What Breast Lift Can and Cannot Do
Are your breasts and nipples starting to point south? Do you want younger, perkier-looking breasts? As we age, gravity takes its toll and breasts become less firm. Consider breast lift to turn back the hands of time. However, there are limits to what breast lift alone can accomplish. Dr. Joshua Greenwald explains what breast lift can and cannot do.
The Breast Lift Procedure
Formally known as mastopexy, breast lift involves the removal of excess skin and raising of the breast tissue. While aging is a major contributor to drooping breasts, pregnancy, breastfeeding and weight changes also factor in. Pregnancy and breastfeeding cause the breast ligaments to stretch; but after the baby has weaned and the breasts return to their pre-pregnancy volume, sagging may be evident. Significant weight gain and loss stretch breast skin, again resulting in sagging.
Breast lift incisions are usually made around the areolas, extending downward to the breast creases (and sometimes continuing horizontally along the creases). Any scars are easily camouflaged by a bra or bathing suit.
Breast lift reshapes the breasts, making them firmer. Saggy breasts are raised back to a more youthful level. If one breast sits higher than the other, breast lift can bring them in line with one another.
Nipples and areolas that point downward are raised to point straight ahead or upward. Some women want their areolas made smaller to appear proportional to the reshaped breasts.
Breast lift results last between 10 and 15 years. Women with smaller breasts should experience longer-lasting results, as heavy breasts are more prone to drooping.
Women considering breast lift surgery may want to wait until they have completed their families. While breast lift does not affect pregnancy, the breasts are likely to sag again due to weight gain, breastfeeding and hormonal changes. It is also harder for some women to breastfeed after breast lift.
What Breast Lift Cannot Do
Breast lifts do not change breast size. If you wish to increase the size of your breasts, you’ll need breast augmentation surgery; or, if you prefer smaller breasts, you’ll need breast reduction surgery. Both procedures may be performed in conjunction with breast lift.
However, many women find they wear a smaller bra size after breast lift. That is because the breasts are rounder and firmer.
Contact Dr. Greenwald
If you are considering breast lift, Dr. Greenwald invites you to schedule an informational consultation. Please contact our office today to request an appointment. He will answer all of your questions regarding breast lift surgery as well as breast augmentation or reduction.
Dr. Joshua Greenwald is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City who studied and trained at prestigious educational institutions including Columbia University, Emory University, and New York University School of Medicine. His keen aesthetic eye and refined surgical techniques have led him to be a top choice for cosmetic face, breast, and body procedures in NYC. His exceptional patient care has earned him the distinction of “Top Doc” by both Westchester Magazine and Castle & Connolly for over 10 years running. Dr. Greenwald is an active member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Medical Association, and the Westchester County Medical Society.