Why Choose a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon and be confident you are in the care of a highly trained surgeon you can trust.
A mastopexy, more commonly known as breast lift, is a highly sought-after procedure for those wanting to achieve a more youthful and aesthetically pleasing shape. Breast lifts often help women regain confidence in their figures by restoring their feminine proportions and helping them feel more comfortable in their bodies and clothes.
Just as the name suggests, a breast lift procedure "lifts" the breasts by removing excess skin then reshapes the surrounding tissue to support a more youthful breast contour. When considering the procedure, many individuals wonder if there is anything they can do to maximize the life expectancy of their breast lift.
The short answer is "it depends." For some, they experience long-lasting results, while others may want minor revisions only after a few years. To say how long results last from a typical breast lift surgery is dependent upon many factors such as age, genetics, health and dietary habits, as well as surgical techniques. The good news is there are a few things you can do to help you get the most out of your breast lift surgery.
Skin elasticity has a lot to do with your genetics. That being said, you help improve skin elasticity. First and foremost, you should avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Overexposure can cause the skin's texture to change and lose elasticity causing wrinkles and sagging skin. Natural supplements like vitamin C and E have been shown to help promote and improve skin elasticity.
Rapid weight gain and loss is never a good thing for any cosmetic surgical procedure and can have negative effects on breast lift results. Weight should be carefully controlled and maintained in order to achieve the best and longest lasting results. Seek a breast lift only after you have reached and sustained your target weight, then sustain that weight by continuing to follow a healthy lifestyle.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding also affect the results of a breast lift. The breast tissue goes through many changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so I encourage individuals to seek these types of surgeries only after they have finished having children, stopped breastfeeding and have achieved their weight goals.
Whether or not you are a fan of the bra, the fact of the matter is they will help extend the life of your breast lift procedure. Wearing ill-fitting bras or foregoing them all together can cause your breasts to sag faster than usual. This is especially true when you engage in physical activity as the increased impact and movement will increase the effects of gravity on your breast tissue. Do your breasts a favor and invest in the right bra to support and preserve your breast lifts results.
Your plastic surgeon will provide you with detailed guidelines that should be followed to help maintain the integrity of your procedure. Researching, discussing, and deciding on a surgical technique that you and your surgeon agree is best for your goals is going to be critical to your breast lift success. Talking to your surgeon about the expectations and outcomes they have seen in their own practice can help you decide on your personal breast lift plan. Every person is different as are their results but following the tips above can assist in extending the longevity and integrity of your breast lift preserving your rejuvenated look.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.