How a Breast Lift After Weight Loss Can Rejuvenate the Bustline
Saggy or droopy breasts are common after a woman has experienced significant weight loss. A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin without reducing the volume of the breast.
Dr. Ken Smart is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Frisco, TX. He also works with patients from Plano and throughout North Texas. Cosmetic surgery procedures, like a breast lift, require a doctor with talent, skill, and experience. Let’s discuss the need for breast lift surgery after losing weight.
Loose Skin After Weight Loss
Gradual weight loss usually doesn’t lead to loose skin since the structures of the skin are given time to adapt to a slimmer frame. Rapid or drastic weight loss will often lead to some loose skin and stretch marks around the body, however. With the breasts, the sudden or dramatic weight loss can exacerbate issues with sagging or drooping.
These are issues often faced by people who have overcome morbid obesity, whether through bariatric surgery or natural weight loss methods.
Timing Your Surgery for Maximum Benefit
In order to ensure the results of surgery last for years to come, it’s important that we wait for the patient to achieve their target body mass. That way, the patient won’t lose or gain a significant amount of weight, which could affect skin laxity and the extent of current sagging. We can discuss this in more detail during a consultation.
Breast Lift Techniques
There are four breast lift techniques that patients can choose from. Which one is best for you depends on your needs, goals, skin quality, the extent of sagging, and whether or not you want implants.
Anchor Lift
This technique corrects considerably droopy breasts. The standard or anchor lift involves three incisions:
- A circular incision around the border of the areola
- A vertical incision down the base of the breast
- A horizontal incision along the breast crease
Patients who also want a breast reduction often undergo this type of breast lift surgery. Although patients will likely have visible scarring, the scars typically fade and will be easily hidden beneath a bra or bikini top.
Vertical Lift
The vertical (or lollipop) lift requires two incisions:
- A circular incision around the edges of the areola
- A vertical incision from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease
This type of breast lift is one of the most common because it is modest while still allowing the surgeon to remove excess skin and reshape the breasts. Like the other techniques, it does leave scars, but they can be easily hidden.
Doughnut Lift
Also called the peri-areolar lift, the donut lift requires a single incision around the edge of the areola. This technique corrects mild sagging and only leaves one small scar. Doctors often use this technique in conjunction with a breast augmentation or to reduce the size of the areola.
Crescent Lift
To correct minimal sagging, a cosmetic surgeon may recommend a crescent lift. This involves a small incision around the top half of the areola.
The Results
Regardless of the method used, the goal of breast lift surgery after weight loss is to reshape your breasts to make them perkier and firmer. This contributes to a more youthful look overall. Patients typically notice an immediate improvement after surgery but must allow their bodies to fully recover before experiencing the final results.
These results can last for decades. To ensure the effects of your breast lift last as long as possible, follow these guidelines:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Moisturize your skin
- Wear a bra for support
Schedule a Breast Lift Consultation
You’ve already done so much work to improve the health and appearance of your body. Dr. Smart can help you complete your aesthetic goals through cosmetic surgery. To get started, call (972) 334-0400 or message us online to schedule an initial consultation.