While breast augmentation has remained the top cosmetic surgical procedure for years, breast lifts have seen a significant increase in popularity. According to the American Society for Plastic Surgeons, breast lift surgery has increased 70 percent since the year 2000. In that 15-year period, many significant advances have been made to the procedure. Recovery times are much less and this is done as an outpatient procedure. One of the biggest advancements is the shorter scar techniques. Individual patients may require slight, moderate, or significant correction of sagging breasts. Ideally the position of the nipple areolar complex should be a few centimeters above the level of the inframammary crease. If the nipple position is lifted too high, it can turn “skyward” and be pointing upward. Along with the improvements and shorter recovery, we at APSI believe the increase is also due to the realization that this procedure makes an excellent addition to breast augmentation. So many women want to increase their breast size and balance their breast appearance with implants, but breast augmentation will not address another major concern women have: breast sagging.
After Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Those who choose to have both a breast augmentation and a breast lift in one procedure are often women who have had children. Pregnancy and breastfeeding often result in decreased breast volume and stretched skin. If the woman had poor skin elasticity or if the breasts lost a significant amount of volume postpartum, the result is sagging breasts. The nipples may point downward or fall below the breast crease, causing the breasts to lose their once youthful appearance. In some cases, a breast augmentation alone can restore the lost volume to provide a youthful-looking lift, but if the sagging is too extensive, a breast augmentation alone will not deliver the best result. In fact, a breast augmentation in sagging breasts can create a strange appearance with the nipple positioned too low on the breast in an anatomically incorrect position.
After Weight Loss
The breast lift procedure may have also increased in popularity due to the increasing number of people who have experienced massive weight loss. Many people have used bariatric surgery or other weight-loss methods to successfully reduce their weight and are left with sagging, pendulous breasts. Many women see a significant difference in their breast appearance after losing only 20 pounds, especially if they have poor skin elasticity. A breast lift is a great option for these women who want to restore youthfulness without increasing their breast size. The best candidates for a breast lift are near their goal weight since continued weight loss can cause the breasts to sag again to some extent. The results with a breast lift are permanent and long lasting, but the procedure will not stop the aging process. Over time, the breasts will continue to age naturally, but they will appear much more youthful compared to without breast surgery. If you are interested in the breast lift procedure or would like more information about combining a breast lift with an augmentation, please schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons at Austin PSI. Call (512) 327-3773 or visit our online contact page to start your transformation today.
