About Breast Lift Surgery
Droopy and deflated breasts can contribute to an aged appearance and can interfere with women self-esteem. Pregnancy and breast feeding are the main factors that contribute to changes on women’s breasts. However, there are several other factors that can lead to breast sagging such as the effect of gravity (specially on overly large breasts), aging process, weight fluctuations and hormonal changes. Female breasts symbolize beauty and feminine identity and every woman wants to feel comfortable and happy with its appearance. Some women have small breasts with lack of fulness and others have breasts with considerable volume but simply droop downwards. There are several breast lift techniques that offer the opportunity to raise your breasts and restore a youthful shape and appearance.
Practical information
Surgery time | 4-5 hours |
Anaesthesia | General anesthesia |
Night Stay or Outpatient | 1 night stay is usually required |
Downtime | 2 weeks to go back to work |
Postoperative care | Sleep facing up, rest, do not exercise or perform strenuous activities, take antibiotics and pain killers as prescribed and wear the surgical bra. |
DEGREES OF PTOSIS
Sagging Breast Levels
If you have droopy and deflated breasts you will probably be a good candidate for a breast lift surgery. However, there are several breast lift techniques and the right one will depend on the degree of sagging. There are usually three levels of sagging:
Mild ptosis (grade I): This is considered just the beginning degree of breast ptosis. In this cases, mild skin laxity and sagging are present, and the nipple is usually at the inframammary fold level but nipples will not face down.
Moderate ptosis (grade II): In this case there is moderate skin laxity and sagging. Breast tissue sits below the inframammary fold and the nipples start to point downwards.
Advanced ptosis (grade III): this is the most serious level of breast sagging and severe skin laxity and sagginess is involved. In this case the lower breast tissue sits significantly low the lower crease and the nipple. Occupy the lowest point of the breast pointing downwards.
THE PENCIL TEST
Check if your breasts are sagging
Most women with concerns about breast sagging have heard about the pencil test. The pencil test is a simple way for a woman to evaluate the level of sagging. However, this is not a medical evaluation and will not determine your sagging degree nor the technique required. How is the pencil test performed? You just have to place a pencil along the inframammary fold and release your breast. If the pencil falls, you will pass the pencil (it is unlikely that you need a breast lift). If the pencil is held, it means there is sagging, and it is more likely that you need a breast lift. However, the answer is not simple and there are always exceptions to good rules. For example, tubular breast will usually pass the pencil test, but nipples are usually very low. In these cases, a periareolar lift may be required to reshape the areola and reposition the nipple at a higher position. On the other hand, if you fail the pencil test it does not necessarily mean you need a breast lift – the position of the nipple it is very important to determine the need of a lift. If the nipple is low, you will need a lift but if your nipple is high a breast augmentation or skin periareolar removal may be enough to give your breasts a more youthful and lifted appearance. If you do not feed happy with your breasts appearance or feel you may need a breast lift you must schedule a consultation with your plastic surgeon to evaluate your particular case.
PATIENTS
Who can benefit from Breast Lift Surgery (with or without implants)?
Post Pregnancy
Pregnancy and breast feeding can bring some unwelcome changes to breasts, often leaving them deflated and sagging. A breast lift will restore the shape and volume when needed.
Weight Fluctuations
Changes in your weight and rapid weight loss can cause your skin to stretch and lose elasticity.
Aging
Over time, gravity causes ligaments in the breasts to stretch and sag.
CANDIDATE CRITERIA
Best candidates for Breast Lift surgery
Good candidates for a breast lift surgery are usually women in good health, with a stable weight and with realistic expectations about the procedure.
Suitable candidates for a mastopexy or breast lift surgery, usually meet the following criteria:
- Droopy breasts.
- Nipples pointing downwards or out of the chest wall.
- Breast/nipples with asymmetrical positions.
- Areola has stretched out of proportion to your breasts.
- Ideal and stable weight.
- Breasts that have lost volume and shape following pregnancy, breast-feeding and rapid weight loss.
- Are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Ideal candidate should be done with having children as pregnancy and breastfeeding can interfere with results.
BREAST IMPLANTS
Breast Lift with or without implants?
A breast lift can be performed with or without implants – the right technique will depend on patient s initial characteristics and desires. If the breasts are sagging but there is enough tissue and the patient is happy with the size, a breast lift without implants can be a good option. When breasts are sagging and empty and the patient would like to increase size and cleavage effect, then breast lift with implants may be the right option. It must be understood that all breast lift techniques result in some loss of breast volume. It may be upto 1 cup size. A woman wearing a C cup size may end up with a B cup size unless augmented with implant or autologous fat.
STEP BY STEP
Breast Lift – Surgery Step by Step
Step 1: Markings
Before administrating the anesthesia, the patient is marked in standing position. Standardized photographs are taken before and after marking.
STEP 2: Anesthesia
General anesthesia is administered by inserting a flexible breathing tube into the patient.
Step 3 – Preparation
Skin is disinfected and blue wraps are placed to protect the surgical spot from external environment.
Step 4 – Incisions
Incision is performed according to each patient particular case (around the areola, vertical or inverted T).
