Sagging breasts are a very common condition that can be caused by aging, pregnancy, and major weight loss. If you’re sick of looking at the mirror and being discouraged by what you see, know that sagging, drooping breasts can be corrected with a breast lift. If you’d like to know more about how you can rejuvenate and revitalize your bust, contact Murphy Plastic Surgery in the Denver, CO area today.

What Is a Breast Lift?

Also known as a mastopexy, a breast lift is an elective surgical procedure intended to correct sagging breasts by lifting and reshaping them into a natural-looking, perkier position. The procedure is able to do so by removing excess skin and fat, lifting and relocating your breasts and nipples, and creating a new structure to support your newly-lifted breasts.

What Type of Breast Lift Is Right for You?

No two women’s breasts are exactly the same, nor is the degree of breast sagging they experience. We are able to provide our patients with different types of lifts to suit their varied needs. The end goal of each procedure is to create a firmer, lifted, natural-looking bust.

The Crescent Lift

If you’re experiencing only minor sagging or drooping breasts, the crescent lift may be the option for you. It includes an incision along the upper part of the areola, through which your provider will lift and tighten your breasts. Crescent lift procedures are popular among women who are also looking for breast augmentation in addition to a lift.

If you’re interested in breast augmentation, make sure to inform your provider at your initial consultation. Together, you can decide on the proper lift and size you require to meet your cosmetic goals.

The Donut Lift

Donut lifts are also referred to as a periareolar incision because it is made around the perimeter of your areola. A lift of this type is intended to address mild-to-moderately sagging breasts. The incision is slightly larger than with a crescent lift and allows your provider a much greater degree of control during your lift.

Lollipop Lift

The lollipop lift is so named because of the lollipop shape of the incision. This lift includes an incision that around your areola and leading down to your breast crease. Some people refer to the lollipop lift as a keyhole lift because the incision resembles the shape of old-fashioned keyholes.

No matter the name, patients who are experiencing a moderate amount of breast sagging can benefit from this lift option. Patients who are experiencing more than a moderate degree of sagging may not be able to reach their cosmetic goals with a lollipop lift.

Anchor Lift

The anchor lift is the most comprehensive option you have. It begins with a periareolar incision which extends down toward your breast crease, much like a lollipop lift. However, with an anchor lift, another incision is made horizontally along your breast crease.

Providers who need the greatest amount of control will often recommend an anchor lift. It’s usually suggested when a patient is experiencing severe sagging or drooping breasts, frequently with nipples that point down below the breast crease.

What Makes Someone a Good Candidate for Mastopexy?

The procedure is performed every day all over the country – if not the world – and is regarded as very safe and routine. That being said, there are a few necessary criteria that a prospective patient will need to meet in order to be a candidate for surgery.

You’re Not Happy With Your Bust

Have you noticed that your breasts just aren’t what they used to be? Maybe you’ve had one or more pregnancies and the effects it had on your bust was more than you expected. The first criterion that advances your candidacy for surgery is to be unhappy with the shape of your breasts and the resolution to make a change.

You’re Healthy

In addition to wanting to make a change, you need to be healthy enough to undergo surgery. At your initial consultation, your provider will need a full rundown of your medical history, including any surgeries or serious illnesses you’ve experienced in the past. If you’ve ever had a skin condition, this would be the best time to inform your provider.

As previously mentioned, mastopexy is a routine procedure, and you don’t need to be in peak physical condition to have one. Many patients who have experienced health issues in their past are still fit for surgery, provided those issues have been previously addressed and will not affect your procedure.

You Don’t Smoke

This is a big one, and it goes right alongside being healthy enough for surgery. Smoking is not only dangerous to your health, but it can cause complications during and after a surgical procedure due to the effects it has on how much you bleed. Tobacco products interfere with your body’s ability to form blood clots to stop bleeding.

While quitting for good is certainly the most health-conscious option, you don’t necessarily have to quit smoking or using other tobacco products forever. You will, however, have to stop several weeks before your surgery and continue cessation for several more post-procedure.

Your Skin Has Retained Some of Its Elasticity

The best results are obtained by patients who still possess some degree of natural elasticity to their skin. As you age, the collagen in your skin begins to degrade, resulting in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and eventually loose, sagging skin.

In order to achieve the most dramatic, natural-looking breasts, your skin will need to have retained some of its elasticity.

