Breast Lift and Revision Surgery: How to Prepare, Which Surgical Method is Best?

Want to revise your breasts for a beautiful shape? Lift sagging breasts to a more youthful contour? Here’s what you should know before undergoing a breast lift or revision surgery, including how to prepare before and after the procedure.

Breasts are not only vital organs but also contribute significantly to a woman’s confidence and willingness to express herself through clothing. However, breast-related issues can be a source of concern for many, whether it’s small, unlifted breasts or large breasts lacking a desirable shape. Surgery to correct sagging breasts, increase size for a beautiful contour, or lift and reshape the breasts has become a popular solution today. Before undergoing breast surgery, let’s explore the different types of breast lift augmentation surgery, which type might be right for you, and where to find a good place for breast lift and revision surgery.

Why Get Breast Surgery?

Before undergoing breast surgery, it’s important to ask yourself why you want the procedure. Are you concerned about your shape, or are you looking to revise a previous breast surgery for a specific reason? Most individuals who choose breast surgery have specific concerns they want to address. Firstly, there’s the issue of size, whether breasts are too small or too large, leading to a lack of confidence or difficulty in finding clothes that fit well. Many seek surgery to achieve a beautiful and proportionate size and shape.

Another common reason is to correct sagging breasts, whether due to breastfeeding, natural aging, or a previous surgery that needs revision. It’s crucial to clearly understand your own needs and concerns to effectively communicate, consult, and plan with your surgeon. This will help ensure that the breast surgery meets your expectations and appropriately addresses your specific issues.

Breast augmentation performed before having children may lead to a faster recovery, firmer breasts, and higher elasticity. It takes some time for the breasts to settle into their final shape. Breast augmentation after childbirth may have a slightly longer recovery period, but because the breasts have previously expanded, they tend to be more flexible and settle into shape more quickly. Therefore, if you’ve assessed yourself and desire a breast lift to correct sagging or increase size for a better shape, considering your age or life stage is an important factor in the decision-making process.

Interested in a procedure? Inquire or schedule a free consultation with our doctor.

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What are the Levels of Breast Sagging?

Before delving into breast augmentation techniques, it’s helpful to understand the degree of breast sagging you have. This initial assessment can help determine the most suitable breast lift technique for your needs.

Normal Sagging: This is natural sagging where the nipples are positioned at or slightly above the midpoint of the breast. This level of sagging typically doesn’t require correction for lifting, but if you desire to increase or decrease size, you can consult with a doctor about surgical options.
Mild Sagging: Breasts have slightly descended, with the areolas positioned below the midpoint and the nipples pointing slightly downwards. This level of sagging may not require correction, but you can consult with a doctor about a lift if desired.
Moderate Sagging: The areolas have significantly lowered, and the nipples clearly point downwards. This level indicates a noticeable sagging issue, and most individuals seeking breast lift surgery fall into this category.
Severe Sagging: In this level of sagging, the breasts have dropped significantly, often reaching near the navel. They lack firmness, and the areolas and nipples point downwards. This is the most challenging level of sagging to correct with surgery, and it’s recommended to consult with a specialized surgeon to find the most appropriate approach.

What are the Types of Breast Augmentation? Which Type is Right for You?

Breast lift technology has advanced significantly, with modern tools, techniques, and increasingly knowledgeable and specialized medical professionals. Currently, breast augmentation is broadly divided into two main types:

Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer

Fat Transfer Augmentation involves using your own body fat taken from areas like the thighs, waist, hips, or abdomen. This fat is purified using specialized techniques and then injected back into the breasts to lift and augment them. This method is gaining popularity because it doesn’t involve inserting foreign materials into the body, resulting in a more natural feel and appearance. However, there are limitations, such as the need for liposuction surgery, assessing the appropriate amount of fat, requiring specialized equipment, and often needing a larger volume of fat compared to other cosmetic procedures.

Breast augmentation with liposuction is a minor surgical procedure, so proper preparation is necessary. The advantages include a shorter recovery time, faster healing, a more natural feel compared to silicone, no scars on the breasts, a reduced risk of capsular contracture (scar tissue around implants), and the added benefit of contouring other areas of the body where fat is removed.

