What is Breast Lift Surgery?

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What is the meaning of Breast Lift Surgery?

Breast lift surgery is known as mastopexy or breast reshaping surgery. It is a surgical procedure done to change the shape of the breasts.  The excess skin is removed in breast lift surgery, and breast tissue is reshaped to raise the breast. A breast lift surgery is mainly done to restore the sagging breasts and make them more attractive. A breast lift procedure can increase or decrease the size of the breasts.

Let us explain in detail breast lift surgery in today’s article.

• What is the purpose of Breast Lift Surgery?
• What is the diagnostic procedure before a Breast Lift Surgery?
• How to prepare for Breast Lift Surgery?
• What is the procedure of Breast Lift Surgery?
• How to take care after Breast Lift Surgery?
• What are the risks of Breast Lift Surgery?
• What is the cost of Breast Lift Surgery in India?

What is the purpose of Breast Lift Surgery?

Breast lift surgery can be performed because of the following conditions:

• In case of sagging of the breasts
• The nipples point downward
• The breasts are tilted downwards
• For correcting the shape of the breast
• If the areola (the skin around the nipple) has become larger
• One of the breasts falls lower as compared to the other breast

The above changes are generally seen due to:

• Pregnancy
• Increase in age
• Weight fluctuations
• Breastfeeding
• Genetics
• Gravity

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What is the diagnostic procedure before a Breast Lift Surgery?

• Physical examination: The doctor will first physically examine the breasts of the patient, including the position of the nipples and the areola. The doctor also checks the quality of the skin tone. A good skin tone quality holds the breast in a better position following a breast lift. The doctor may take photographs of the breasts for medical records.
• Medical history and family history: The doctor will inquire about the patient’s present and past medical history. The doctor also notes down any family history of breast cancer. The patient should inform the doctor about any medications, supplements, or herbs that she may be taking.
• Mammogram: It is an x-ray image of the breast. The doctor may recommend a baseline mammogram before the surgery, and a few months after the surgery to check for any changes that may have taken place in the breast tissue.

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How to prepare for Breast Lift Surgery?

• Inform your doctor about any pre-existing medical conditions that you may be having.
• Tell your doctor about any medications, supplements, or herbs that you may be taking.
• Discuss your expectations from the surgery in terms of the appearance of the breast after the procedure and understand the various benefits and risks of the procedure from the doctor.
• Quit smoking at least two weeks before the surgery. Smoking can reduce the blood flow to the skin and slow down the healing process.
• The doctor may recommend stopping blood-thinning medications like aspirin and warfarin that you may be taking a few days before the surgery. These medicines may increase the chances of bleeding during and after the surgery.
• The doctor may advise you to not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before the surgery.
• Arrange for someone to help you during the recovery period.

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What is the procedure of Breast Lift Surgery?

• The procedure is generally performed under general anesthesia (the patient is put to sleep during the procedure).
• Normally this procedure is an outpatient procedure, that is, the woman can go home on the day of the surgery. In some cases, you may have to stay in the hospital for a day.
• During the surgery, the patient is connected to various monitors to check the heart rate, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen circulating in the blood. 

• To begin, the doctor makes a deep incision around the nipple or down the breast to reshape your breast tissue and reduce the size of the areolae.
• The type of incision made, and the procedure done depends on the amount of breast skin that needs to be removed, the patient’s level of breastfeeding, the breast size of the woman, the position of the nipple, and the size and standing of the areola.
• The commonly used techniques for breast lift surgery include:

• Crescent lift: A small incision that runs halfway across the upper half of the areola border. This procedure causes minimal scarring. It is generally done to lift the nipple and the areola.
• Vertical or Lollipop lift: The incision is made around the areola, and downwards to the breast crease to make a lollipop contour. It helps in correcting mild sagging.
• Anchor or Inverted T lift: This procedure is done in cases of extensive sagging. It helps the surgeon in the removal of a substantial amount of sagging tissues and extra skin.
• Donut lift: It involves making a circular incision around the areola. This helps in reducing the areola size and is done in cases requiring a small breast lift.

• Following incisions made by the surgeon, the breast tissue is raised and reshaped for enhancement of the breast shape and stability.
• The excessive breast skin is eliminated.
• The nipple and the areola are repositioned.
• The incisions are then closed using sutures (stitches) or surgical tapes.
• After surgery, a heavy gauze dressing (bandage) will be wrapped around the breasts and chest, or the doctor will recommend wearing a surgical support bra. 
• Drainage tubes are attached to the patient’s breasts for draining any excess blood or fluid.

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How to take care after Breast Lift Surgery? 

After surgery, the patient is shifted to the recovery room and is supervised by a team of doctors and nurses. The time of discharge from the hospital depends on the patient’s condition. For a good recovery, the doctor recommends the following:

• The breasts are covered with gauze and a surgical support bra post-surgery.
• Small tubes may be placed at the site of the incision to drain any excess fluid or blood.
• It is normal for the breasts to have some swelling and bruising for approximately two weeks after the surgery.
• The patient may experience some pain and soreness around the incision area.
• There may be some numbness in the breast skin, nipple, and areola after the surgery. This may last for up to six weeks. 
• After surgery, you may experience stiffness in the breasts and a sore throat for a few days, which is normal.
• The drainage tubes are removed a few days after the surgery. 
• If the stitches given are non-dissolvable, the doctor will remove them one or two weeks after the surgery.
• Take adequate rest after the surgery.
• Take medications for pain after the procedure, as recommended by the doctor.
• Do not lift any heavy weights for a few months after surgery.
• Do not perform any bending and jumping exercises until your doctor says so.
• Avoid any sexual activity for at least one or two weeks after the surgery.
• To avoid pressure on the breasts, the doctor recommends sleeping on the back.
• Wear a surgical support bra to provide support to the breasts for three to four days. A soft support bra should be then worn for three to four weeks.
• Avoid exposure to the sun in the healing period.
• If you are employed, then depending on your recovery, you can go back to work after a week or two.
• If you experience excessive stiffness and pain in the breasts, then contact the doctor.

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What are the risks of Breast Lift Surgery?

Any type of surgical procedure has some risks. In the same way, the risks associated with breast lift operation are as follows:

• Swelling
• Numbness
• Bluish discoloration
• Scarring
• Sensory loss in the breast or nipple for a few days.
• Nipple damage
• Asymmetry of breasts
• Having trouble breastfeeding
• Bleeding
• Risk of infection
• Allergic reaction to materials used during the surgery.

If the patient experiences any of these problems after surgery, contact the doctor immediately.

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What is the cost of Breast Lift Surgery in India?

The total cost of breast lift surgery in India can range from around INR 1,50,000 to INR 2,00,000. However, the cost of the procedure may vary across different hospitals. There are many big hospitals and specialized doctors in India for breast lift surgery. The cost varies across different hospitals.

If you are coming from abroad, in addition to the expenses of breast lift surgery, there will be a cost of staying in a hotel, cost of living, and cost of local travel. Apart from this, after the procedure, the patient is kept in hospital for 1 day and in the hotel for 7 days for recovery. So, the total cost of breast lift surgery in India comes to be around INR 1,90,000 to INR 3,00,000.

We hope that we were able to answer all your questions regarding breast lift operation through this article.

If you need more information and treatment of breast lift operation, then contact the Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon.

We only aim to give you information through the article. We do not recommend medication or treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.