Breast Lift Surgery: Expectations, Longevity, & Maintenance

Breast Lift surgery or Mastopexy is a cosmetic procedure that helps reshape and lift your breast. It restores the youthful appearance of your breasts, making them look more beautiful. Among the many benefits it offers, the patients often express concerns regarding its longevity. 

Experts opine that the longevity of this surgery depends on many factors including the individual's weight, age, skin elasticity, etc. But, with proper maintenance, the results will last longer. With the desire to flaunt an appealing figure, the craze for Breast Lift is only increasing with time. 

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Breast Lift remained in the top 5 surgical procedures performed in the United States in 2022. Of the total 1.5 million surgical procedures carried out, Breast Lift stood 4th with 143,364 procedures, which was 30% more than in 2019. Are you intrigued to know more about this surgical procedure? Here are the requisite details.

What is Breast Lift Surgery?

In technical terms, Breast Lift surgery refers to the process of removing tissue and excess skin from your breasts. It repositions the nipple-areola to a higher position. With this, it makes your breasts look firmer and gives it a lifted appearance. Surgeons customize the procedure to meet individual needs and help them get desired results. 

But, you must know that Breast Lift surgery cannot do the following things:

• Make your breasts look bigger or smaller
• Repair any kind of damage from injury or surgery

Therefore, if you want to undergo this surgery due to any of these two reasons, don’t do that. Direct consultation with your surgeon will be advisable to know your goals and if Breast Lift can help you attain them.

What should you expect from the Breast Lift surgery?

Individuals undergo Breast Lift surgery for various reasons. Some want to make their breasts look more beautiful, others want to just get rid of the sagging breasts, etc. Many women seek to reshape their breasts. But, can this surgery resolve all breast-looking related issues? Let's know what you can expect from this surgery.

1. Reposition sagging breasts

Over time, specific factors like aging, pregnancy, etc., can make your breasts lose their natural shape and firmness. With the Breast Lift surgery, you can reposition your sagging breasts to give you rejuvenated and uplifted breasts. It improves your overall appearance and body proportions.

2. Reshape distorted breasts

Besides repositioning sagging breasts, the Breast Lift surgery can also reshape your distorted breasts. It corrects asymmetry and restores the balance of the breast contouring. Your surgeon can create harmony between your two breasts, offering a balanced look.

3. Make your breasts symmetrical

Individuals mostly go for Breast Lift surgery to make their breasts symmetrical. It ensures that both your breasts look aligned in shape, size, and position. During the surgery, the surgeon checks your breasts and adjusts them as per your body proportion.

4. Lower the size of the enlarged areola

Not many people know that Breast Lift surgery can also lower the size of an enlarged areola. Through the precise surgical technique, your surgeon will reshape the areola and give it a pleasing appearance.

If your reason also falls in any of these categories, you are good to go for the Breast Lift surgery. But once you undergo the procedure, will the results last for a lifetime? What should you do to ensure the longevity of your surgery outcomes? Here is the answer.

Factors that affect the longevity of Breast Lift surgery

Even though Breast Lifting surgery is common, its longevity may differ. Generally, the result lasts anywhere from 5 to 15 years. However, the exact duration depends on different factors that affect the longevity of Breast Lift surgery. Here are some of them:

1. Genetics

Several inherent factors can affect the longevity of this surgery. These include skin elasticity, familial predisposition, breast tissue density, etc. If you have any of these genetic issues, the result may not last that much longer.

2. Age

Your age can be a major factor that can influence the longevity of the surgery. It is because changes happen in the volume and laxity of your breast tissue with the growing age. So, it is natural that your surgery may not last up to 15 years. You don’t need to feel disappointed with the reduced longevity of your Breast Lift result if it is due to your growing age.

3. Weight fluctuation

The duration of the Breast Lift surgery may depend on our weight. It is because when you go for the surgery, your body weight may be different. After a certain point, if you gain or lose weight, it will again make your breasts look asymmetric. The key to maintaining your results in this regard is to maintain your weight within the permissible limits. Exceeding beyond a specified weight will have serious implications on your outcomes.

4. Exercise

If you exercise regularly, the result of the surgery may last longer. This is because regular exercise or physical activity can help maintain muscle tone. This can also maintain your body contour. Connecting with your gym or yoga instructor will be a smart choice in this regard.

5. Healthy lifestyle choices

Apart from regular exercise, you must maintain a healthy lifestyle to make it last longer. You must stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet. You must also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol if you want long-lasting results. Taking small breaks of 10-15 minutes from your work at regular intervals would be a good idea if your job demands working continuously for 9-10 hours or more.

6. Adherence to postoperative instruction

After the Breast Lift surgery, your surgeon will provide you with postoperative instructions. These may include wearing supportive garments, attending follow-up appointments, etc. The expert may recommend avoiding strenuous activities to ensure long-term success. Lifting heavy weights or doing strenuous workouts would be a strict no if you are serious about reducing your recovery time and increasing the longevity of your Breast Lift results.

Practical maintenance tips to ensure long-term results

To ensure long-term results, you must follow some practical strategies. It will support healing and promote better results. Incorporating the following habits will improve the outcome and make your smiles broader.

1. Frequent check-ups with surgeon

Frequent follow-up meetings with your surgeon are necessary after the Breast Lift surgery. The expert will monitor the progress and help you deal with complications. They may offer you post-operative guidance and ongoing support. So, you must maintain open communication with your surgeon and make your healing faster. Make sure not to hide anything from your surgeon, before, during, or after the surgery. It will only help in prompt healing.

3. Wear supportive and right-sized bras

Wearing the right-fitted bras is important to offer your breasts the stability and support they need. It will preserve the lift that you got through the Breast Lift surgery. Therefore, you must invest in high-quality supportive bras that offer proper uplift without making you feel uncomfortable. Always choose a garment that has soft straps and comes with breathable fabric.

4. Hydration and nutritious diet

Proper hydration and a nutritious diet are equally necessary to maintain the longevity of your Breast Lift outcomes. Both these activities will produce collagen and improve your skin elasticity. So, drink water to maintain your hydration level and have fresh and homemade healthy food. Include minerals, vitamins, protein, antioxidants, etc. in your diet. It will assist you to maintain a healthy weight as well. Consultation with your nutritionist or dietician will be advisable to enable your body to get a nutritious diet.

5. Avoid sun exposure

Prolonged sun exposure can affect the skin elasticity and hamper the result. It can affect your healing period as well. It is hence better to take precautions and avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun. If you cannot do it, using sunscreen before you go out would be advisable. This can support long-term maintenance of your Breast Lifting result.

Choose your surgeon wisely

An experienced and qualified Breast Lift surgeon is one of the foremost needs to make way for long-lasting results. Therefore, you need to be careful when approaching the best surgeon. Abiding by these points could help your task

• Knowing about the qualifications of the surgeon
• Experience of the surgeon in performing Breast Lift
• The success record of the doctor in carrying out Breast Lift surgery
• Checking out the past and present photos of his patients
• Communicating with the patients who underwent Breast Lift from your chosen surgeon earlier
• Going through doctor’s reviews and testimonials available online

Final Words

You can go for the Breast Lift surgery if you are the right candidate. But, to get long-term results, you must follow several essential tips. Visit your surgeon frequently to know about the progress and follow everything that the expert asks you to do. Before that, it is imperative to select your surgeon wisely.