If you are considering cosmetic breast surgery, you may be wondering if reaching your goals will require a breast lift, or mastopexy. This transformative surgery can restore a youthful, lifted appearance to your breasts by reversing sagging and raising the nipple higher on the breast mound through incisions placed around the edge of the areola, tracing down to the lower breast fold, and sometimes further extending along the lower edge of the breast where bra underwires lie.
This is a highly customized procedure, allowing your plastic surgeon to reshape your breasts after significant changes due to pregnancy, weight loss, and aging. Here, we outline the questions to ask if you are considering scheduling a breast lift consultation.
1. Do your nipples fall below the breast crease?
One of the most noticeable signs that you could benefit from a breast lift is if your nipples fall below your lower breast fold (the inframammary fold). When breast tissues begin to sag, the nipple and areola may point downward or face toward the ground. A breast lift can reposition the nipples higher on the chest and restore a firmer, more natural-looking breast shape.
Before and after breast lift surgery with Dr. Henry F. Garazo. To see uncensored images, plus additional angles, please visit our before and after gallery.
2. Have you lost upper breast fullness?
Loss of upper breast fullness (upper pole fullness) is common, particularly after breastfeeding and significant weight loss. Your breasts may appear deflated or less voluminous than they used to in low-cut tops and dresses. A breast lift can help restore your breasts to a more youthful shape by raising and reshaping the tissue. Or, combining a breast lift with breast implants in a hybrid breast augmentation procedure may offer the best result if you have also lost significant breast volume.
Mastopexy allows for the reshaping and repositioning of each breast separately to create a more symmetrical look.
3. Are you experiencing discomfort or skin irritation?
Beyond aesthetic concerns, sagging breasts can sometimes lead to physical discomfort. You might notice irritation or rashes forming under your breasts, particularly in warmer months or when your breasts rub against your skin. The weight of sagging breasts can also strain your neck, shoulders, and back, leading to persistent pain. If these symptoms sound familiar, a breast lift may be able to alleviate some of the discomfort by reshaping and lifting the breasts, allowing for less friction and better overall posture. A breast reduction mastopexy may also be an option if you are experiencing pain from heavy breasts and would like to reduce your breast size in addition to achieving a lifted appearance.
4. Has one breast fallen lower than the other?
Breast asymmetry is common, but if one breast has noticeably sagged lower than the other, a breast lift can correct this imbalance. Mastopexy allows for the reshaping and repositioning of each breast separately to create a more symmetrical look.
If you've answered "yes" to any of the questions above and would like to see an aesthetic change in your breasts, then we recommend scheduling a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Henry F. Garazo at Plastic Surgery Services in Hagerstown, MD. Dr. Garazo will talk with you about your goals and educate you about the procedure options that can address them. Call 301-791-1800 to get started today!