Step 5 – Breast reshaping
Excess skin is removed, and breast tissue and areola are reshaped. Implant is inserted and placed in the chosen position (for those patients who have chosen to have implants).
Step 6 – Closing incisions
Incisions are closed with layered sutures in the breast tissue. Scars will fade away with time.
Step 7 – Dressings
The incision sites are covered with Steri-strips and special dressings are applied to maintain the breast shape. These dressing will be changed after 7 days.
Step 8 – Checking final results
Final results are checked, and small corrections are made if necessary. Before being taken to the recovery room, patient is woken up and worn a surgical bra.
SCARS
Breast Lift Scars
As with any surgery, a breast lift involves incisions. However, no breast lifts are the same and scarring will depend on several factor such as degree of sagging, size, shape and goal you would like to achieve. However, as a rule of thumb, the less sagging and the less you are trying to correct, the fewer incisions and subsequent scaring you will have. There are 3 common type of breast lift scars
Periareolar or Donut: the periareolar or donut incision is a common technique to correct light degree of sagging as only a relatively small amount of skin can be removed. An incision is created around the areola and later a second outer incision to remove excess skin around the areola edge.
Vertical or Lollipop: the vertical or lollipop scar is a common technique for women with moderate degree of sagging. A lollipop lift requires a keyhole shape incision, preserving the nipple and removing the excess skin below the nipple. The areola is lifted to its new and higher position while suturing skin edges together.
Inverted T or Anchor: the inverted or anchor breast lift is the most traditional type of technique and is mostly used to correct severe levels of breast sagging requiring significant amount of skin to be removed. In this technique, and incision is created around the areola and in the inframammary fold. A significant portion of skin is removed from the area below the areola and the areola if lifted to its new position.
COMBINING PROCEDURES
Breast Lift and Augmentation in the same procedure
Breast augmentation procedure is a top choice for patient who wish to improve breast appearance, but it is not indicated for every woman. Breast augmentation on its own will not correct droopy breasts unless you have a very mild degree of sagging. If you have droopy breasts and nipples facing down but also want to increase the size of your breasts, it is possible to pair a breast lift and augmentation together in the same surgery.
ENLARGED AREOLAS
Reduce the size of your areolas with a breast lift
Areola is the colored area around each nipple. Areolas are just like breasts, they come in different sizes, shapes and colors. The average areola is 4 cm in size and studies suggest that areolas are typically 3 times smaller than breasts. Areolas may not always look the same in a lifetime. They may change in size, shape and even in color. Most changes in areola characteristics are caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations and hormonal changes and they may or may not return to its original appearance. Very often, women with sagging breasts are also very unhappy with their areola appearance. An areola reduction is usually part of a breast lift surgery. As there are scars all the way around the areola, the plastic surgeon will reduce its size for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
RECOVERY PROCESS
Breast Lift Recovery
As with any surgery, breast lift recovery takes some time. The better you prepare, the easier it will be. It is very important to know what to expect from a breast lift surgery, so you know exactly how to plan your life for the days following surgery (work, kids, home duties, social events, etc). Most patients performing a breast lift with or without implants experience discomfort and mild to moderate pain, swelling and bruising. However, every patient is different and may react differently. It is very important to follow the plastic surgeon´s recommendations and take the prescribed medication to have a more comfortable recovery. You must use the surgical bra for 4 weeks. Simple things can make a big difference.
Here’s what you need to know about breast lift surgery recovery process, how you will feel, what to expect and how to care for your new breasts. Each patient is different, and recovery may be different on each patient as well.
Immediately after surgery
Breast lift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia and the patient goes home the day after. When you wake up from the anesthesia, you will feel tired, sleepy and maybe a little bit dizzy. You will also feel swelling and pressure in the chest area specially when your breath deeply. When you are discharged, someone must pick you up at the clinic and take you home as you are not allowed to drive.
First 3 days
The recovery from a breast lift is not particularly painful and it is quite similar to breast augmentation recovery. You must rest completely during the first 24 hours. As every person is different and we cannot predict how each person will react, we advise you to take the first 2 to 3 days to rest and take it easy at home. Most patients resume simple activities in 3 days (short walks, cooking). After the third day, you can start the lymphatic drainage if it has been recommended by the doctor.
After 1 week
You can resume most activities – driving, easy home cleaning and other activities that do not require much effort.
After 2 weeks
You can return to work (if your work does not require intense physical effort), resume the gym with light activities, gradually increasing the intensity.
After 4 weeks
You can get back to the life you had prior to surgery, perform more intense physical activities, use normal bras, resume breast related sexual activities and sleep facing down.
After 3 months
The final outcome of a breast lift surgery is expected after 3 to 6 months as breast shape and position continue to settle. Scars are permanent but will continue to fade over time.
