Breast uplift, or breast lift, surgery is different from the other surgical breast procedures, mainly in the fact that it isn’t actually a procedure associated with directly altering the size of the breasts. Exactly as the name suggests, breast uplift surgery is designed to lift the breasts if they have already started to sag and droop by removing any loose skin before raising and reshaping the breasts to give them a firmer and younger appearance.
As the body ages, this is something that can happen completely naturally but it can also be caused by other things, such as losing large amounts of weight or going through pregnancy and breastfeeding a child. While these things are all completely natural, seeing your breasts begin to sag can be something that has a massive effect on your confidence. Thankfully, breast uplift surgery is a viable option to fight these signs and can give you back your confidence and youth.
How does breast uplift surgery work?
Over time (or by undergoing something that stretches the skin), the skin and ligaments within the breasts will stretch, meaning that the underlying breast tissue isn’t supported as well as it used to be. It’s this that causes the breasts to droop and makes them look longer and flatter than they were before.
Breast uplift surgery can help with this by removing any excess skin from the breasts, lifting and reshaping the internal breast tissues, repositioning the nipples so that they are positioned naturally and reducing the size of the areola (the area around the nipple), giving an altered appearance to the breasts.
There are three major techniques that are used to perform breast uplift surgeries and during the initial consultation, your surgeon will advise on which option is the most appropriate for you. This all depends on the existing size and shape of your breasts, as well as the results that you are looking to achieve. These techniques are;
- Making incisions around the areola – This technique is considered to be most suitable for narrow breasts that don’t require a major amount of lifting
- Making incisions around the areola and vertically to the crease of the breast – This technique is considered to be most suitable when there is a mild to moderate amount of sagging and there is only a slight amount of nipple movement required
- Making incisions around the areola, vertically to the crease of the breast and also along the crease (known as the anchor incision) – This technique is best for larger/wider breasts or those with increased amounts of sagging or nipple movement required
During surgery, if you’re unhappy with the size of your breasts then you can also opt to undergo a reduction or enlargement at the same time, reducing the need for repeat surgeries on the breasts.
What happens after surgery?
After undergoing breast uplift surgery, its generally advised to spend a day in hospital to rest and recover, and once this period is complete then you will need to arrange for somebody to collect you and drive you home. If you do leave hospital on the same day as the surgery then it’s recommended that somebody stays with you for at least the first 24 hours following surgery to ensure that you don’t overstress your body. It’s also highly recommended to avoid lifting any heavy objects or performing any strenuous activity for at least six weeks.
Immediately after surgery, your breasts will look swollen and discoloured for a little while and your incision lines will a be incredibly visible, although these will fade gradually and become less noticeable over time. Your results will continue to improve over the next six months until you start to see your final results showing through.
As everyone heals differently, there’s no absolute guarantee to any timeframes following the surgery, but the table below should be able to provide a basis for the different recovery stages.
| Week 1 | Week 2 | 4-6 Weeks | 6 months+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| For the first week, it’s likely that you’ll experience some discomfort and mild painkillers will be able to help with this, aspirin should be avoided. | Your breasts should be experiencing less discomfort, but they may pull and hurt a bit whilst you are moving (this is completely normal). | At this point you should start to be able to lift and push heavy objects and carry out more strenuous activities. | You should notice any surgical scarring beginning to soften and fade. |
| Try to keep walking around and being mobile as this will help to avoid any post-op complications. | Any stitches that aren’t dissolvable will be removed. | It’s no longer required to wear a sports bra overnight, but it is still advised to wear one during the day. | Your final results should be starting to show through, giving you the chance to take a proper look and make your judgement. |
| Wear a sports bra both night and day, this should be repeated for the first few weeks. | You can gradually begin to increase your level of activity, but you should continue to avoid anything strenuous. | Any post-surgery loss of sensation to the breast or nipple areas should continue to improve and return. | |
| Depending on the industry you work in, you may be able to start planning to return to work. |
Are there any risks and complications?
As with all surgical procedures, breast uplift surgery comes with its own list of specific complications that pose a risk. These will all be discussed during the consultation prior to surgery, the complications include;
- Change in the sensation of your breasts/nipples
- Reduction to breastfeeding ability
- Swollen breasts
- Numbness on the exterior of the breasts
So how much does breast uplift surgery cost?
With Better Body Cosmetic Surgery, our prices for breast uplift surgery start from just £6300. To find out more about the surgery, or to book your completely free, no-obligation consultation, please contact us today on 0800 772 0039, via our live chat system or by filling in a consultation request form, a member of our team will be more than happy to help.