Breast Lift

What Is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift is a breast procedure that addresses sagging breasts caused by various life changes and the natural aging process. Think of it like this: if you place a pencil horizontally in the fold beneath your breast and it stays put instead of falling, it’s a sign that your breasts have lost some of their firmness, often due to excess breast skin. This sagging or “ptosis” can happen after pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant weight fluctuations, or simply due to genetics and the passage of time.

Significant weight changes can lead to excess skin in the breasts, contributing to drooping.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding cause the breasts to swell and stretch the skin, resulting in a noticeable change. When your breast size returns to normal, the skin doesn’t always bounce back, leading to drooping. Aging also contributes to a natural decrease in skin elasticity and firmness of the breast tissue. Breast lifts, also known as mastopexy, involve removing excess skin and eliminating excess skin to achieve a more youthful position for the breasts and nipples. A breast lift repositions the breast tissue and nipple, elevates the nipple position to a more youthful position, removes loose skin, and restores a perkier, more youthful appearance. The desired outcome is to achieve youthful-looking breasts.

Consider the “pencil test”: If you were to take a pencil, place it in the fold beneath your breast so that the pencil is held parallel to the ground, does the pencil fall to the floor? Or does your breast crease hold the pencil in place? If your breast holds the pencil, you may be a candidate for a breast lift. Mild sagging may be addressed with less invasive techniques, such as a donut or peri-areolar incision.

The sagging shape of the breasts may be holding the pencil. Perky breasts do not usually have enough excess skin to hold the pencil against the chest wall. There are several contributing factors when it comes to drooping breasts, including:

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Aging
• Weight fluctuations
• Genetics

Over time, all areas of our bodies are susceptible to sag and loss of firmness; the breasts are no different. Pregnancy and breastfeeding alter the appearance of the breasts, which swell during pregnancy, causing the skin to stretch and become more prominent.

The skin doesn’t always shrink as your breast size stabilizes, resulting in drooping skin. These changes also occur as a simple fact of aging. Breast lifts focus on reshaping and elevating the breasts and nipples to a more youthful position by removing excess skin, but do not significantly increase breast volume. If more fullness is desired, combining a breast lift with another breast procedure, such as augmentation, may be recommended to achieve your desired outcome.

Preparing for Your Breast Lift Surgery

Preparing for your breast lift surgery is an important step toward achieving the best possible results and a smooth recovery. Before your breast lift procedure, you’ll meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals, review your medical history, and address any questions or concerns you may have. During this consultation, your surgeon will carefully assess your breast tissue, the amount of excess skin, and your overall health to determine the most effective approach for your breast lift.

To minimize the risk of complications, you may be asked to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, and to avoid smoking in the weeks leading up to your breast lift surgery. It’s also essential to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and to have a support system in place to assist you during the initial recovery period. By following your surgeon’s pre-operative instructions and preparing both physically and mentally, you’ll set the stage for a successful breast lift and the beautiful, natural-looking results you desire.

Breast Lift Procedures

Modern breast lift procedures have greatly benefited from advancements in surgical techniques and technology, enabling more personalized and effective treatments. Depending on your unique needs and the degree of sagging breasts or excess skin, your plastic surgeon may recommend different types of breast lift surgeries, such as the lollipop incision, anchor incision, or peri-areolar incision. Each technique is designed to address specific concerns and deliver a more youthful appearance to your breasts.

Many patients choose to combine their breast lift with other procedures, such as breast augmentation to enhance volume or breast reduction to achieve better proportions. With the expertise of a skilled plastic surgeon and the latest technology, you can look forward to natural-looking results and a rejuvenated breast contour that complements your body and boosts your confidence.

Breast Lift Recovery

You should get up and walk around a couple of hours after surgery to promote healthy blood flow. You will likely feel sore, and your breasts will be swollen. We will prescribe a pain reliever or recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever to help you feel more comfortable.

Wearing support garments and handling your breasts gently will help minimize swelling and promote optimal healing during recovery.

You should be home for a few days after surgery. Most patients experience manageable discomfort and are able to return to normal activities, such as work, within a week, but listen to your body and do what’s right for your recovery.

You’ll need to sleep on your back during this time to promote proper healing and settling of the breast tissue and avoid strenuous exercise for 4-6 weeks.

You can begin wearing underwire bras about eight weeks after surgery. During this time, you will start to see your final results.

Minor changes in shape and decreases in swelling can continue for up to a year, but you will see your final results a couple of months after the procedure.

How Much Does Breast Lift Surgery Cost In Baltimore, MD?

The cost of breast lift surgery in Owings Mills and the greater Baltimore area typically starts around $6,000 to $10,000. During your consultation, Dr. Tag’s team will provide a detailed estimate and discuss financing options available to you.

Breast Lift Surgery and Insurance

While a breast lift procedure is most often considered cosmetic surgery and not covered by insurance, there are exceptions in certain cases. If your breast lift is performed in conjunction with a breast reduction to alleviate medical issues such as back pain or skin irritation, your insurance provider may cover part of the cost. It’s important to consult with both your board-certified plastic surgeon and your insurance company to understand your coverage options and any potential out-of-pocket expenses.

Many plastic surgeons offer flexible financing options and payment plans to help make breast lift surgery more accessible. By exploring your insurance benefits and available payment solutions, you can make an informed decision about your breast lift and move forward with confidence, knowing you’re investing in your health and well-being.

Schedule Your Consultation With A Breast Lift Surgeon

If you live in or around Baltimore and are interested in breast lift surgery, please call the practice of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Maakan Taghizadeh.

We’re happy to answer your questions over the phone and arrange a consultation for you at U Plastic Surgery + Aesthetics!