Do You Know If You Need a Breast Lift?

Breast lift surgery is often confused with breast augmentation with breast implants, partly because a breast lift is often performed at the same time as breast augmentation. In fact, a breast lift is a separate procedure that can be performed on its own without the need for the breasts to be augmented or reduced. Sometimes it can be hard to know which type of breast surgery you need. There are ways you can find out if you need a breast lift, and it all starts with looking in the mirror.

Droopy Breasts

Start by taking off your shirt and bra and looking at your breasts full on in front of the mirror. Do they appear droopy to you? That is, do they look loose on your frame? Do they lack a full shape? Do you feel like they’re just hanging there? These are all signs of droopy breasts.

Nipple Points Down

Now turn to the side and check out your nipples. Which way are they pointing? If the answer is forward, then the position of your nipples is alright. If they are pointing downward, however, that is another indicator that your breasts could benefit from a lift.

No Visible Skin Under the Areola

The areola is the darker circle of skin that surrounds your nipple. Ideally, it should be situated in the center of the roundest part of your breast and you should be able to see skin all around it when you look in the mirror. If you can’t see skin underneath the areola, that could also indicate that you could use a breast lift. Sometimes this one can be difficult to see; if this is the case, try turning to the side and placing something flat, like a piece of paper or a thin book, just underneath your breast. If your areola is touching the object, it could use some adjusting.

Asymmetrical Breasts

It isn’t uncommon at all for women to have breasts that are slightly different in size and shape. Are your breasts like that? Asymmetry can be corrected with breast surgery, though the degree of asymmetry is important in determining which type of surgery you need. Slight asymmetry can be better corrected with a breast lift while a more dramatic asymmetry may require a breast reduction or augmentation to even them out.

Overall Fit

Okay, now try putting your bra back on. How does it feel when you’re wearing it? Do you like how your breasts look? Do they make you feel awkward or insecure? If you aren’t wholly comfortable with your breasts, that might be helped with a breast lift. The surgery is designed to reshape and lift your existing breast tissue so your breasts look full and perky. Sometimes a few minor tweaks are all you need to get your breasts exactly the way you want them.

How Breast Lift Surgery is Different From Other Breast Surgeries

The key element that sets breast lift surgery apart from a breast reduction or augmentation is that the surgeon typically works only with the existing tissue. There are no implants, like with a breast augmentation. If any tissue needs to be removed, it usually isn’t enough to drastically alter the shape and size of the breast. The surgery is about giving the breast tissue you already have a boost by lifting it up and improving the shape. This may also involve reshaping and repositioning the areolas so your nipples are better situated and more proportionate to the overall size of your breasts. Patients who elect for breast lift surgery are generally happy with the overall size of their breasts but want them to look and feel a little better by lifting them to a more youthful position.

One of the really great things about breast surgery in general is that the procedure can be combined in whatever way is needed to give you the breasts you want. A breast lift is very often done at the same time as a reduction or augmentation to give the breasts an extra boost and help them sit well on your frame.

In terms of the surgery itself, a breast lift is similar to the other types of breast surgery. Incisions are often made around the areola and extending down towards the bottom of the breast and then horizontally within the crease. Tissue is removed, shaped, and/or repositioned until the desired shape and size are achieved. The incisions can be closed with sutures or tape. Recovery from breast lift surgery is generally very smooth, as long as you take care of yourself and follow your post-surgery instructions.

How Do You Know What Your Breasts Really Need?

Now that you’ve spent some time examining your breasts in front of a mirror, it’s time to let a plastic surgeon do the same thing. They look at all the same things you do, but with a more practiced eye that can determine which type of breast surgery will benefit you the most. You may find that all the above indicators apply to you, but a surgeon may determine that you can get more out of a breast reduction or augmentation.

Setting up a consultation with a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon is an important step in the surgical process. You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Frederick Weniger at Weniger Plastic Surgery by contacting us at (843) 757-0123. Dr. Weniger performs all three breast surgery types and has more than a decade of experience helping women get the breasts they want. You can view before and after pictures here and check out our breast surgery pages on our website. Call us today to set up your patient consultation!