Like all organs of our body, breast tissue also ages. Even if it is not small or large, every woman experiences deformation in the breast tissue over the years due to the effects of pregnancy, breastfeeding or gravity. The most obvious finding is sagging due to excess skin or decrease in breast volume. The purpose of breast lift; it is only to pull up the sagging breast tissue while collecting the existing breast structure and providing a more fit image. This procedure does not cause any increase or decrease in breast volume. Breast lift techniques can also be combined with breast augmentation and reduction surgeries.
Appropriate Patient Profile
Breast lift surgery is a surgery that is generally applied to middle-aged women whose breast tissue is empty or sagging after pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, it can be performed at any age, except for women under the age of 18.
Before Surgery
During an appropriate disease history and physical examination, criteria that will determine the technique of the operation such as the patient’s wishes, breast size, length, skin quality, etc. are evaluated. Your surgeon will tell you which technique is suitable for you among the techniques that can be used for breast lift surgery. Conditions that may pose an obstacle to the operation are inspected by the anesthesiologist, and necessary blood tests are performed. In case of chronic diseases that may affect the surgery, additional examinations or consultations may be requested. If any blood thinners are used, they should be discontinued at least 1 week in advance. Smoking may impair the wound healing process in some patients. There is no need to discontinue drugs used for other chronic diseases.
Surgery Process
Breast lift surgery is performed in a hospital environment and under general anesthesia. The average duration of the operation is 1.5 -2 hours. This period may be extended when breast reduction or augmentation surgeries are applied together. In all surgeries, a vertical (vertical technique) scar will remain around and below the nipple. During the operation, thin tubes called drains can be placed under the breast temporarily to evacuate excess blood.
Postoperative
After the operation, food is eaten at the 4th hour and the patient gets up from the bed and starts walking. They are discharged on the same day or 1 day later. Pain is less compared to other breast surgeries and painkillers to be used provide sufficient help. The patient can be washed after 1-2 days. Some edema and swelling that may occur in the breasts will pass within 2-3 weeks. The patient can return to his daily life within the same week. Athlete style printed bras can be used for the first 2-3 weeks after the surgery. Light exercises can be done easily after the operation.
Possible Problems
Of course, every surgical procedure has its own complications. Although these are rare, they should be explained to the patient by the physician for the purpose of informing the patient. There are alternative solution options for all of the early and late complications that may develop. Temporary problems; loss of sensation, tenderness, pain, early problems; bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, long-term problems; capsule contracture, asymmetry and aesthetic problems.
Breast Lift and Pregnancy
Lifting surgeries performed with the right technique and experience do not affect breast milk and breastfeeding. It should be known that pregnancy and breastfeeding processes after breast lift surgeries can cause some growth and sagging in the breast tissue. Breast lift surgeries should be postponed for expectant mothers who are considering early pregnancy.
Breast Lift and Cancer
Breast lift operations do not trigger the formation of breast cancer. On the contrary, it reduces the risk of cancer as it reduces the breast mass a little bit. All of the breast tissue removed during the lifting operation is sent for pathological examination for screening purposes. In this way, early cancer cases can also be caught.
Breast Lift and Permanence
It is natural for the pregnancy process, breastfeeding and of course the gravitational force that has been exposed over the years to cause some relaxation in the breast tissue.