BREAST LIFT SURGERY

A breast lift (also known as mastopexy or breast uplift) is a surgical procedure to change the shape of breasts, restore firmness and raise the breasts by cutting away excess skin, redistributing the filling, and restoring the original projection of the breast.

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Why is boob lift done

As you get older, your breasts change — losing elasticity and firmness. Gravity is the most common cause of breast ptosis (sagging), but there are also other causes for these kinds of breast changes, such as:

Pregnancy (during pregnancy, the ligaments that support your breasts might stretch as your breasts get fuller and heavier)
Weight fluctuations (changes in your weight can cause your breast skin to stretch and lose elasticity)
Hormonal changes after giving birth or in post-menopausal period
Genetics

Essentially, the envelope of skin encasing the breast and the ligaments beneath stretch; the filling shrinks and the nipple is facing down rather than straight ahead.

Ideal candidates

Mastopexy or breast lift surgery will help in giving your breasts firmness and a more youthful-looking silhouette. It can reduce sagging and raise the position of the nipples and the darker area surrounding the nipples (areolae). A breast lift won’t significantly change the size of your breasts, but mastopexy can be performed either as a discrete breast-lift procedure or in combination with breast augmentation or breast reduction.

You might choose to have a breast lift if: your breasts sag or your nipples point downward, your nipples — when your breasts are unsupported — fall below your breast creases, your areolae have stretched out of proportion to your breasts, one of your breasts falls lower than the other.

In general, breast lift candidates should:

Be over the age of 18
Have drooping breasts
Be physically healthy and emotionally stable
Not be pregnant or breastfeeding
Be at a stable weight with no plans for major weight loss

Women who are ideal candidates for a breast lift surgery must also be in good health for both surgery and proper healing.

What you should know

A breast lift isn’t for everyone. If you’re considering pregnancy at any point in the future, you might want to delay a breast lift procedure (during pregnancy your breasts could stretch and offset the results of the lift). Breastfeeding is a consideration as well (although breastfeeding is usually possible after a breast lift — since the nipples aren’t separated from the underlying breast tissue — some women might have difficulty producing enough milk).

All in all, it is generally a good decision to postpone your breast lift until after you are finished having children.

The procedure

Breast lift surgery is a highly customized plastic surgery procedure that can address several common cosmetic breast concerns simultaneously. A basic breast lift can be performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgical facility. Sometimes the procedure is done with sedation and local anesthesia, which numbs only part of your body. In other cases, general anesthesia is recommended.

Techniques used to remove breast skin and reshape breast tissue vary. Your surgeon might make incisions around the areolae, extending downward from the areolae to the breast creases or horizontally along the breast creases. He or she might place stitches deep within your breasts to reshape your breast tissue and, if necessary, reduce the size of your areolae, remove excess breast skin and shift the nipples to higher positions. Then your doctor will bring together the breast skin and close the incisions with stitches, surgical tape or skin adhesives.

The procedure typically takes two to three hours, and usually you can go home on the same day.

Recovery after the procedure

After a breast lift, your breasts will likely be covered with gauze and a surgical support bra and small tubes can be placed at the incision sites to drain any excess fluid. Your breasts will be swollen and bruised for about two weeks, and nipples, areolae and breast skin might be numb for several weeks. Ask your doctor when it’s OK to resume daily activities. While you’re healing, keep your breasts out of the sun. Afterwards, be careful to protect your incisions during sun exposure.

Results

You’ll notice an immediate change in the appearance of your breasts, although their shape will continue to change over the next few months. Scars are unavoidable and they are permanent, but they’ll soften and become thin and white within one to two years. Also, they can usually be hidden by bras and bathing suits.

Keep in mind that breast lift results might not be permanent. As you age, your skin will naturally become less elastic, and some sagging might occur. Maintaining a stable, healthy weight can help retain the results.

Breast lift cost (price)

The total cost of your treatment will depend on your individual needs and goals. A number of factors can influence the final total of your procedure, such as complexity of your surgery, surgeon’s experience (as in all surgical procedures, experience with the technique is of utter importance), geographic location and operating facilities.

Plastic surgeon prof. Dr Milan Jovanovic

Prof. Dr Milan Jovanovic is a specialist in plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. As a surgeon with 27 years of surgical experience, Dr Jovanovic is one of the best experts in anti-ageing, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery in the region.

He is a professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, where he teaches general education to students of the fifth year, as well as at the postgraduate education for doctors who specialize in the field of plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. He is the Head of the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade.

About the Surgeon

Hospital for plastic and aesthetic surgery

Health institution General Hospital – Medical System Belgrade – MSB is a system which combines all medical and dental specialties.

Exceptional and complete services in the fields of anti-ageing, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery are provided by the Center for Aesthetic Surgery MSB (Medical System Belgrade). Along with the necessary safety, quality, comfort and discretion, our main goal is – a satisfied patient.