Breast Lifts
Sagging of a woman’s breasts can occur following pregnancy or any dramatic weight gain/loss. True sagging refers to nipple position falling below the crease beneath your breast. The “pencil test” is the way to find out if surgery might be indicated. By placing a pencil beneath your breast where it attaches to you chest and your nipple hangs below the pencil when you sit or stand, then you may need a breast lift. I do not recommend breast lift surgery if nipples are above the crease or at the level of the crease. Breast enlargement is usually sufficient to correct a simple saggy breast shape in most cases. Breast lift surgery repositions the nipple and areola (pigmented skin around the nipple) upwards to a more natural position. This natural position is about one half to three quarters of an inch above the crease. Positioning them higher than this can result in an odd breast appearance. The size of the areola can also be reduced if desired.
Breast enlargement or breast reduction may be considered at the same time as breast lift surgery. Changing the breast size is accomplished through the same incisions made for the breast lift. As with all breast surgery, size is a personal choice. Some surgeons believe that combining breast enlargement with breast lift surgery enhances the final breast shape. This is an option for patients to consider.
Scars from a breast lift are the same as breast reduction surgery and are positioned around the nipple and beneath the breast as well. They are usually easily covered by most swimming suits. Many women can still breast feed following breast lift surgery, if they choose to do so.
