Breast lift – why is it even an issue?

In many women, the breast tissue sags over time and loses elasticity, resilience and volume. This often affects women after breastfeeding their children, but severe weight loss, implant removal, the natural aging process and hormonal changes can also play a role in sagging or sagging breasts. Sport or regular gymnastics cannot prevent breast sagging, but we can correct it with a breast lift (mastopexy). The aim is always to adjust the shape of the breast as much as possible to the expectations of our patients by tightening the tissue. We will inform you about details and individual options during a detailed and non-binding consultation in our clinic in Berlin near the Kudamm.

Information on breast lift at a glance

Breast lift is the supreme discipline of breast surgery

The breast lift is one of the most demanding procedures in breast surgery, which is why many “cosmetic surgeons” shy away from it. Miss Dr. Bodo has a great deal of experience in this area and is one of the few specialists who perform a breast lift with an implant in one step.

Depending on the initial situation and individual wishes, a breast lift can be performed with a breast reduction combine. In some cases, however, it may also be advisable to use an implant to enlarge the breast or restore the original breast volume. A breast lift without surgery, on the other hand, is not possible.

Breast lift: before and after

Breast lift with implant or without?

In the case of a breast lift, the surgical methods vary from case to case. As a rule, patients opt for a breast lift without implants. We only remove the top layer of skin, the so-called epithelium. We then reshape the glandular tissue and reattach it a little further up, on the muscle fascia of the large chest muscle. Now we form an “inner bra” that we use to anchor the glandular tissue to the pectoral muscle.

Every breast lift has its specific challenges. Depending on your ideas and physical requirements, the incision also changes. The standard is one or two cuts: The first cut runs around the areola, at its lower edge to the inframammary fold. For very large breasts, we make another incision along the natural breast crease. Less drooping breasts do not require this cut. Here the incision extends around the areola (the so-called Lejour technique). We then remove excess tissue, shape the remaining mammary gland, move it up and sew it up to the pectoral muscle. The aim is always to proceed as scar-saving as possible when choosing the surgical technique.

In special cases, the glandular body can also be fixed by tightening your skin. At the same time, we move the nipple, including the nerves and blood vessels, into the new position and sew up the wound intracutaneously (running in the skin) with the finest threads. After the procedure, we apply a tight-fitting bandage with drainage inserts that ensure the unhindered drainage of blood and tissue fluid. The procedure typically lasts between one and two hours and is performed under general anesthesia. In principle, breast lifts and breast augmentation combine by additionally inserting a breast implant.

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Measures after breast lift surgery

Normally, the operation causes only slight pain in the days that follow. In some cases, this can be accompanied by severe swelling and bruising. As a rule, however, these after-effects quickly decrease over the course of the following days and weeks. In addition, your nipples may become less sensitive to touch. In our experience, "normal" sensation may not return for a few months after surgery. A final result can only be assessed around six months after the operation. If tissue areas have hardened, it can take up to two years before an improvement occurs. The situation is similar with breast lift scars, which will disappear over time until they become inconspicuous.

Careful follow-up treatment for a breast lift

If you take it easy, it usually takes less than a week before you feel completely recovered. Most of our patients go back to work after a short time. For the first two weeks after the breast lift, you should definitely sleep on your back to protect your breasts. You can shower or bathe in the usual way after a few days, if your stitches and bandages allow it. Then nothing stands in the way of your usual skin care. The threads in your stitches will either resolve themselves or remain in place for up to five weeks. This supports a fine, barely visible scar formation.

Please note: Once the bandages and threads have been removed and you have largely recovered from the procedure, it is important to wear a brassiere again. The bra should fit perfectly, support your breasts but not constrict them. Wear it 6/3 for at least XNUMX weeks, better even XNUMX months. This prevents excessive scarring because you use the bra to exert even pressure on your chest area. When you are discharged from the clinic, we will tell you what else is important to you, what further measures are necessary for individual aftercare and how many check-ups you should arrange.

Frequently asked questions about breast lifts

A breast lift is one of the most complex and therefore also one of the most expensive operations in plastic and aesthetic surgery. How much a breast lift costs depends on the individual patient and whether a lift with or without an implant is desired. The costs of a breast lift usually start at around EUR 8.900,00 and are not covered by health insurance. However, we offer you favorable financing options and payment in installments for the breast lift via our partner medipay - please contact us.

The risks of a breast lift are minimal when performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. Complications such as infection, severe swelling and bruising are also extremely rare. Pain usually goes away after a few days. In order to minimize the risks of a breast lift, please let us know in advance if you are allergic to medication or care products or if you have any previous illnesses.

A breast lift with autologous fat is usually carried out in two steps. In the first operation, the breast is tightened, in the second operation, the breast is again filled with autologous fat. It's a good solution to just add a little volume without the need for an implant. If a breast lift is desired in connection with breast augmentation, an implant is more likely to be used. This variant can be carried out at an OP date.

If you are planning a pregnancy or a significant weight loss, you should be aware that in both cases the shape of the breast changes significantly and the result of the operation can be adversely affected. If it can be influenced, a breast lift before pregnancy is not recommended, but afterwards.

As a rule, it is not possible for statutory or private health insurance to cover the costs. Exceptions could be breast lifts after breast cancer surgery or severe congenital breast malformations be. Your health insurance company will provide you with more detailed information.

A breast lift can be done in our practice fully or partially funded, through our partner Medipay. The possible financing period is up to 6 years.

Normally, the breasts become smaller by up to one cup size in the course of a breast lift. No glandular tissue is removed during a breast lift, but usually only skin and in some cases fatty tissue. If the breast volume is to be retained, an implant can also be inserted if desired or a little filled with autologous fat.

As a rule, you can go back to work as normal about two to three weeks after a breast lift.

After a breast lift, patients can usually shower again after 5 – 7 days if the wound has healed normally. However, patches must not be removed. We accompany our patients very conscientiously after the operation, so that such questions can always be discussed individually.

Most patients stay in the clinic for one night after the breast lift. In principle, the procedure could also be carried out on an outpatient basis, but it is not recommended because there is always a risk of secondary bleeding.

There are 3 variants of breast lifts, which are referred to as "Lege artis" - i.e. according to the state of the art.

The circular (periareolar) lift, in which a ring-shaped strip of skin around the nipple is removed. This technique creates a scar around the nipple. I use this way for small lifts where little skin is removed.

With the Lejour technique (vertical tightening), part of the excess skin below the nipples is also removed. In addition to the circular scar on the nipple, there is also a vertical scar. This technique is used for extensive tightening with a lot of excess skin.

The T-cut is done in a similar way. In addition, a horizontal incision is made in the underbreast crease, resulting in a scar in the shape of an inverted "T". This technique is suitable for tightening/reduction with medium and large excess skin.

How long a tightening lasts depends on many factors. However, I have found that after 10 - 15 years a small correction may be necessary again. Especially if the lift was combined with a breast augmentation.

After a breast lift, you need to give your body some rest. In the first 6 weeks after the operation, you should wear the support bra day and night if possible - during this time the question of sport usually does not arise. Always consult your doctor, because ultimately he knows best when you can become active again.

last updated on 05.11.2023