An increasing number of women are choosing to reverse gravity by having surgery breast lift procedure.
The prevalence of breast lift surgery has increased by 70% since 2000 – double the increase in breast implant surgery, according to new statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
“A breast lift – or ‘mastopexy’ – is a procedure in which excess skin is removed to tighten the breast envelope,” she said. based in New York plastic surgeon and specialist in breast reconstruction Dr. Constance M. Chen in comments on Fox News Digital.
BBL NOT ALWAYS A-OK: WHY THE BRAZILIAN BUT LIFT IS ONE OF THE DEADLIEST PLASTIC SURGERY EVER
“This also repositions the breast tissue and the nipple-areola complex higher on the chest wall.”
Why do women choose breast lift?
All women’s breasts change with time and gravity, Chen noted.
New York-based plastic surgeon and breast reconstruction specialist Dr. Constance M. Chen (shown at left) shares what women should know if they are considering breast lift surgery. (Constance M. Chen/iStock)
“As women age, it is typical and natural for the skin to lose elasticity and the breasts to sag,” she said.
Breastfeeding is the biggest cause of this, he said. but occasionally some women who did not breastfeed they may find that their breasts sag over time.
“Menopause is also a factor because the dense, glandular breast tissue is replaced by fat—and the fatty tissue is softer and less firm,” Chen said.
DO YOU KNOW THE DANGERS OF LIP INJECTIONS?
“If a woman is unhappy with sagging breasts, the only way to fix it is surgery,” said the doctor. “A well-fitting bra can provide support for a better appearance in clothing, but exercises to tighten the underlying breast muscles will not affect the breast tissue itself.”
In most cases, a mastectomy will not change the size of the breasts, although the result can make the breasts appear fuller and rounder, according to Chen.
The prevalence of breast lift surgery has increased by 70% since 2000 – double the increase in breast implant surgery, according to new statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (iStock)
“In cases where a woman wants larger or smaller breasts, additional procedures such as augmentation or reduction can be done in conjunction with a breast lift,” he said.
Dr. Brian Reagan of CosmetiCare, who practices at San Diego, Californiahe said many patients come to his practice for lifts after having children — usually a few months after breastfeeding.
“Breasts will change for months after breastfeeding, so we want to wait at least three months,” she told Fox News Digital.
Types of breast lift
There are several different mastoplasty procedures depending on the degree of lift required, advises Chen.
The “crescent lift” is the least invasive procedure. In this case, a crescent of skin at the top of the nipple-areola complex is removed to improve the nipple’s position, Chen said.
MEN’S HEALTH PIONEERS COMPLETE ‘BREASTFEEDING SIMULATION CHALLENGE’ AT TEXAS HOSPITAL: ‘HUGE EYE OPENER’
“A crescent lift is required when the breasts are basically perky, but the woman wants her nipple-areola complex to adjust slightly upwards,” noted the doctor.
“In cases where a woman wants bigger breasts, the crescent lift can be done in combination with breast augmentation.”
“As women age, it’s typical and natural for the skin to lose elasticity and the breasts to sag,” said a New York-based plastic surgeon and breast reconstruction specialist (not pictured). (iStock)
A “Benelli lift” is also used to provide a slight lift for breasts that are just drooping.
“Here, a donut-shaped incision is made around the nipple-aroid complex and the skin is tightened,” Chen said. “While this type of breast lift is less invasive than a full lift, it can have the side effect of flattening the breast. An implant can be used to improve breast projection.”
A “lollipop lift,” or small scar vertical mastectomy, is used when the breast tissue itself needs to be placed higher on the chest wall, the doctor noted.
CHARLIE’S ABORTION CHATBOT HELPED WOMEN TERMINATE THEIR PREGNANCY: ‘LET’S GET STARTED’
“Short-scar vertical mastopexy refers to the limited scarring around the nipple-areola complex and then perpendicular to the fold under the breast, which looks like a lollipop,” Chen said. “In this procedure, more breast skin is removed and the underlying breast tissue is repositioned to significantly change the shape of the breast and lift it.”
Finally, an “anchor lift”—or the traditional Wise-pattern mastectomy—adds a horizontal scar along the fold below the breast to the same scars of the vertical mastectomy, which allows for tissue reshaping and repositioning.
Every plastic surgery procedure comes with some degree of risk – and a breast lift is no exception, experts say. (iStock)
“This is an older procedure used by older surgeons who are not trained in vertical mastopexy, who are particularly prone to use it when there is significant sagging in the large breast,” noted Chen.
Vertical and Wise-pattern mastopexy are both full breast lifts that are equally effective at creating a more perky, more youthful result, according to Chen.
PREGNANT WITH BRAIN CANCER REFUSES ABORTION: ‘KILLING MY BABY WOULDN’T SAVE ME’
“Vertical mastopexy is also called ‘short scar mastopexy’ because it eliminates the horizontal scar in the inframammary fold,” he said. “It’s an improvement on anchor hoisting.”
She added, “Full mastopexy is the most commonly performed breast lift because it is usually the right technique for someone who wants a noticeable change in the appearance of their breast.”
Risks of a breast lift
Every plastic surgery procedure comes with some degree of risk – and a breast lift is no exception.
“The ideal candidate [for a breast lift] it’s someone who is healthy, has no medical problems and has deflated, droopy breasts,” said one expert. (iStock)
Regan said the main risks associated with a breast lift are reduced nipple sensation, possible tissue loss (including the nipple) and poor scarring.
Because of the increased risk, there are certain groups of people who are not good candidates for the procedure, he said.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
He advises against getting smokers to get a breast lift, for example.
“Active smoking can cause delayed healing and possible open wounds,” Regan said.
He recommends stopping the habit at least six to eight weeks before surgery.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
People who have existing medical problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, are also not good candidates, the doctor warned.
“The ideal candidate is someone who is healthy, has no medical problems and has deflated, droopy breasts,” he said.
For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
