Breast Lift: Is it worth it?
New statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show that “Lifts lead the list,” with breast lifts, buttocks lifts, lower body lifts, and upper arm lifts significantly increasing since 2000. In fact, breast lifts are up by 89 percent since 2000, when only 52,836 procedures were performed. In 2015, this number increased to 99,614, showing that quite a number of people are now invested in breast lifts.
This may cause confusion among many people, since breast lifts are not included in the top procedures performed in 2015. However, its popular counterpart, breast augmentation, was included in the list. How do the two procedures differ?
In another blog, we talked about how breast augmentation reshapes the breast through the use of implants and fat grafts, while breast lifts essentially lifts the breasts to create a better contour. Here’s a better explanation of how the procedure is performed.
The Definition
Mayo Clinic describes, “a breast lift — also known as mastopexy — is a surgical procedure to change the shape of your breasts. During a breast lift, excess skin is removed and breast tissue is reshaped to restore firmness and raise the breasts.” As was implied above, a breast lift does not add volume to your breasts or reshapes it by adding implants or fat. Rather, the breast lift repositions the sagging breast to make it look more proportional and in a less saggy position.
In the previous blog, we also explained the typical causes of sagging breasts. Aside from lifestyle choices, weight fluctuations, and aging, hereditary issues and breastfeeding are also thought to be culprits in sagging skin.
When the breasts sag, the upper portion of it usually tends to flatten out. In this case, a breast lift will not fix the lost volume on top of the breast. Therefore, it is best paired with other breast surgery procedures if the sagging is not your only problem. For instance, if you have too much breast tissue and sagging breasts, then you can opt for a breast lift and a breast reduction surgery. This way, your breasts would be rounded off to a more physically appealing shape and size for you. On the other hand, if you don’t have enough fatty tissues and your breasts are sagging, then you can opt to have a breast lift with breast augmentation. This way, you can have fuller breasts with the help of the implants while keeping your breasts perky and on a more youthful position in your chest.
The Candidates
Breast lifts are ideal for women who have sagging breasts, regardless of their age. However, most doctors would advise women to forego procedures if they still want to conceive or breastfeed. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can significantly affect the shape and lift of the breast. On the other hand, while the nipple is not removed from the breast tissue, some women may find it hard to breastfeed following a breast surgery. Other women say they have less milk. If you have any constraints about breastfeeding and pregnancy, then talk to your doctor about your misgivings before having the surgery.
That being said, below are some “home tests” a women can perform to see if they need a breast lift or just breast implants:
● The Pencil Test – The Pencil Test is pretty straightforward: put a pencil under your breast and see if it stays put. If it stays under your breast, then that means you may need to have a breast lift surgery.
● The Under-Breast Crease – The under-breast crease is typically where your breasts round off and end on your chest. If your nipples and the rest of your breasts is not proportional to your under-breast crease, or if your nipples are hanging way below the under-breast crease, then this test may indicate you need a breast lift.
● Sagging breasts – This is the most obvious sign that you need a breast lift. If your breasts are already sagging – such as when they’ve lost shape and volume, and your upper breast is already flat, or your round breasts have turned longer and more elongated, this means you may need a breast lift.
● Your nipples and areolae – When your nipples point downwards and/or when your areolae is already out of proportion with the rest of your breasts, you know that your ligaments are not supporting your breasts properly. Therefore, you may need to correct this with a breast lift.
● Your breasts are uneven – Finally, you are a good candidate for a breast lift if your breasts are uneven, in such a way that one hangs lower than the other.
Most patients who undergo breast lift surgeries often report being extremely happy with their procedures. However, women with smaller breasts are more likely to have positive results over the years, in comparison with women who have larger breasts. After all, larger breasts tend to be heavier, which makes them likely to fall prey to gravity and to sag again in the near future.
Breast Lift Cost
Breast lift cost or cost of breast reduction surgery varies from place to place. We created a ballpark fees page to give patients an idea of the range of costs of breast lift surgery in Scottsdale, AZ. As with breast augmentation, most cases of breast lift are not covered by health insurance, unless they are part of a reconstructive surgery through a mastectomy, or other health-related issues. Nevertheless, it may be a small price to pay in the future if it can help you regain your confidence and self-esteem.
Many doctors offer patient financing plans to make the treatments more affordable, so don’t hesitate to ask your surgeon. Also, you also need to look into the expenses for medical tests, prescriptions, surgeon’s fee, anesthesia fees, and hospital fees, as well as other fees that may be related to your surgery.
The Conclusion
To conclude, a breast lift is a good option for women who just want to enhance the appearance of their breasts by repositioning it. In another blog, we will discuss how the procedure is performed, typical dos and don’ts, risk factors, and other related topics regarding breast lift surgery.
Do you feel that you might need a breast lift after after pregnancy, weight loss or gravity? If so, then contact Dr. Aldo Guerra today at 480-970-2580 or schedule a personal breast lift consultation online.
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