FEES
Price of a breast lift surgery in Karachi
The price of breast lift surgery in Karachi includes the medical and nursing fees, the cost of the surgery room and breast implants (if applicable). It also includes other costs, such as medical examinations, medication, follow-up consultations and surgical bra. Dr Zia ul Islam is offering special prices for breast lift surgery starting at Rs 250.000. The exact price of a breast lift depends on your breast’s initial characteristics, surgery complexity and also if you will have breast implants or not. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Zia or for more information on prices and conditions, please contact us today on the following numbers:
- Aga Khan Hospital: +92 21 111 911 911
- Cooper Consultants Clinic: +92 21 35 37 0671 4
What can I expect from a breast lift?
Assuming you are a good candidate, a breast lift will give you a more appealing and youthful figure by lifting droopy breasts for a perkier and uplifted profile. The results are visible immediately after surgery but from the 4th to 6th week you will have a more realistic idea of the result as most swelling diminishes, and scars start to look better. The results of your breast lift are long-lasting but bear in mind they will continue to change due to aging and gravity.
Why choose Dr Zia ul Islam?
Dr. Zia is a certified plastic surgeon from Karachi with over 20 years of experience in performing breast surgeries including breast lifts with and without implants. Breast lifts are complex procedures that require knowledge and experience to achieve good results.
- Zia routinely performs breast lift procedures including breast lift with implants and breast lift with no implants.
- Proven results by before and after pictures.
- Top rated plastic surgeon in Karachi.
- Performs his surgeries in renowned clinics with all the safety conditions for his patients such as Aga Khan Hospital and Cooper Clinic in Karachi.
SCHEDULE YOUR BREAST LIFT SURGERY
APPOINTMENT IN KARACHI
Aga Khan Hospital
+92 21 111 911 911
Cooper Consultants Clinic
+92 21 35 37 0671 4
If you have decided on performing your Breast Lift Surgery in Karachi or you simply want to learn more about the procedure, please schedule your appointment with Dr. Zia.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Breast Lift – Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell I need a breast lift?
If you answer yes to any of the following it is very likely that you need a breast lift but only an experienced plastic surgeon will be able to confirm it:
- You have droopy breasts.
- Areola and nipples face down.
- Your nipples drop lower than the breast fold.
- One of your breasts droop lower than the other.
Will my breasts droop again?
A breast lift provides long-lasting and permanent results. However, your breasts will continue to change due to aging and gravity. Other factors that may affect your new breast’s appearance is rapid weight loss, weight fluctuations and new pregnancies/breastfeeding.
Is the placement of a nipple and areola affected by a breast lift?
Nipple lift is usually part of both breast lift and breast reduction surgeries. In patients with small breasts and only a small degree of sagging, increasing breast volume with implants often produces a small degree of nipple lift and does not require a separate procedure to lift the nipple.
Will breast implants itself raise sagging breasts?
If you have moderate to severe ptosis, you should perform a mastopexy (breast lift) as breast implants itself will not correct sagging. Only patients with a small degree of sagging, placing implants often produces a small degree of nipple uplift and will not require a mastopexy.
It is possible to increase or decrease my breast size during a breast lift surgery?
Yes, it is. If you would like to increase the size of your breasts you will require a breast lift with implants. If you would like to reduce your breasts ‘size, then you will need a breast reduction surgery. A breast reduction will reduce the size as well as uplifting your breasts to its original and normal position.
I don’t want implants. Can I still perform a breast lift?
Yes. If you have enough breast tissue and you are happy with the size of your breasts you will not need implants. If your breasts look empty and deflated, you will have better results with breast implants.
Can I breastfeed after a breast lift?
The supply of breast milk in mainly affected when milk ducts and nerves are cut during a breast surgery. A breast lift surgery may be more likely than a breast augmentation to affect your future ability to breastfeed. But this does not mean that you will not be able to do so. Many women have breastfed their babies after having a breast lift surgery.
What happens if I get pregnant after a breast lift?
If you want to have children, you should consider waiting to perform a breast lift. Every woman is different, and it is not possible to predict how your body will react. With pregnancy and breast feeding your breasts can sag again and ruin surgery results. However, many women have breast augmentations and lifts before having children and they have no problems afterwards. However, this is a personal choice and you should consider pros and cons before making a final decision.
Will I lose sensation after a breast lift?
Loss or changes in nipple sensation are one of the possible complications of breast lift surgery. It is not uncommon to temporarily lose sensation for weeks, moths or even up to 2 years. In rare cases total loss of sensation is rare.
What is the ideal age for a breast lift?
It is uncommon for teens to have droopy breasts, but breasts can start drooping at any age depending on your genetics, skin elasticity and weight fluctuations. A breast lift surgery is most commonly performed on women on their thirties/forties after having children. If you want to have long-lasting results it is advisable that you perform your breast lift after you are done with having children and you reach an ideal and stable weight.
What are the risks and complications associated with a breast lift?
A breast lift is a very safe procedure but as in any other surgery there is always a change of risks and complications. The most common complications associated with breast lift surgery are: anesthesia risks, hematoma, infection, poor healing, changes in nipple sensation and ability to breastfeed in the future.
During your consultation with Dr. Zia, surgery risks will be discussed in detail and you can ask all your questions.
Can I perform a breast lift if I am a smoker?
Patients should stop smoking a few months before and after the surgery since smoking significantly reduces the supply of oxygen, increasing the risk of complications, infection and healing problems.