One of the main holdups of people who want to enhance the projection, youthfulness, or fullness of their breasts through cosmetic surgery is how long the procedure will last. In that regard, artificial implants can have a confounding effect on the longevity of the breast enhancement process, as some can last decades whereas others might not.

A breast lift does not utilize volume-enhancing procedures on its own, but might be helpful for people looking for both a physical lifting of sagging breast tissue as well as volume enhancement. How long will it last? Let’s talk about it.

What is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift is a procedure to reshape the breasts to a more youthful (higher) position on the chest wall. It can also be done in combination with a breast augmentation or reduction. Breast lifts can be performed on people of all ages, most often for those who have been pregnant and had children.

The most common reason for having a breast lift is to improve the shape and size of your breasts after pregnancy and breastfeeding. It eliminates loose skin and stretch marks on the breasts that result from weight gain or loss and the effects of pregnancy. A breast lift may also be recommended if you have a large areola (the darker area around your nipple) or if you want perkier, fuller breasts.

How Long Does a Breast Lift Last?

Breast lifts can last a lifetime, but that depends on the type of lift you have. The most common breast lifts are vertical or anchor lifts. These types of lifts usually last for 10 to 20 years after the surgery.

Additional procedures can alter, if not enhance the longevity of your surgery. For example, breast implants can last 15 to 20 years, while fat injections into the breast may last anywhere between three and 10 years before they begin to show the signs of aging. Breast augmentation surgery can also be combined with a breast lift if desired.

Does a Breast Lift with Augmentation Change the Time It Lasts?

For most patients, the option of adding implants to a breast lift will not affect how long the enhancement will be noticeable. Breast augmentation does not last any longer than a simple breast lift.

When you undergo a breast lift, skin and fat tissue is removed from your chest and then repositioned in their new position. This is usually done under general anesthesia or could potentially be performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Dr. Nakamura will remove excess skin and fat from underneath the nipple and reshape the breast tissue to give it more volume. The nipple itself will remain in its original location but will sit higher on the chest wall than before.

When you have an augmentation at the same time, implants are placed in your breasts between the chest muscle and overlying skin. This creates a more natural look than when implants are placed under the muscle alone because there is less visible scarring when they are placed above the muscle.

Learn More From the Experts on Breast Enhancement

If you’re thinking about getting a breast lift but aren’t sure if you’ll be happy with the results in the long run, don’t hesitate to reach out to our board-certified physician, Dr. Y Anthony Nakamura at Accent On You today. A consultation with his expert opinion and examination can help you decide whether this procedure is right for you at this point in your life.

A breast lift can be a beneficial option for several reasons. It can correct sagging or uneven breasts, reshape breasts that have lost volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding, or correct the appearance of breasts following breast reduction surgery. Whatever your reasons for selecting breast lift surgery, it can be helpful to know what to expect. Here’s a quick guide to preparing your your procedure and recovery with the help of Dr. Nakamura.

Preparing for Breast Lift Surgery

You’ll be given detailed instructions by our team on arriving for your surgery. This includes instructions on wearing loose-fitting, easily removable clothing that opens in the front. Additionally, it’s extremely important to leave any and all jewelry or piercings at home. Once you arrive, you’ll meet with Dr. Nakamura and our team to discuss your procedure and sign consent forms You’ll also be given detailed aftercare instructions and information about follow-up appointments. Dr. Nakamura will draw marks on your surgical area and review them with you to ensure the surgical plan is the same as discussed. Finally, you’ll meet with your anesthesiologist and the rest of your surgical team before going into surgery.

After Breast Lift Surgery

After your breast lift surgery, you will wake up in your recovery room. You may feel very tired and groggy. Because of this, you’ll need a close friend, family member, or responsible adult to drive you home. After you go home for your recovery, you may feel some soreness and pain. Our team will prescribe medications to help manage discomfort and swelling so you can rest.

There are some common side effects of breast lift surgery which should be minor and fade within a few weeks. If you experience any severe symptoms, make sure to contact our team right away.

Swelling

Swelling is normal after breast lift surgery, but it should dissipate within 2-3 weeks. To reduce swelling, avoid lying down and keep yourself propped up on some pillows while sleeping. Also avoid elevating your heart rate (light walking around the house is encouraged to prevent blood clots, however). Ice packs can help reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels and bringing down inflammation. Apply an ice pack protected with a towel every two hours during the first day after surgery and then as needed thereafter until swelling goes down (usually 2-3 days). Only apply ice packs for 15 minutes at a time.

Bruising

Bruising is common after a breast lift and may last up to a few weeks. Using ice packs can help reduce bruising as well as avoiding blood-thinning medications like ibuprofen or naproxen. Keep in mind that bruising is temporary and will subside and become less noticeable throughout your recovery.

Infection

Infections are rare but can happen. If you have a fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) for more than 24 hours or drainage from the incision that doesn’t stop, call our team right away. Other signs of infection can include chills, weakness, a warm feel to the area, puffiness, pain, nausea, and changes in color. Our team will give you a detailed list of things to look out for and who to contact if you notice signs of infection.

Schedule a Consultation

The best way to ensure a good outcome is to choose a board certified plastic surgeon. To meet with our team, contact our Arlington, TX office by calling or filling out our online form.

Sagging breasts can hinder you from wearing your preferred clothing and affect your confidence and desired appearance. Fortunately, there’s a highly effective medical procedure to help people overcome this condition. A breast lift procedure can correct enlarged areolas or uneven breast size, as well as lift the breasts to a more youthful position on the chest. It can also change your breast shape and projection, giving people a more youthful appearance and helping restore self-confidence.

