Breast Lift

Over time, you may experience changes in skin elasticity due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, aging, gravity, and genetics. A breast lift, also called a mastopexy, reshapes and lifts the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the tissue.

What is a Breast Lift?

The breast lift aims to rejuvenate and enhance the position of the breasts on the chest. In some cases, the areola can enlarge over time and can also be addressed with a breast lift. This procedure is highly customizable to your needs and goals. A breast lift procedure can be performed in combination with other procedures that change the size of the breasts, including breast augmentation and breast reduction procedures.

Common Reasons for Breast Lifts

While breast augmentation is still one of the most popular plastic surgeries, many women who seek out breast surgery do not want an increase in volume—they simply want to regain the youthful breasts they once had. Here are some of the most common reasons why women experience breast sagging and how a lift can reverse aesthetic issues.  

Pregnancy and Childbirth’s Changes to Breast Position

Pregnancy and childbirth can affect the breasts in numerous ways. Some women experience an increase in volume that remains after their child is born. Others see a loss in volume after birth and breastfeeding, which can lead to deflation, sagging, or drooping tissue. If you’re interested in a breast lift after changes to your weight and breast volume, Dr. Farber and Dr. D’Agostino can recommend the most appropriate surgical strategy to meet your goals. Though many women can successfully breastfeed after having a mastopexy, future pregnancies and breastfeeding should be taken into consideration and discussed during your consultation with Dr. Farber and Dr. D’Agostino.

Excess Breast Skin and Laxity Created by Weight Loss

Sometimes, even ten to twenty pounds of weight loss can create excess skin and laxity in places where you may not expect it. People lose weight differently depending on their genetics and the way fat is distributed in different parts of the body. Some women may lose weight in their breasts before they lose it anywhere else, while others do not see any impact on breast volume or appearance unless they lose a significant amount of weight. If you’ve lost weight and are considering a breast lift, Dr. Farber and Dr. D’Agostino will consult with you about your weight loss history and if you plan to lose any more weight. Patients who have maintained a stable weight and have achieved their health goals are generally good candidates for a breast lift.

Age-Related Breast Droopiness

Time and gravity affect more than your facial skin. As you age, you may notice that changes in skin elasticity cause breasts to sag and appear more elongated than they were before. While breast droopiness is not a medical concern, it can be a significant issue for self-esteem and feelings of body confidence. There is no ideal age for a woman to consider a breast lift under these circumstances, but Dr. Farber and Dr. D’Agostino usually find that aging women can benefit most from this procedure and most often seek a mastopexy.

Mastopexy after Removal of Implants

Breast implant removal is a highly personal choice; some women prefer to go back to their natural look, while others are unsatisfied with the results of their initial procedure. Because the skin and tissues surrounding the breasts must expand to accommodate implants, there are often issues with sagging or drooping after the extra volume is removed. Dr. Farber and Dr. D’Agostino often suggest performing a breast lift at the same time as a breast implant removal surgery to address this issue as conveniently as possible.

Breast Lift with an Internal Bra

The internal bra is part of a surgical procedure in which a supportive material, such as a mesh-like matrix of fibers, is inserted. The material is often attached to the chest wall. This mesh acts as an internal support system in 2 ways:

1. It counteracts the aging and breast sagging process by anchoring the breast tissue and skin in a fixed position.
2. It acts as an invisible bra and provides a constant, hidden lift and support.

Dr. Farber and Dr. D’Agostino offer two types of internal bras at his Boca Raton clinic: the GalaFLEX™ Mesh and an acellular dermis (ACD) called Strattice™. Each procedure offers the incredible ability to lift and aesthetically improve the breasts. Dr. Farber and Dr. D’Agostino will help you decide which option best suits your goals and concerns.

GalaFLEX Internal Bra

GalaFLEX mesh is a revolutionary product approved by the FDA. While the concept of a permanent internal bra has been around for years, the technology available today offers safer and better results than ever before.

The GalaFLEX mesh is composed of P4HB – poly-4-hydroxybutyrate. This polymer naturally dissolves and is broken down over time by the body into carbon dioxide and water– usually within one year – leaving behind a foundational scaffold for other proteins, namely collagen and elastin, to create a natural and enhanced support network. This scaffold tightens the breasts’ musculature, tissue, and skin to create a higher, firmer, and more youthful breast position. The GalaFLEX procedure produces natural and long-lasting results.

