You can determine the sagging condition of your breasts by looking at the position of your nipples. If your nipples are above the breast crease, everything is fine. If your nipples are at the level of this crease, you have ”slight” breast sagging, and if your nipples are below the level of this crease, you have ”severe” breast sagging.

The reasons for breast lift surgery can be listed as follows:

• The fact that the breast loses its rigidity, fat tissue inside the breast is depleted and breast sags
• The nipple points downward due to sagging
• The fact that one of the breasts gets much softer and sagged compared to the other

Why do breasts sag?

The causes of breast sagging may be listed as follows:

• Sagging may begin at an early age because of weakness of the ligaments holding the breast for hereditary reasons.
• Breasts of pregnant and breastfeeding women tend to sag to a larger extent. Because breast tissue is filled with milk during breastfeeding, it grows with the skin on it and the ligaments inbetween. When breastfeeding ends, the breast tissue, which no longer produces milk, returns to its pre-pregnancy state, but the breast ligaments and skin have lost their former firmness. Breasts sag due to loosening of the skin around the breast tissue, which returns to normal after pregnancy.
• Changes in breast volume caused by excessive weight gain and loss negatively affect the elasticity of the skin and cause sagging.
• Breast tissue decreases for hormonal reasons due to aging, which results in depletion of fat tissue in breasts and sagging.
• Gravity cannot be prevented from affecting body shape. Especially in people who do not use a bra, gravity pulls breasts downward and causes sagging.

How is breast lift performed?

Breast lift surgery is performed using techniques and principles similar to those of breast reduction surgery. It involves only the changes applied to the shape of the breast without reducing the breast tissue.

If necessary, enlarged dark colored area around the nipple (areola) may also be reduced during surgery.

Surgical technique may vary depending on breast type and expected shape. Generally, in the case of 1st degree sagging, if there is no excess skin, it is possible to lift and augment the breast without causing too much scar by only placing a breast implant.

In the case of 2nd and 3rd degree sagging, if there's also advanced volume loss in breast tissue, it may be necessary to remove excess skin, correct and reshape breast tissue and apply a breast implant.

How long does breast lift surgery take?

Breast lift surgery usually takes about 1.5-2.5 hours. Operation time may vary depending on the technique used and the procedure to be performed.

Is breast lift surgery a painful procedure?

In the first few days after breast lift surgery, you may have mild pain, which can be easily resolved with simple painkillers.

Type of Anesthesia

Breast lift surgery is performed by aesthetic and plastic surgeons under operating room conditions under general anesthesia applied by an anesthesiologist.

Before Breast Lift Surgery

Who can have Breast Lift Surgery?

Mostly, people who have breasts that have shrunk or softened after pregnancy or breastfeeding; people who have lost breast tissue and have sagging due to aging; people who suddenly lost excessive amounts of weight prefer this surgery.

Things to consider before surgery

• First of all, you should discuss your expectation from the operation, the operative method and possible problems in detail with your plastic surgeon.
• If you have any condition, any hereditary breast disease or cancer and if you smoke, drink alcohol or take medications, you must tell these to your doctor.
• In addition, if you are under 40 years of age, you'll be asked to undergo a breast ultrasonography and if you are over 40 years of age, you'll also be asked to undergo mammography.
• During breast lift surgery, while breast tissue is being reshaped, it is removed from its location in the form of a block and moved to a different place. For this reason, it is very important that you avoid smoking before and after surgery. Smoking might impair blood circulation and cause tissue death.
• You should stop taking contraceptives, aspirin and vitamin E 10 days before and after surgery as they increase the risk of bleeding.

After Breast Lift

Things to consider after surgery

The post-operative process is usually problem free. In the first days, you may have mild pain when you move or cough, but it will remit with painkillers every day. If you restrict your arm movements, your pain will remit and you will have a positive effect on the healing process.

You'll have a bra-like bandage on your breasts. A thin tube (drain) is placed on the sides of the breasts to remove blood and fluids that may accumulate inside. Drains will be removed by day 4. Resting half-seated for 3 days after surgery will speed up your recovery.

On day 5, your dressing will be opened and dressing will be done. Mostly, absorbable stitches which do not require removal are used. If non-absorbable stitches are used, they'll be removed after day 10. Sections from which stitches have been removed should not be exposed to the sun for 6 months.

You should use a special tightening bra (sports bra) for 8 weeks after surgery.

Recovery Process

• You can start consuming liquid food 3-4 hours after the operation and you can walk around in your room.
• Even if you have mild pain in the first night, it can be easily controlled with simple painkillers.
• In the hospital process, you may have serum, analgesic and antibiotic treatment for support.
• Mostly, the drains are removed and the patient is discharged after a follow up the next day. In some cases, drains can be kept for 1-2 days if necessary.
• When you return home, you should eat plenty of liquid food, use the recommended antibiotics and painkillers and wear your special bra without removing it.
• Avoiding any activities requiring frequent arm movement and any body movements that give you pain will increase your recovery rate.
• You can have a bath 3-4 days after surgery. You can resume normal activities in one week.
• Bruising that may occur in the early period will resolve spontaneously after one week and swelling after 2-3 weeks.
• It'll take about 3 months for operation-induced swellings to completely resolve and breasts to acquire their final look.

Price of Breast Lift Surgery

The price of breast lift surgery will be decided on based on the state pf breasts and the methods to be applied to achieve the target set.

What are the risks associated with breast lift surgery?

As with any surgery, rare risk factors may occur after breast lift surgery. To avoid these surgical risks, your surgeon will take all necessary precautions.

However, despite such precautions, in rare cases, complications, including bleeding, infection, fat necrosis, delayed wound healing, loss of sensation in nipple, allergic reaction, prominent operation scar, and problems associated with general and local anesthesia may develop.

Factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart diseases are among the factors that increase the risk of complications related to surgery.