You’re Done Having Children

Pregnancy can seriously alter the shape and size of your breasts. If you decide to get pregnant again after your lift, your results may be compromised. It’s usually best to be done having children before deciding to move forward with mastopexy surgery.

What Can a Breast Lift Do for You?

Choosing to undergo the procedure will address sagging, drooping breasts. However, there are other benefits that you may not be aware of.

It Creates Firmer Breasts

As part of repositioning your breasts to sit higher on your chest and rejuvenating your bust, the procedure will also result in a firmer look and feel to your breasts. Most clients see this perk as a necessity since many of them want as little evidence as possible that they’ve had cosmetic surgery.

Sagging breasts result in elongated, and in many cases, a deflated feel. During your procedure, a new support system for your breasts will be created which results in both firmer and more natural-looking breasts.

It Reduces Irritation

Skin irritation is a common side effect of sagging breasts as the skin of your breast rubs against the skin of your chest. The result of this is often painful chafing, redness, and irritation. If you suffer from these issues, make sure to inform your provider at your consultation to ensure it is addressed during your procedure.

It Improves Your Nipple Projection

A common side effect of sagging or drooping breasts is that your nipple ends up pointing downward toward the floor instead of outward the way youthful breasts typically do. Having nipples that sag beneath the breast crease is a condition known as ptosis, and it’s a very common condition among women who are experiencing a major degree of sagging.

Ptosis can be addressed during mastopexy surgery. During the procedure, your provider will be reshaping and lifting your breasts, and this includes the nipples as well. After your procedure, your ptosis will be gone and your nipples will be repositioned to project forward in a much more natural way.

It Makes Your Clothes Look Better on You

Many patients feel that their clothing options are limited. Shirts and dresses with a low neckline are usually avoided because they tend to reveal unflattering cleavage. After surgery, your breasts will be located higher on your chest, be rounder, firmer, and have outward-projecting nipples – perfect for low necklines and other clothing options that reveal your bust.

A lot of patients are so impressed with their results that they’ll all but replace their wardrobe to better fit their new physique.

It Restores Your Confidence

Women who experience sagging breasts often take a hit to their self-confidence and self-esteem. While aging, weight loss, and pregnancy can significantly alter the shape of your breasts, it’s nothing to feel bad about. However, if you do, you aren’t the only woman who feels this way.

A woman’s breasts are often regarded as a sign of femininity, health, and youthfulness. Once you see what you look like in your old clothes (or your new ones) you’ll probably notice a big improvement in your self-confidence and your overall self-esteem.

It Can Be Combined With Additional Surgeries

Patients who have more comprehensive cosmetic desires can choose to undergo a breast lift at the same time as another surgical procedure that targets a different part of their body.

Breast Augmentation/Reduction

If your goals include lifted breasts in addition to larger ones, you can choose to have a breast augmentation performed at the same time. At your consultation, you and your provider will discuss the best options for surgery and the size and shape of your implants.

Conversely, some women want to have the size of their breasts reduced. Whether due to weight gain, back pain, or purely cosmetic purposes, your provider can reduce the size of your breasts during your lift.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that addresses loose skin and a distended abdomen. Women who have undergone significant weight loss or who have experienced multiple pregnancies often pair a lift with a tummy tuck to address their torso from top to bottom.

Much like a breast lift, the tummy tuck can be performed in different ways to address varying degrees of belly sagging. A mini tuck addresses loose skin and stretch marks below the navel, while a traditional tummy tuck addresses issues both above and below the navel. If you have excess skin and fat around your flanks, an extended tummy tuck can effectively address all three areas.

How Long Does a Breast Lift Last?

The longevity of your lift will vary from patient-to-patient. Generally, lifts last between 10 and 15 years, though patients have told us that they’re happy with their results for a lot longer than that. Factors that will influence the look and longevity of your procedure include genetics, lifestyle, and the condition of your skin.

If you’d like to take steps to keep your firmer, younger-looking breasts, you should perform regular exercise and eat a healthy diet. Your provider can give you better insight into how long your lift will last.

Enhance Your Bust and Boost Your Confidence With a Breast Lift

A breast lift is a surgical procedure designed to address sagging breasts by lifting them to sit higher on your chest and reshaping them into a more youthful, aesthetically pleasing shape. You need to be in good general health to undergo the procedure, and for more dramatic results, additional surgeries can be performed at the same time.

If you’re unhappy with the state of your breasts and you think that a lift is right for you, call Murphy Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO today. We serve everyone in the Denver, CO area and can’t wait to help you!