The loss of skin elasticity, gravity, the weight loss as well as pregnancy and breastfeeding have unpredictable effects on the shape and the firmness of the breast.
Women who are satisfied with the breast size, but the breast is drooping and loosening can undergo breast lifting.
Women with a breast volume decrease, breast ptosis and breast looseness can undergo a breast lifting surgical operation which is combined with the use of silicone implants or fat tissue in order to increase breast volume.
Am I a candidate for breast lifting?
Women who are candidates for breast lifting are women with:
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Breast which is loose and with no volume.
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Breast which is adequate in size but the nipple and areola are in the lower part of the breast.
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Breast in which the nipple areola complex is in the right position, but the breast is empty and loose.
Visit to the plastic surgeon
During the initial visit it will be discussed the desired shape and size of the breast, the use or not of silicone implants and the techniques to be used in order to lift the breasts namely if the nipple and areola will be moved to a higher position and how this will happen.
How is breast lifting performed and where are the incisions made?
Breast lifting has a wide range of surgical techniques depending on the breast ptosis, the size and the looseness of the breast skin. In cases with a slight looseness we use silicone implants without repositioning the nipple and areola complex. We use silicone implants of anatomic shape in order to correct the problem permanently.
In some cases we use the fat transfer method (positioning fat from another part of the body to the breast) instead the use of silicone implants. The breast is elevated, with more volume and the result is totally natural.
In cases with larger ptosis and looseness we use silicone implants while the relocation of the nipple is performed through a small incision to the upper half of the areola. It is a very effective technique, without many incisions as the hall procedure is performed through a single tiny incision of 3cm on the upper end of the areola complex (this technique concerns breasts of medium size and nipple ptosis of 3-5 cm).
In cases of excessive ptosis, breast lifting is performed through the same incisions as in breast reduction. Nowadays, the technique that has prevailed is Vertical Breast Reduction and provides the most natural and long lasting effects. By this technique we avoid the unaesthetic anchor shaped incisions which cause many inelegant problems from the chest up to the anterior axillary line.
In breast lifting besides the removal of the loose skin we also perform an internal remodeling of the breast. The drooped breast is used as internal implant (autologous implant) providing volume to the problematic area of the upper breast pole.
It is an innovative technique, with no use of external materials (implants). The internal drooped breast is reshaped in to a lifted, tight breast similar to the one the woman had during the teenage years.
This technique is for many years now an integral part of the breast lifting surgery.
In cases of excessive ptosis and inadequate breast volume we use silicone implants, autologous fat transplantation or a combination of the above and through the performance of vertical mammoplasty the areola complex is repositioned to a higher level.
Breast lifting complications
Breast lifting is an internationally famous surgical operation for breast ptosis and reduction of breast size.
Potential complications, although quite rare, are the formation of a hematoma or an infection.
In addition there might be slight asymmetries in shape and size of the breast as well as the nipple and areola, which can be corrected very easily.
Furthermore, there might be a slight feeling of numbness in the nipple for a short period of time which subsides quickly.
In the case of pregnancy, women are able to breastfeed after the operation.
Preparing for breast lift surgery
Women who are candidates for breast reduction, with no breast cancer history and aged below 35 years old undergo a breast ultrasound before surgery while in women over 35 years a mammogram is required before surgery.
Furthermore smoking cessation as well as cessation of aspirin, various anti-inflammatory drugs as well as vitamin supplements use because they may cause bleeding.
All patients before surgery undergo preoperative, hematology, radiology and ECG tests.
The surgery
The operation takes place in certified Hospital and is performed under general anesthesia.
The surgery lasts 3-4 hours and after the surgery the patient remains in the hospital for 3-4 hours and may go home wearing only a special sports bra without any tubes placed in the area.
Antibiotic treatment and analgesic medications are taken for 5-6 days.
The days after the operation
The patient is able to bathe from the very next day. She can cover her scars only with sterile gauze and by waring the special bra.
The patient doesn’t feel pain. There might be a slight feeling of burning in the incisions area which subsides after 2-3 days.
The patient car return to her work after 5 days, drive after 7 days and regain full activity after 20 days.
The breast is initially swollen and there is a feeling of numbness in the nipple and areola area. The symptoms subside after 20-30 days.
How long will the result of breast lifting last?
The result of breast lifting lasts for many years. What is of great importance in the maintenance of the result is to avoid a pregnancy and large weight fluctuations.
If after 15-20 years you are not happy with the shape and breast size you can undergo a breast lifting again.