Loose, sagging breasts can be difficult to deal with. Whether you have lost breast volume because of breastfeeding or the natural ageing process, it can be difficult to feel confident about your appearance when your breasts have changed. At My Cosmetic Clinic in Balmain, NSW, our compassionate experts know that a surgical breast lift may be a good option for you to consider.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?
In general, the people who are the best candidates for a breast lift are those who want to tighten loose breast tissue rather than increase breast volume through augmentation. For example, if you’re satisfied with the overall size of your breasts, but you want to tighten or lift the breasts into a higher position, this procedure may be a good option for you. Some qualifications to become a candidate for this procedure include:
You Are Physically Healthy
You must be in good physical health to be considered a candidate for this procedure. Good physical health means that you do not have major health concerns that would make it unsafe to use general anaesthesia during your procedure. You should also be able to maintain a stable weight, as any significant changes in your weight will alter the results of your procedure.
In addition to physical health, you must not be currently pregnant to be a candidate for this procedure. If you are pregnant, you will need to postpone this treatment until after childbirth.
You Have Loose or Elongated Breast Tissue
Ideally, those who use a breast lift procedure have loose or elongated breast tissue. Loose breast tissue can often be identified by having a flatter, less voluminous breast shape. Elongated breast tissue may have a pendulous appearance, which means that the breasts hang down when they are not supported by a bra.
Loose or elongated breast tissue can be natural since breasts are formed in many natural shapes and sizes. Many young women naturally develop elongated breasts characterised by loose tissue. If you are bothered by the elongated shape of your breasts, then this procedure may be a good option for you.
Your Areola Placement Is Low
When your breasts are unsupported by a bra, your areola should remain pointed forward. If your nipples and areola fall beneath the breast crease, or if your nipples point downward, this could be a sign that you have elongated breast tissue or that your breast tissue is loosening as you age. For many women, changes in areola placement are one of the most obvious signs that breast tissue is losing volume.
You Are Bothered By Lost Breast Volume
Finally, you may be a candidate for this procedure if you are bothered by the loss of breast volume after weight loss, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Low breast volume can be challenging for several reasons, such as difficulty finding bras that fit correctly. The sudden loss of breast volume from hormonal or lifestyle changes can also harm your self-esteem.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a Breast Lift Safe?
A breast lift is an invasive procedure that involves the use of anaesthesia, so although this procedure is common, it does have a few risk factors. You will need to discuss these risk factors with your physician during a consultation for this procedure. For example, you may want to discuss the risk of scarring after this procedure.
2. Does a Breast Lift Include Implants?
Traditionally, a breast lift does not always include implants. The goal of a lift procedure is to tighten the breast tissue without any artificial interventions to increase breast size or volume. In other words, the goal of this procedure is to restore the youthful tone and position of natural breast tissue.
That said, depending on your aesthetic goals, it may be possible to include implants or fat grafting in your procedure. If you want to tighten breast tissue while also moderately increasing breast volume, please be sure to discuss your procedure options during your consultation.
3. Does Your Weight Matter?
To be a candidate for this procedure, you must have a stable weight. Specifically, stable weight refers to your ability to stay within a five-kilo weight range. If you can commit to maintaining this weight, then you will have the ideal weight for this procedure.
To be clear, you can have this procedure regardless of your weight as long as you are considered healthy enough for general anaesthesia. This means that even women who are overweight may still be candidates if they can pass health screenings.
4. Is There a Best Time for This Treatment?
If you are having this procedure to prepare for an important life event, such as a wedding or a long-awaited vacation, it’s a good idea to schedule your procedure at least four to six months ahead of time. This will ensure you have recovered completely from the procedure.
Additionally, if you are intending on having more children, it may be a good idea to postpone your surgery. This is because the weight gain associated with pregnancy and milk production will alter the shape of your breasts and potentially undo the results of your procedure. The best time to have this procedure is at least six months after childbirth or six months after the end of breastfeeding.
5. Is There a Best Age for This Treatment?
Depending on your natural ageing process, the best age to have this procedure may be between your 40s and 50s, which is when the loss of breast volume may become the most apparent. The best age to have this procedure is when you begin to feel self-conscious about the appearance of your breasts because of loose, sagging breast tissue
6. What Should You Do Before Treatment?
Because this is a surgical procedure, there are a few things you will need to do to prepare. For example, starting about two weeks before your surgery date, you should stop using anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning medications unless otherwise directed by a physician. You may also need to stop using tobacco products and drinking alcohol, as this will make it easier to recover from the anaesthesia.
The day before your procedure, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight, including water. Fasting is a requirement of any surgery that involves the use of general anaesthesia. Unless you are taking medications as prescribed by a doctor, you should not break your fast.
Labs and Exams
Before your procedure, you will likely need to complete a few labs and exams. For example, you must have a recent mammogram completed within the past year. You may need to complete laboratory blood work to assess your health if you have not done so recently. Your medical information should be forwarded to your surgeon to assess your health qualifications for the procedure.
7. What Should You Do After Treatment?
After the procedure, you will need to take several days or weeks off of work during your recovery. For the first 24 hours, you may need help at home, such as for transportation from your procedure, meal preparation, and other tasks. You should take any pain medications as prescribed by your physician. You should also be sure to drink plenty of water and eat light meals for the first week after your procedure.
Activity and Exercise
Although rest is essential, it’s also important to engage in light physical activity starting 24 hours after your procedure. This will ensure that the blood circulation in your body is adequate to prevent medical complications. You will be able to resume daily activities slowly, as long as you are not lifting anything heavy.
As for exercise, during your first week following your procedure, you will need to avoid strenuous exercise, particularly weightlifting and intense cardio. You can engage in lower-intensity exercises, such as walking, Tai Chi, and other light exercises.
8. How Long Do You Need To Wear a Compression Bra?
You will likely be instructed to wear a compression bra 24 hours a day for at least two to six weeks after your procedure. The compression bra will encourage faster healing after your surgery. The only time you should not be wearing a compression bra or high-support sports bra is when you are showering.
Schedule a Consultation Today
A breast lift may be a good option for you if you are self-conscious about loose, sagging, or elongated breasts. The shape of your breasts may change as a result of pregnancy, weight loss, or natural ageing. Contact us at My Cosmetic Clinic in Balmain, NSW to schedule a consultation for this surgery today.