What is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift is a surgical procedure (medically called mastopexy) that removes excess skin and tissue to position the breasts higher on the chest wall, often also resizing and repositioning the nipples for a more youthful, uplifted appearance. In many cases, it utilizes a “lollipop” incision pattern: a circular incision around the nipple, hidden in the transition of skin from areola to breast skin, as well as a vertical incision down the breast. For others, a third horizontal incision in the breast crease may be needed for additional skin excision and access.

Signs You Should Consider a Breast Lift

Sagging  Breasts

It is usual for breasts to droop with time due to weight loss, age, and pregnancy and childbirth. Although it is not a medical issue, sagging breasts can make you less confident in your looks. If this is the case, you are an ideal candidate for a breast lift.

Breasts Have Lost Shape

Breasts lose shape for a variety of reasons. Aging, genetics, smoking, weight changes, and hormones are some of the contributing factors. Exercising without proper breast support can also lead to such shape loss. A breast lift is an extremely effective procedure if you want to restore a youthful shape.

Enlarged Areolas

It is common for areolas to enlarge after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Significant weight fluctuations can also lead to stretched areolas. A breast lift can help reduce the size of your areolas.

Areolas No Longer Face Out

A key indicator of youthful breasts is having symmetrical areolas that face directly out. A mastopexy will work for you if your areolas now lie flat or point downwards. It’s also the perfect solution for areolas facing in different directions.

Uneven Breast Size

More than half of all women have uneven breasts. Hormonal changes, aging, and trauma are some of the reasons for this condition, but it can also be a natural occurrence. A rare condition known as juvenile hypertrophy can also cause breast asymmetry. The condition makes one breast significantly larger than the other.

How a Breast Lift Can Help

Mastopexies work by removing excess skin throughout your breasts. It also tightens the surrounding tissue to support and reshape your breast contours. This will lift your breasts and areolas, but won’t eliminate excess skin on the upper part of your breasts. A breast lift can be combined with other procedures like breast augmentation for comprehensive breast rejuvenation.

Options at Accent On You

Accent On You prides itself in delivering quality care with a personalized approach. We understand that individual results may vary. Because of this, we help patients select the most relevant and minimally invasive solution for each person’s unique needs and goals.

Upon the completion of breast lift surgery, your room care nurse will ensure you receive the best care both in the recovery suite and after you are taken home. Depending on the results of your post-op visits, you can return to your normal life within a few days of surgery.

Schedule a Consultation

During your consultation in our Arlington office location, Dr. Nakamura will discuss your expectations from surgery and recommend a personalized treatment plan. He will take you through the basics of surgery and perform a routine examination. You can also discuss other options for both surgical and non-surgical treatments.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Nakamura to discuss your concerns and expectations. With his expertise and friendly approach, you’ll gain comprehensive insight into the procedure to help you make the best decision.

A breast lift is a common and popular plastic surgery procedure among people looking to enhance the appearance of their breasts. Also known as mastopexy, this plastic surgery procedure can lift breasts and nipples that have sagged as a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding or the loss of a significant amount of weight. Breast lifts are a great way to restore the appearance of breasts to a more vivacious, younger-looking state.

If you’re considering getting a breast lift, it’s important to remember that it’s a surgical procedure that involves removing excess skin and tightening the remaining tissue to reshape the breasts. In some cases, the surgery may also involve reducing the size of the areolas if they have grown to be enlarged. Like many plastic surgeries, a breast lift is highly customizable, and Dr. Nakamura takes your concerns and goals, as well as your anatomy, into consideration when recommending certain breast lift options, like the ones below.

How Can a Breast Lift Rejuvenate Your Breasts?

Being pregnant, nursing a baby, and losing a lot of weight can result in significant changes to both the body and the breasts. They can end up becoming much larger and heavier, effects that can be exacerbated by the natural effects of aging, which causes the skin to lose its youthful elasticity. When this occurs while you’re still young and begins causing your breasts to sag or point downward, you may begin to feel self-conscious and question your body. This is a concern that would make someone a good candidate for a breast lift to restore their breasts to a more youthful state in a higher position on the chest.

Should You Add Breast Augmentation to Your Breast Lift?

Breast lift surgery is not meant to increase the size of a woman’s breasts. Sometimes it’s possible for the breasts to appear fuller if excess skin is removed but breast tissue is not, as the higher, perkier position may create adequate fullness for some people. However, women who want to enhance their breast size in addition to having a breast lift can do so. This is common and can be performed by combining breast augmentation with a breast lift procedure.

Do You Get a Breast Lift with a Mommy Makeover?

The mommy makeover is a popular plastic surgery procedure that includes a variety of treatments in one. Although commonly including body procedures such as a tummy tuck or liposuction, breast surgery like a breast lift may be chosen as part of a mommy makeover combination surgery as well. These are highly personalized surgical plans that are created in partnership with Dr. Nakamura to achieve your desired goals that work for your schedule and budget.

Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon for Your Breast Lift

It’s absolutely essential to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon in Arlington, TX for your breast lift. Board certification means that a physician has the necessary training, experience, and continuing education to safely and naturally perform breast lift surgery for the best results. In addition, you want a trusting relationship with your surgeon, something Dr. Nakamura works diligently to achieve through honest opinions and advice and a compassionate bedside manner. To find out if a breast lift can help you achieve the figure you want, schedule a consultation with Dr. Nakamura today by calling our office or filling out a contact form online.