Though heavily photoshopped models may say otherwise, sagging breasts are completely normal! Whether you’ve achieved significant weight loss, gone through menopause, or breastfed all of your children, it’s common for the seasons of life to change your breasts over the years.
If you’d like to reverse the hands of time and recreate the perky breasts of your youth, a breast lift could be right for you. By elevating your breasts’ position on the chest and removing excessive skin, breast lift procedures create natural-looking enhancements by correcting a variety of aesthetic concerns.
Keep reading to learn how a breast lift near Edmond can transform your confidence. Ready to speak with one of our surgeons? Head over to our website or give us a call to schedule your initial consultation.
What is a breast lift?
A breast lift reshapes sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissues. Also known as a mastopexy, a breast lift raises the breasts higher on the chest while creating a more defined appearance.
It’s important to note that while a breast lift does make the breasts look rounder, it does not increase their actual size or fullness. Instead, a breast augmentation is best for patients wanting to add volume to their breasts using implants or a fat transfer. We can also combine a breast lift and breast augmentation for more cohesive results.
We recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our surgeons to learn which breast procedure will best suit your aesthetic needs.
3 Reasons to Consider a Breast Lift
Interested in making your breasts appear perkier? Here are 3 signs that you may be a good candidate for a breast lift near Edmond.
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Your Breasts Sag
Saggy breasts are one of the most common reasons many women choose to have a breast lift done. As we age, the ligaments in the breasts stretch out and lose their elasticity, giving the breasts a droopy appearance. These changes can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Gravity
- Genetics
- Smoking
- Larger breast size
- Menopause
- Pregnancy
Significant weight loss is another major cause behind saggy breasts. As we gain weight, our skin stretches to accommodate our changing shape. But once the pounds come off, damaged collagen structures that have been stretched for too long can cause the skin to lose its elasticity and droop.
2. Your Nipples Point Downward
Another sign that you may be a good candidate for a breast lift is if your nipples and areolae point downward instead of facing forward. This aesthetic concern goes hand-in-hand with sagging breasts, often caused by the same age-related changes.
Many women with downward-pointing nipples have tubular breasts, a condition that occurs when your breast tissues don’t grow properly during puberty. Tubular breasts often take on a narrow oval shape that lacks volume. Women with tubular breasts may also have a shorter distance between the nipple and fold under the breast.
A woman’s nipples can also point downward because of breastfeeding. The repetitive suction created by a baby while nursing can cause the nipples to become enlarged and hang below their regular placement.
3. Your Breasts Are Asymmetrical
Although most women’s breasts are slightly different in size, significant asymmetry may be a sign that a breast lift is right for you.
Women who have gone through dramatic hormonal changes may develop asymmetrical breasts. These changes can include:
- Menopause
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Hormonal contraceptives
Though uneven breasts are not usually a cause for concern, cancer can cause one breast to grow larger than the other. We recommend undergoing an examination by a doctor if you notice any of the following changes in your breasts:
- A lump in or around the breast
- Tissue that feels thick near the breast
- Change to the nipple
- Dimpled or puckered skin
- Red, scaly skin around the breast
Who Should Avoid a Breast Lift
Though a breast lift is an effective surgical option for reshaping and raising the breasts, the procedure isn’t for everyone. We recommend that you wait to have a breast lift near Edmond until after you have finished having children, because pregnancy can cause breast tissue to stretch and sag.
Our experts also recommend waiting until you stop breastfeeding and reach a stable weight to undergo a breast lift, as breast growth after your procedure can compromise your results.
It’s important to note that while a breast lift can be done on breasts of any size, patients with smaller breasts will likely achieve the best results. This is because larger breasts are often heavier, making them more likely to sag over time.
The Breast Lift Process at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates
Ready to kick off your breast lift journey but aren’t sure where to start? Here’s what you can expect when you choose our team of experts for your breast lift procedure:
Initial Appointment
Your first visit with one of our surgeons will be to discuss your aesthetic concerns and expectations for surgery. At this time, your surgeon gets to know you, your medical history, and the concerns you’d like to address with a breast lift near Edmond.
At this consultation, your surgeon also conducts a physical exam to determine which procedures will help you achieve your goals. They consider the position of your nipples and areolae, along with the quality of your skin to create your personalized procedure plan.
If you’re over 40, your surgeon may also have you schedule a mammogram with your regular provider to rule out health concerns like cancer and to monitor changes in your breast tissues.
Preparing for Surgery
If your surgeon decides that a breast lift is your best option, the next phase of your breast lift procedure process will be to prepare for surgery.
In the months leading up to your procedure, you must stop smoking and using tobacco products, as they decrease blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process. We also recommend maintaining a healthy, stable weight to ensure you’re in good shape before surgery. In the days before your breast lift, your surgeon will ask that you stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements that increase bleeding.
On the day of surgery, we recommend showering using Hibiclens, an antiseptic skin cleanser that kills germs on contact for 24 hours. It’s also important that you wear loose, comfortable clothing that opens to the front. Be sure to leave all jewelry, wigs, and other accessories at home.
Your Breast Lift Procedure
When you arrive for your breast lift near Edmond, your surgeon will administer IV sedation or general anesthesia. The sedation used will depend on your personal preferences and our medical recommendations based on your unique health needs.
Once your procedure begins, your surgeon will clean, prep, and mark your treatment area before making a few incisions around your areolae. Depending on your skin’s elasticity and the severity of sagging, your surgeon may choose from one of the following incision types:
- Crescent – A half-circle across the top half of your areola.
- Donut – Encircles your areola.
- Lollipop lift – Creates a circle around your areola before moving down vertically to the breast crease.
- Inverted T – Involves the same incisions of a lollipop lift while also moving horizontally across the breast crease.
From there, your surgeon will trim away excess skin, muscle, and tissue before shifting the nipples to a higher position. Finally, your surgeon will insert small drainage tubes, close your incisions, and apply bandages to finish your procedure.
Most breast lifts take 2 to 3 hours to complete. Many of our patients are able to go home the same day as their procedure.
Full Recovery
After your breast lift, you will likely need to wear a surgical support bra. Your surgeon will give you a specific post-procedure guide to help properly care for your newly lifted breasts.
You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital and stay with you throughout the first night of recovery. This will allow you to rest as needed and avoid unnecessary movement or activity, letting your incision heal undisturbed.
Most patients need 2 to 4 days of recovery after their breast lift near Edmond. During this time, it’s of utmost importance that you adhere to the following recovery instructions:
- Avoid raising your arms above your head
- Keep elbows at your side
- Sleep on your back
- Stay away from strenuous activities
Swelling, bruising, and soreness are common side effects of a breast lift. We recommend taking over-the-counter painkillers and other medications prescribed by your surgeon to combat these symptoms.
Be sure to attend all follow-up appointments with your surgeon so we can monitor your recovery process. You can also reach out and call your surgeon with questions at any time.
Better Breasts Start Here
At Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates, we want all of our patients to have the confidence needed to take on each day. If sagging, droopy breasts take away from your self-esteem, a breast lift near Edmond can help.
Don’t let the hands of time define you. Schedule your initial consultation by visiting our website.
Eager to learn more about other breast procedures at CSA, like augmentations and reductions? Head over to our blog for more information.
