous tissues during the surgery, which helps maintain the lifted position of the breasts for a long time.
Rarely, sagging occurs in breasts with sufficient tissue. In these patients, a small-volume implant may be recommended to maintain the lifted shape in the medium to long term. The shape and characteristics of the implant must be carefully discussed between the patient and surgeon before the surgery.
The presence of common fibrocystic breast disease results in minimal volume loss after surgery, as the fibrocysts provide a firm and resilient structure. In these patients, a breast lift alone provides excellent results.
Will There Be Scars After Breast Lift Surgery?
In general, breast lift surgeries are scar-forming procedures. However, with proper scar care, the scars are usually barely noticeable within about 2 years and do not bother the patient. It should be noted that patients prone to hypertrophic scarring may develop scars of varying degrees.
In rare cases where sagging is minimal or only around the nipple, a periareolar mastopexy can be performed using incisions around the areola, leaving minimal to no visible scars. However, periareolar mastopexy is not a highly effective method, as it may cause the areola to enlarge over time.
What Is the Preoperative and Postoperative Period Like for a Breast Lift?
If the patient is a smoker, smoking must be completely stopped at least 3 weeks before surgery. If the patient intends to lose weight, this should also be done prior to the operation, as losing 8–10% of body weight after surgery can cause significant deformities in the breasts.
Breast lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The duration of the surgery depends on the procedure and typically lasts 2–3 hours. Significant pain is not expected after the operation. However, a 1-day hospital stay is recommended for ice compress application and monitoring for potential bleeding. The patient usually returns to normal daily activities within 1 week to 10 days, but for approximately 8 weeks, activities that directly affect the breasts should be avoided.
Patients Who Undergo a Breast Lift
Among all aesthetic surgical procedures, breast lift surgery is the one that most significantly increases patient self-confidence and directly improves quality of life.
Breast Lift Surgery Costs
The cost of a breast lift surgery varies depending on the patient’s current condition and the surgical technique used.
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