Tired of sagging breasts? You’re not alone. Aging, significant weight loss, and breastfeeding cause women’s breasts to sag over time. A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, helps many of my Guilford, CT, area patients by lifting droopy, deflated breasts and providing an improved contour.

The cosmetic procedure removes excess skin and tightens surrounding tissue, helping you to enjoy breasts with a plumper, firmer shape and better support with a sleeker silhouette. Breast lifts are becoming more popular than breast augmentation with implants, but patients are often confused about the procedure. In this blog post, I answer some of the most common questions I hear about breast lift surgery.

What causes a sagging breast?

Skin elasticity diminishes over time, causing breast sagging and loss of firmness. Some of the things that can contribute to these issues are weight fluctuations, pregnancy, breastfeeding, as well as the aging effects of time and gravity. Some women are more prone to saggy breasts due to genetic factors.

It’s important to understand that breast lift surgery won’t increase the actual size of your breast, nor can it alter the shape of the upper portion of the breasts. For these issues, you may need to consider breast implants, as I discuss in this related blog post.

How do I know if I need a breast lift?

This procedure may be a good fit for you if you would like to lift sagging breasts, thereby increasing their fullness and improving their overall shape. Also, if you feel uncomfortable due to enlarged areolas or areolas that point downward, a breast lift can address these issues. The surgery can also provide symmetry to breasts that are uneven due to one being lower than the other.

You can read more about who is a good candidate for a breast lift in this American Society of Plastic Surgeons article.

What’s involved in a breast lift?

You will consult with the surgeon regarding your particular needs and the type of procedure you can expect. Incision patterns and technique used will vary based on your own breasts and desired results.

Aspects considered in each consultation include breast size, shape, position and size of areolas, the extent of sagging, and the elasticity of your skin, as well as the amount of skin. You can see some of my patients’ results in my breast lift before-and-after photo gallery.

How do I prepare for a breast lift?

You may be asked to undergo some changes in your lifestyle prior to your breast lift surgery. You may need to make adjustments to your medications, quit smoking, or undergo medical testing.

What is breast lift recovery like?

Gauze and tape will be applied to your breasts following surgery, and you’ll need to wear a garment such as a support bra to aid in the healing process.

Your surgeon will provide you with aftercare instructions. You will also need to make a follow-up appointment to be sure everything is healing as expected.

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks to consider. The surgeon will help you to weigh the risks involved.

Schedule a Consultation

Breast lift surgery may be the right procedure for you if you are looking for improved shape and placement of your breasts rather than an increase in size. Many patients are opting for this alternative to breast implants. Contact the office of Dr. Beth Collins, M.D. today using our online form or by calling our office at (203) 689-5295 to schedule your appointment.