Is a Breast Lift the Right Procedure for Me?
If you’re unsatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, it can be overwhelming at first to understand which type of breast procedure is right for you. Many patients are unhappy with drooping or sagging breasts, making a breast lift a good choice. However, there are some questions to consider when deciding if a breast lift is right for you. Dr. Kayastha at K Plastic Surgery can help guide you to the best decision, but it’s helpful to be informed before your consultation.
What is a Breast Lift?
A breast lift is a plastic surgery procedure designed to reduce sagging and restore the breasts to a youthful shape and position. This is achieved simply by reshaping the existing breast tissue and removing excess skin if necessary, rather than changing the size of the breasts. While the breasts may appear fuller after a breast lift due to their enhanced shape, the overall size does not change.
How is a Breast Lift Performed?
Breast lifts are performed under general anesthesia. To perform a breast lift, Dr. Kayastha may choose one of several incision techniques allowing him to reduce sagging skin and reshape the breast tissue. Typically, breast lift incisions are made around the areola, but vertical incisions from the areola to breast crease or horizontal incisions along the breast crease may also be necessary for more severe cases of sagging or skin laxity. After reshaping and repositioning the breasts, incisions are closed with sutures. Patients may then return home with a family member, friend, or caregiver who can drive them home and care for them in the early stages of recovery.
Why Do Patients Choose Breast Lifts?
Patients choose breast lifts for several reasons. Some patients have drooping breasts naturally, while others face sagging due to aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight fluctuation.
What is Breast Lift Recovery Like?
Following your breast lift, you will be required to rest at home for about two weeks before returning to your normal routine. You can expect swelling and some soreness, which can be treated with prescription pain medication. Typically, patients are ready to return to non-strenuous household activities, such as preparing meals, within about 24-48 hours, but should still avoid more difficult activities such as exercise. Dr. Kayastha will also advise you to wear a supportive surgical bra through the healing process to reduce swelling.
Recovery from a breast augmentation is overall similar to recovery from a breast lift. However, if you combine your breast lift with breast implants, recovery is slightly longer on average. Swelling and some soreness can be expected for up to a week, and strenuous activity should be avoided for at least 5-6 weeks.
Should I Have a Breast Lift or Breast Implants?
When deciding whether to have a breast lift or breast implants, you should first ask yourself what your primary goal is. If you are primarily focused on reshaping and repositioning the breasts, then you are likely a better candidate for a breast lift. If you are more concerned about the size of your breasts and a lack of fullness, then a breast augmentation using breast implants is likely a better option for you.
Another test to determine whether a breast lift is right for you is to check the position of the nipple. If your nipples point downwards and fall below the breast crease, a breast lift may be the option you are looking for to enhance the appearance of your breasts. Some patients try the “pencil test,” or place a pencil at their breast crease, to check for sagging. If the pencil is held in place and the nipples fall below it, you may be a candidate for a breast lift.
If you have decided that you would like to pursue a breast lift, you should also consider whether you are happy with the overall size and fullness of your breasts. If you feel that your breasts are too small, you may consider pairing a breast lift with breast implants.
Ultimately, determining which procedure is right for you requires a thorough consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon. At K Plastic Surgery, Dr. Kayastha will listen to your goals for your procedure, review your health history, and recommend a treatment plan best suited to your unique needs.
Combining a Breast Lift with Breast Implants
Often, aging, pregnancy, or weight loss can cause the breasts to sag and lose volume or fullness. If this is the case, you may want to consider a combination of a breast lift with breast implants to reposition the breasts and increase their size. You have many breast implant options, including saline or silicone implants, teardrop or round implants, and a range of sizes. Dr. Kayastha will help you choose the implants that will look natural and proportionate while meeting your goal results.
Can Breast Implants Lift the Breasts?
For some patients, breast implants can create a lifted appearance when the implants are carefully chosen, and specialized techniques are used. Selecting a larger-sized, teardrop-shaped implant can result in a lifted appearance for some patients. However, this technique is not recommended if you are not interested in a larger or fuller-looking result and may not be suitable if you have more severe sagging or skin laxity. Dr. Kayastha will carefully review your goal results and examine the treatment area to determine if breast implants alone could achieve the lifted look you have in mind.
When Will I See Results After a Breast Lift, Breast Augmentation, or Breast Lift with Implants?
With all breast procedures, you will be ready to return to work or your normal routine before final results are visible. This is because some residual swelling remains for some time after a majority of healing has taken place.
After a breast lift, your results will be immediately visible, but it can take a few months for swelling to dissipate, the overall shape to settle, and scars to fade.
After a breast augmentation, you can expect to see full results at about six months after your surgery. However, most patients will see few changes between about two and six months following their surgery. The same is true for combination breast lift and augmentation procedures.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re interested in a breast lift, breast augmentation, or combination procedure, your first step is a thorough consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. Dr. Kayastha at K Plastic Surgery is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has trained in prestigious programs and completed advanced training in microsurgery, hand surgery, and plastic surgery.
To schedule a consultation at K Plastic Surgery, call our Latham, NY office at (518) 674-9060 or contact us online.
Dr. Kayastha is a board certified plastic surgeon who serves Albany, NY and the entire Capital Region. Dr. Kayastha completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University and graduated with distinction in all subjects. He then attended medical school at SUNY Buffalo. During his time in Buffalo he also completed a fellowship in surgical pathology at Roswell Park. Following medical school Dr. Kayastha gained a much sought after position in the Michigan State-Grand Rapids integrated plastic surgery residency. After finishing residency training Dr. Kayastha completed a one year fellowship in hand and microsurgery at the Buncke Clinic in San Francisco. To round out his training before starting private practice Dr. Kayastha spent an additional 6 months learning from some of the best cosmetic surgeons in San Francisco. Dr. Kayastha is Board Certified in Plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.