Yes, a breast lift corrects sagging.
Gravity is probably the force that causes the most noticeable changes in the human body and especially in the female chest. Be it the natural degeneration of collagen as the main factor in getting old, the lengthy and multiple changes in volume due to pregnancy and breastfeeding, or a significant loss of body weight, the breast tissues will lose the quality of their elasticity eventually. This condition called by the doctors Breast Ptosis, causes the nipple to come down together with the breast tissue, which loses its shape totally in some cases. Most women are highly concerned about the changes in their body, and do not like to see their outer appearance reflecting their inner age.
The short and clear answer to the question “Can a breast lift fix sagging?” is an emphatic yes. The use of firming creams and chest training will have absolutely no impact on stretched skin and ligaments. A Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is a surgical procedure that will allow you to look younger. It is not just a simple pull-up; it is a complete remodeling of the breast mound, repositioning of the nipple to a natural, forward-facing direction first of all, and the removal of the extra skin that is causing your discomfort. Lin Europe Clinic considers such an operation as giving back the perfect body shape, not just a fix.
How Mastopexy Works: The Mechanics of Lifting
It is said that a breast lift is like adjusting a dress that has become too loose for a person. At first, the “fabric” (skin) gets stretched, and the “stuff” (breast tissue) sometimes shrinks or sags due to the force of gravity. The surgeon’s task is not to fill up the dress as tightly as possible (which is the function of the implant); in fact, the excess “fabric” needs to be removed and afterwards, the dress must be “decorated” with seams making a perfect fit and aesthetic look.
In order to hold the newly shaped breast position, the surgeon utilizes the remodeling technique of your tissue. The nipple-areola complex, which frequently looks downward and/or is positioned below the breast fold, is physically lifted to the highest point of projection. After that, the remaining loose skin from the bottom is removed. By suturing skin together, a tight envelope is produced that presses the breast tissue against the ribs, thus eliminating the effect of gravity.
The “Auto-Augmentation” Technique
Not only does the modern breast lift technique remove excess skin, but it can also provide volume to the breasts. At Lin Europe Clinic, we frequently apply “Auto-Augmentation” method. Traditionally, the lower part of the sagging tissue was discarded during the breast lift. What we do instead, is keep the tissue and reposition it behind the nipple-areola complex.
The use of “natural implant” perfectly describes the situation, where the projection and volume of a breast is increased just by one’s own body. It is an outstanding solution for ladies who have sufficient natural volume but with no shape. Without a standard lift, only the introduction of a silicone foreign body is required to get that fuller and rounder look. With this approach, the upper pole curve that has been lost due to the time can be naturally restored.
The Difference Between a Lift and an Implant
Thanks to the methods like auto-augmentation, there is still a significant difference between a breast lift and a breast implant. A breast lift will only change position, not volume. Many women think that a breast lift will increase the size of their breasts significantly. While a lift mainly redistributes your tissue, making the breast firmer and a bit larger, it cannot generate volume. If your breasts are “empty,” which is often the case after breastfeeding when the breast is like a flat pancake, then a lift will result in small but perky breasts.
For patients aiming for more cleavage, an Augmentation-Mastopexy (Lift with Implant) is usually suggested by us. In this mixed operation, a small implant is used to restore the lost volume and give internal support, while at the same time the skin is tightened. This way, you get the volume from the implant together with the lift elevated breast, which looks most youthful.
The Reality of Scars: The Trade-Off
There is no such thing as a magic wand that lifts the skin without an incision. The degree of your sagging will decide the scar pattern that will be necessary. A “Donut” (Periareolar) lift can only leave a scar around the nipple in the case of slight sagging. On the contrary, moderate to severe sagging cases almost always require “Lollipop” (Vertical) or “Anchor” (Inverted-T) incisions.
Patients are often scared of an anchor scar, but that is the one that the surgeon prefers for a reason. It makes the best work for the surgeon who can therefore give the patient the best shape with the most necessary skin removed. Although scars will remain forever, they are strategically located in the fold of the breast and they usually diminish to faint white lines after 12-18 months. Most women consider that exchanging the long, hanging breast for a thin, white scar is a successful game.
Longevity and Maintenance in Turkey
Our focus at Lin Europe Clinic in Turkey is on longevity. What a breast lift does is turning back the clock, but it does not put the clock on hold. The force of gravity will constantly be acting on your skin even when you are out of the OR. We employ advanced suturing and internal reshaping methods that depend on the breast parenchyma, rather than skin alone, to support the weight to get you the longest-lasting results possible.
Besides that, we are not shy about warning our patients about the settling phase. Your breasts will be extremely high and swollen right after the operation – probably even “too high!” This is quite normal. Your tissue will relax and your breasts will become in a more natural teardrop shape after 3 months. Waiting is the keyword for the “high and tight” phase. In addition, we strongly recommend that patients be at a stable weight before the operation. Your opponent after a breast lift would be massive weight changes; if you are intending to lose 10 kilograms then it will be better to wait as weight loss deflates the breast and leads to sagging recurrence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Lifts
If your areolas have stretched and enlarged over time, the surgeon can reduce their diameter during the lift to a more youthful and proportionate size (generally 40-42mm).
Usually, yes since the milk ducts and nerves are kept intact when the nipple is moved; however, some ladies might have a slight decrease in their milk supply.
The results are permanent in the sense that your breasts will be higher than if you hadn’t had surgery, but since gravity and aging still exist, some natural sagging will gradually happen again over the next 10-15 years.
The majority of patients say a breast lift is in fact less painful than an augmentation because there is no muscle stretching involved, and mostly discomfort can be handled with standard medication for a few days.
Absolutely. A breast lift is a great way to fix asymmetry since the surgeon can adjust each side by removing a different amount of skin to make the nipple level perfectly equal on both sides.
Rubin, J. P. (2006). Mastopexy and mastopexy-augmentation. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Qiao, Q., et al. (2009). Management of the tuberous breast. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Stevens, W. G., et al. (2014). One-stage mastopexy with breast augmentation: A review. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
