As we age, everything sags; it’s just a part of normal aging. But for a woman, one especially unwelcome area where sagging occurs is her breasts. With the passing years, our breasts flatten, lose volume (especially toward the upper breast), and the nipples can even begin to point downward. If you’ve had a child or two, it’s a virtual lock that those characteristics describe your breasts.
But you don’t have to live with your flattened, sagging breasts. Why not come see us at Gaines Plastic Surgery to have Dr. Gaines perform a breast lift? This surgery will bring your breasts back up to a higher, firmer position on the chest. And if you’d like to add some volume, he can add implants as an easy extension of the procedure.
What is a breast lift?
A breast lift, clinically termed mastopexy, removes excess skin and tightens supporting tissue to bring the breasts back up higher on the chest. The procedure aims to rectify sagging that has occurred due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, gravity, and simple aging. After this procedure, the breasts will be higher and firmer. It’s likely that Dr. Gaines will reposition or resize the nipples and areolae as part of the surgery.
Who would benefit from a breast lift?
Sagging is the deciding factor on if a breast lift would benefit a patient. If these characteristics fit your situation, a breast lift could be a good procedure:
- Sagging breasts
- Breasts that have flattened and lost shape
- Breasts that have lost volume
- Breasts that have become elongated
- Nipples that point downward
- Unevenly sized breasts
It’s important for anyone considering a breast lift to contemplate if she wants to have children down the road. If so, a breast lift should be postponed, as pregnancy and breastfeeding will negate its effects.
How is a breast lift done?
Dr. Gaines uses different incision locations depending on the unique situation of each patient. During your consultation, after he is familiar with your particular degree of sagging and stretched skin, he’ll discuss with you the incision method he thinks will work best for you. Much depends on the amount of excess skin that has developed. These are the incision placements:
- Two rings around the areolae in a donut shape. This is ideal if you have smaller breasts and there isn’t excessive sagging skin.
- Around the areolae and down vertically to the breast crease. Called the lollipop incision, this incision allows more access.
- Around the areolae, down to the breast crease, and outward in each direction along the crease. This “anchor” incision allows the most adjustment when the patient has significant sagging, excess skin.
Once the incision is made, excess, fatty breast tissue is removed and the breasts are reshaped, moving the mass upward. In most cases, the nipple/areola will be moved to a higher location. Excess skin is trimmed. In cases where the patient has lost volume, she may opt to have breast implants included with this procedure to regain lost volume. Adding implants is a simple extension, as Dr. Gaines is able to place the implants through the incisions already made for the breast lift.
Sagging, flattened breasts don’t have to be a fact of your future life. Call us at Gaines Plastic Surgery, (352) 333-9600, to schedule a consultation for a breast lift.