1. Lift and Separate
A breast lift is a cosmetic procedure in which a surgeon reshapes and raises the breasts. During the surgery, also known as mastopexy, your surgeon will remove extra skin and tighten tissue around the breast. The result is firmer breasts with a new contour. A breast lift can also reduce the size of an enlarged areola. However, a breast lift won't alter the size or fill out the top of the breasts.
2. Only Do it for Yourself
A breast lift, like all surgery, carries risks. Think about it and decide why you're doing it. Don't take the risk of a surgery to fit an image or to please someone else. Breast lift may be a good option if you have tubular breasts that have lost their volume or if your nipples drop below the crease of the breast when you are braless. Large areolas or breasts in which one is lower than the other are also issues for which a breast list may be the answer. Consult with a plastic surgeon to find out if you're a good candidate.
3. Before the Breast Lift
Choose a doctor after careful research. Expect a breast exam at the consultation. She will also take measurements, photographs and discuss your expectations. The surgeon should talk to you about the risks involved, anesthesia and your medical history, including medications. If you smoke, quit well before you plan this surgery. Also, get a baseline mammogram prior to the breast lift. Often this is an outpatient procedure. Since most insurance companies won't cover this surgery, you need to know the price of a breast lift. Some surgeons have payment plans.
4. The Good: Results
Full recovery may take a few months as incision lines fade and the breasts settle in over time. You can expect long-lasting results from a breast lift. Nothing can stop the effects of gravity or the breakdown of breast tissue with age, but you can exercise and live a healthy lifestyle to help maintain the surgical results.
5. The Bad and the Ugly: Possible Complications
A breast lift may come with a host of complications. As with any surgery, reactions to anesthesia, bleeding and infection are possible. It's also possible that you could sustain damage to nearby vessels, the lungs, nerves or muscles. A change in nipple sensitivity, irregular shaping, nipple or areola loss, and skin discoloration are also possible. Make sure your surgeon is reputable. Talk to him about complications, and weigh the pros against the cons before you make your decision.
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