Strattice™ Acellular Dermal (ACD) Matrix

The ACD matrix works similarly to the GalaFLEX. But unlike GalaFLEX, it doesn’t break down over time. Additionally, GalaFLEX is synthetic, whereas Strattice is biologic. Dr. Farber and Dr. D’Agostino will insert the matrix, which attaches to the chest wall and is gradually and permanently incorporated into the surrounding breast tissue. As it will become a permanent structure in the breast, the ACD matrix provides longer-lasting support and lift to the breasts.

Advantages of an Internal Bra Breast Lift or Augmentation

Internal bras provide many benefits for the right patient, including:

Slows Aging and Gravity

Genetics plays a significant role in determining how we age. Some of us see our skin lose its laxity faster than others. Getting an internal bra placed into the breasts is an effective way of counteracting gravity and the aging process.

Sustains Results

For most, the benefits of an internal mesh are made apparent in a breast lift procedure. This mesh helps sustain results by preventing the breasts from “bottoming out” after a procedure. Furthermore, getting an internal bra placed in conjunction with breast augmentation offers the best of both worlds: size and lift. The internal bra increases the surgery’s longevity and decreases breast ptosis over time by providing extra support so the skin does not have to hold up the implant on its own.

Prevents Complications

Some women with breast implants also experience rippling in the skin. Others see capsular contracture, or the hardening of the tissue surrounding the implant. Internal bras diminish the chances of these complications arising. Another potential yet uncommon complication is the implants dislodging and moving into the armpit area. The added support provided by an internal bra helps reinforce a tight pocket for the implant to decrease movement.

Breast Lift Candidates

To be considered a good candidate for breast lift surgery, you should be in overall good health, a non-smoker, and have a BMI of 30 or less. Our team also recommends that you be at a stable weight for at least 6 months.

Your aesthetic concerns may include:

• Flattened breasts
• Sagging breast
• The nipples fall below your breast crease
• The nipple and areola face downwards
• The skin on your chest is stretched out
• Your areolas are enlarged
• The breasts are at different heights

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon for Your Breast Lift

When considering a breast lift, it’s important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in breast surgery. For world-class breast lift procedures in Delray Beach, schedule a consultation at 5^th Avenue Plastic Surgery. Dr. Farber and Dr. D’Agostino have performed hundreds of breast surgeries and are experts in creating youthful breasts that help patients feel confident. When you schedule a consultation with Dr. Farber and Dr. D’Agostino, they will go through your medical history and ensure that you can undergo surgery with a low risk of complications. They will also determine the level of skin laxity you are experiencing to recommend a treatment plan that will match your expectations and provide you with the aesthetic results you desire.  

At the time of your initial appointment, it’s important to tell Dr. Farber and Dr. D’Agostino about any medications you are taking and whether you are a smoker. Before surgery, you will be asked to stop smoking and taking certain medications. You should also share any concerns you might have about the surgery with Dr. Farber and Dr. D’Agostino and ask questions about preparing for, undergoing, and recovering from the procedure.

The Breast Lift Procedure

The proper technique for you will depend on your breast size and shape, position and size of the areolas, the amount the breasts sag, skin quality, and elasticity. Breast lifts begin by administering anesthesia. Next, your incision will be made. The breasts are reshaped, and the excess skin will be removed from the breasts. The remaining skin is then tightened to achieve the desired lift. The incisions will be closed with absorbable sutures, and in most cases, a drain will not be necessary.

Breast Lift Recovery

During breast lift recovery, you must wear an elastic bandage or dressings over the surgery area to support the area, minimize swelling, and aid in the healing process. Your doctor will provide you with complete aftercare instructions, including:

• How to care for the breasts
• Medications to take to reduce discomfort and infection
• Concerns that you should be aware of during the healing process
• When to contact the medical office

Schedule a Consultation

Breast lift procedures will leave you with lifted and more youthful-looking breasts. Breast lift procedures are in demand, and our team of board-certified plastic surgeons at 5th Avenue Plastic Surgery can help. Contact our office today by calling or booking an appointment through our online platform.