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What is breast "ptosis"?
Ptosis is a term that means droopiness of the breast.
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In most cases of moderate to severe breast ptosis a breast lift (or mastopexy) is the preferred treatment.
Women who have sagging or drooping breast tissue are the best candidates for this procedure. Many women are interested in a breast lift due to pregnancy and nursing which has left stretched out skin and less volume in their breasts. Also, women who have lost weight can end up with sagging or droopy breast tissue. Most surgeons prefer that their patients are done with having children before having a breast lift to ensure the longest lasting results. There are no special risks that affect future pregnancies, such as preventing breast feeding, however; a pregnancy can stretch your breast tissue and diminish the results of the breast lift procedure.
In some patients who exhibit mild cases of breast ptosis - augmentation with an implant can be possibly enough adequate treatment to improve the shape and position of the breasts. However, getting a simple breast augmentation with no other procedure seems to yield nothing more than an enlarged version of what the patient had to start with. In most cases, a breast lift would give a much better result.
Breast lift scars are can be extensive and permanent - depending on the type of mastopexy that is suggested. Scars for the most part can be lumpy and red in the first few months following a breast lift. But these scars usually become less obvious as they fade to thin light-colored lines. In some cases, a patient might end up with a hypertrophic scar or a keloid scar from this surgery, but there are many scar treatments that are available to help. Read more about the difference of hypertrophic and keloid scarring
All breast lift procedures will end up with a scar around the areola/nipple complex. The following breast lift techniques are used:
A breast lift does remove excess skin, making the breasts tighter and bringing the nipples back into an aesthetic position on the breasts. By repositioning the existing tissue, some fullness in the upper part of the breasts may be restored, but this is not always the case. In those that desire increased volume or extensive upper breast fullness, a breast implant is needed in addition to a mastopexy.
A breast augmentation can be done at the same time as a breast lift, however; this is an "as needed" basis with each individual patient. There are surgeons who prefer to do the breast lift first and then a few months later, perform the augmentation. This is done to ensure the longest lasting results with the mastopexy.
More than likely, if you are a patient over the age of 35 years, it is best to get a baseline mammogram before the breast lift. Your own plastic surgeon will advise you on his protocol regarding this testing procedure.
More Breast Lift Links:
Other Breast Health Links:
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