Many women are unsatisfied with the appearance of their breasts. Whether it is due to pregnancy, age, genetics or weight change, there are multiple reasons why women get saggy breasts. Breast lift surgery is a popular option for women in Singapore looking to improve the appearance of their breasts. Let’s take a closer look and find out more about breast lift surgery and why you should consider it.
What is breast lift surgery?
Breast lift surgery, also known as mastopexy is a procedure done on the breasts to improve their appearance. Moreover, the procedure involves removing excess skin and reshaping the breasts before sewing the skin back together.
A breast lift may be a good option if you have saggy breasts if your nipples are falling below the breast creases, if your nipples are pointing downwards, or if one of your breasts is disproportionate in size to the other. However, as Beautyblog.sg clarifies, breast lift surgery will not change the size of the breast.
Why you may need a breast lift
Over time the appearance of your breasts will change. There are many causes such as:
Pregnancy– ligaments supporting the breasts stretch as they become fuller due to milk production. Consequently, after lactation, less milk is produced which causes the breasts to sag.
Weight gain-gaining weight may cause the skin around the breasts to stretch causing them to sag.
Gravity– gravity causes the breasts to stretch over time and sag.
Risks involved in breast lift surgery
Breast lift surgery just like any type of surgery has its risks. Some of these include:
Visible scarring- the procedure results in permanent scarring. However, bathing suits or bras can hide the scars. Furthermore, the appearance of scars tends to fade slightly after one or two years.
Breastfeeding gets difficult – it is not advisable to have a breast lift if planning to get pregnant. Consequently, some women will find it difficult to produce breast milk.
Loss of sensation in the nipple area- the surgery may result in permanent loss of sensation around the nipple area. However, this is not always the case and, in most cases, the sensitivity usually resumes after a few weeks.
Loss of the nipple or areolae- if the surgery interferes with the blood supply to the nipple, the resulting damage to the breast tissue may cause partial or total loss of the nipple and areolae.
Asymmetry in the breast shape and size- sometimes, the surgery may fail to correct asymmetry in the breasts and could even make it worse. Moreover, the breasts may heal differently resulting in differences in shape and size.
Other risks involved include infection and bleeding. Some women may also be allergic to surgical tape or anesthesia.
Preparing for breast lift surgery
Before having breast lift surgery, it is important to schedule a consultation with your doctor.
The surgeon will ask about your historical and current medical background and whether there is any risk of breast cancer. Furthermore, the doctor will also ask for any mammograms and biopsies that you have had in the past.
Secondly, the doctor will take you through a series of physical examinations. He or she will examine the position of your nipples and the overall shape of the breasts. He or she will also ask about your goals and what you are hoping to accomplish on the appearance, size, and shape of your breasts.
Before the surgery, the patient receives general anesthesia. However, the surgeon may decide to administer local anesthesia which numbs only the part which he or she is operating on. In this case, you will be fully awake.
What to expect after the procedure?
Once the procedure is complete, the doctor supports the breasts with a surgical bra or covers them with gauze. Ensure that you wear the surgical bra for at least 4 days consecutively. Furthermore, the surgeon may also place small tubes through the incision to drain any fluid.
The doctor will remove the drainage tubes and change the bandage after a few days. He will also remove any stitches that are not absorbed by the body in a few weeks.
For the next two weeks, you can expect your breasts to be swollen and bruised. Moreover, there will be some degree of pain. You will also experience numbness around the breast, nipple and areola area. In addition, the breasts may remain pink and sore for the next few months.
Your doctor will prescribe pain medication for the next several days. It is important that after breast surgery, you avoid strenuous tasks including lifting or bending. Moreover, avoid sleeping on your chest and putting pressure on the breasts. Instead, only sleep on your back or sides.
While the first few weeks might be difficult, your doctor will inform you of the best time to resume normal activities.
Based on your doctor’s recommendations, you may need to use silicone gel on the wound to promote the healing process. Ensure your breasts are out of the sun to keep the incisions well protected from the sun’s rays.
Final thoughts
Age, weight change and genetics can contribute to saggy breasts. This can cause a woman to lose her confidence. Breast lift surgery helps to firm the breast by taking out extra skin around the breast region resulting in fuller looking breasts.
