Cosmetic Limitations of a Breast Lift

from plastic surgery

If you have decided that a breast lift is right for you, it is important to keep in mind the cosmetic limitations of the procedure. To avoid post surgery discontent, find out what are the limitations of the surgery before going for it.

Scars

A breast lift is designed to keep all scars at or below the nipple level. They will not be visible in clothing and most swimwear. Immediately following surgery, the scars may be red, firm, and raised. The scars mature, fade, and soften over the course of months or years. As with any scar, breast lift scars may fade and become nearly invisible, or they may become wide and raised. Final scar appearance cannot be predicted prior to any surgery.

Scars are permanent. Not all women consider the scars to be acceptable, even when well healed and barely visible. Many women with mild droop who initially seek breast lift surgery reconsider after learning about the scars. Women who are more willing to accept the exchange of droop for scars tend to be those who have moderate or advanced droop.

Breast Shape

Whereas a breast lift alone will definitely raise the nipple and tighten the skin, it may not restore shape to the upper half of the breast, which might still appear hollow following a lift alone. If this is your concern and if you want your breasts larger, then you should consider augmentation along with your lift.

Breast Height

Whereas a breast lift will raise the nipple, it does not raise the inframammary crease, which is the crease below the breast. Women who have low creases will continue to have this issue after a breast lift. Because the position of the crease dictates how high the nipple can be repositioned, these women might never achieve results they feel are acceptable. Women who have had substantial weight gain and loss are more likely to fall into this category.

Large Breasts

Because recurrent droop following a breast lift is closely tied to size, women who have large breasts have a greater likelihood and degree of recurrent droop than those with small breasts. In the worst-case scenario, a woman with very large breasts who undergoes a lift might find herself three months later with breasts just as low as before surgery—but also with scars. These women might be best suited to a breast reduction, in which the breasts are both raised and reduced in size.