Sagging breasts are one of the most common aesthetic concerns for women considering cosmetic surgery. Breast augmentation along with a breast lift is an excellent combination of procedures for anyone who wants to increase their breast size, add upper pole fullness, and address sagging. Meanwhile, if you are happy with the size of your chest and only want to improve drooping, elongation, or asymmetrical appearance, you can get a breast lift without implants. An experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Steele will outline your options and tailor treatment for your needs.
What is a Breast Lift?
Breast lift surgery (also known as mastopexy) removes excess skin and some breast tissue in order to raise and tighten sagging breasts. During the procedure the nipple and areola are located higher on the chest, while the breast issue is reshaped into a more aesthetic appearance resulting in a perkier, rounder appearance.
Benefits of a Breast Lift Without Implants
If a patient is happy with the size of their breasts while wearing a bra, a breast lift without implants offer some considerable benefits. For instance, combining a breast augmentation with a mastopexy increases the cost of surgery and increases the risk of complications such as implant rupture and need for a secondary procedure. Some patients may not be a good candidate for an implant at the time of a mastopexy. Patients with massive weight loss, often have significant ptosis (sagging) of their breasts with very low nipples. Moving nipples, a significant distance in combination with implants is not always safe and should be staged. These patients can start with a breast lift, and then have implants at a later time if they desire more upper pole fullness.
Recovering from a Breast Lift
After a mastopexy, you will have cardio restrictions for 3 weeks and heavy lifting restrictions for 6 weeks. Bruising will typically resolve within 1-2 weeks, while swelling takes up to 3 months. Dr. Steele will recommend wearing a supportive sports bra for at least 2 months. These bras will provide support, minimize swelling, and prevent the incisions from stretching, which can interfere with healing and lead to less satisfying results.
Patients should see improvements in sagging or asymmetry immediately. A complete recovery will take about 6 weeks. While there are scars, these will improve over time and generally fade after about one year. For most women, the scar is well worth their new shapelier and perkier breasts.
Call Today to Learn about Breast Lifts without Implants
If you are interested in learning more about how a breast lift can improve your look, call our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Steele.
