Breast Lift Surgery
If we ask why breast lift surgery is performed… Like all soft tissues in the human body, breast tissue sags and loosens with age. This condition, called “ptosis,” can also be seen at an early age in some women due to structural characteristics. Events that dramatically change breast volume in a short period, such as pregnancy and breastfeeding, also influence this process. The problem is usually that the breast skin loosens and sags disproportionately to the volume of the underlying breast tissue.
Treatment Summary
The following information is for general guidance purposes.
Exact durations and procedures are determined after individual evaluation.
Operation Duration
2 - 4 Hours
Hospital Stay
1 Night
Anesthesia
General Anesthesia
Full Recovery
4 - 6 Weeks
The existing breast volume, along with the surrounding skin envelope, shifts downward. In such breasts, the nipple-areola complex also moves toward the lower end of the deformed breast, often extending past the inframammary fold. The resulting appearance can cause dissatisfaction in modern women, prompting a desire for firmer, uplifted, and well-shaped breasts.
This issue is addressed through a surgical procedure called “mastopexy.” Mastopexy (breast lift) essentially involves repositioning the displaced breast volume and nipple-areola complex to their proper locations and removing excess skin. These procedures can be combined with breast augmentation or reduction surgeries, allowing the patient both to correct sagging and achieve their desired breast size.
Since mastopexy procedures can range from simple to complex, it is difficult to provide general information regarding the duration of surgery, whether hospitalization is required, or the course of recovery. These factors can vary significantly from patient to patient. However, as with nearly all aesthetic surgeries, it can take up to one year for the breasts to settle into their final shape after the procedure.
Breast Lift Surgery Plan
ChatGPT:
What Types of Techniques Are Used in the Surgery?
The most important part of surgical planning is deciding which type of procedure is suitable, taking into account the degree of breast sagging and the current size. The greater the degree of sagging, the more noticeable the scars will be after surgery.
Mildly Loose and Sagging Breasts
If the degree of sagging in your breasts is mild, we can decide together what type of procedure is needed by also considering the size of your breasts. If the breast size is normal, removing a small amount of excess skin in a circular pattern around the nipple and slightly repositioning the nipple upward is sufficient. This type of procedure leaves only a circular scar around the nipple.
If your breasts have mild sagging but also appear somewhat small, an attractive option is to perform breast augmentation using teardrop-shaped anatomical silicone implants without a lift, simply to increase the size of your breasts.
Moderate and Severe Loose and Sagging Breasts
If your breasts are moderately to severely sagging, two different approaches can be considered. The first option is more suitable for moderate sagging. In this technique, the excess skin around the nipple is removed in a circular pattern. When the remaining skin is lifted toward the lower part of the breast, the breast tissue is exposed. A breast reshaping procedure is applied to the lower part of the breast. The incisions are closed in a circular manner around the nipple, leaving only a circular scar around the nipple.
In the second option, excess skin is removed both around the nipple in a circular pattern and vertically down toward the lower edge of the breast. After reshaping the lower part of the breast, the incisions are stitched closed. This results in a circular scar around the nipple, along with a vertical scar extending downward from the lower edge of the nipple.
If your breasts appear small and you want them to be larger, silicone implants can also be placed during the same procedure to increase breast size.
Recovery Period After Breast Lift Surgery
Breast lift surgery is performed in a properly equipped hospital and requires general anesthesia. The procedure takes approximately 3 hours. You can stand up 2–3 hours after the surgery, and a one-day hospital stay is usually sufficient. Postoperative pain is generally mild and can be easily managed with painkillers.
Swelling (edema) and occasional bruising may occur due to the surgery, but these typically decrease and disappear within about 10 days. You can take a bath 2–3 days after the surgery. If self-dissolving hidden stitches are used during the procedure, there is no need for additional stitch removal, eliminating that stress.
The recovery period is comfortable, and most of it is spent standing rather than lying in bed. You can return to work within a few days and be ready for activities such as air travel. After the 15 days required for the wounds to heal, you can also go swimming in pools or the sea.
Can I Breastfeed My Baby If I Become Pregnant After a Breast Lift Surgery?
ChatGPT:
Risks of Breast Lift Surgery
In patients with fair skin and normal wound healing, surgical scars are generally not very noticeable. However, the visibility of scars can still vary depending on a person’s genetics, age, and skin characteristics. Initially, the scars appear reddish, but over time, they fade to match the natural skin color. This process usually takes around 5–6 months. It takes approximately 6 months for your breasts to fully settle into their new shape.
Breast lift surgery provides firmer, more uplifted, and fuller breasts. This improvement also enhances your self-confidence.