However, since fat is a natural substance in the body, there’s a higher chance of fat reabsorption after transfer. Therefore, fat injection may not be suitable for those wanting a significant increase in breast size. It’s more appropriate for a modest increase or to enhance firmness for a better shape. If a larger increase is desired using this method, consult with a doctor to explore suitable approaches, which may include combining it with silicone implants. The cost of a breast lift using fat transfer typically starts around 1,600 USD.

Breast Augmentation with Silicone Implants

Silicone breast augmentation involves surgically inserting silicone implants to lift and augment the breasts. These implants typically have a round shape, a soft and elastic texture, and good resilience. They are composed of silicone gel encased in a silicone shell.

Silicone implants are suitable for individuals who want to increase breast size significantly and achieve a lifted, shapely look. A potential concern with silicone implants is capsular contracture. Therefore, regular breast massage after surgery is important to help prevent this. The cost of a breast lift with silicone implants starts around 2,500 USD, depending on the brand and type of silicone chosen.

Understanding the Types of Silicone Breast Implants

The most commonly used silicone breast implants today are gel-filled with an outer silicone shell. The outer shell comes in two main types:

Textured Silicone Implants: The surface of this type of implant has a slightly rough, matte finish, similar to sandpaper. This texture is designed to reduce implant movement after surgery and help minimize the risk of capsular contracture.
Smooth Silicone Implants: The surface of this type of implant is smooth, soft, and clear. It is often preferred for those wanting larger breast augmentations because they are easier to insert and require less surgical time, resulting in less post-operative swelling. A key recommendation for smooth implants is to diligently perform breast massage as instructed by the doctor to reduce discomfort, minimize capsular contracture, and prolong the lifespan of the implants.

In the past, silicone breast implants had a lifespan of about 10 years. However, with advancements in technology, the lifespan of silicone implants has increased, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Nevertheless, individuals undergoing breast augmentation should prepare themselves before surgery by researching where to get the procedure, which type of silicone to choose, how to care for themselves before and after the surgery, and strictly following the doctor’s recommendations.

Breast Augmentation Surgery Procedure

Breast Augmentation Surgery with Silicone Implants

Breast augmentation surgery involving silicone implants allows for incision placement in three possible locations: under the breast, in the armpit, and around the areola. Incisions under the breast typically result in less blood loss and faster recovery compared to armpit or areola incisions. The placement of the silicone implants is determined by the doctor based on the characteristics, thickness, and degree of sagging of the breasts. The implant placement may vary among individuals. Once the incision location and implant placement are determined, the doctor will create a suitable surgical plan for the patient.

On the day of surgery, the patient will be given general anesthesia. The surgery will then be performed according to the planned procedure, typically taking around 2 hours. Once the silicone implants are successfully placed, the doctor will close the incisions with sutures.

Interested in a procedure? Inquire or schedule a free consultation with our doctor.

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Breast Augmentation Surgery with Fat Transfer

Breast augmentation with fat transfer is divided into two phases. The first phase involves liposuction to harvest fat from the desired areas of the body. Popular areas include the abdomen, hips, thighs, and waist due to their higher fat content. Once the desired area is selected, the doctor will administer local anesthesia to minimize discomfort. The doctor will then make small incisions to insert the liposuction cannula and extract fat, typically harvesting about 40% more fat than the desired breast volume to account for potential fat reabsorption after surgery, ensuring the desired breast size is achieved. Once the required amount of fat is harvested, the doctor will close the incisions with dissolvable sutures and prepare the fat for injection.

Next, the doctor will begin the breast augmentation phase by injecting the fat in a dispersed manner, rather than concentrating it in one spot, to reduce the risk of fat clumping and forming oil cysts after injection. Once the fat transfer is complete, the doctor will close the incisions to promote healing and prevent infection.

What are the Different Breast Lift Techniques? How Do They Differ?

In addition to breast augmentation with fat transfer and silicone implants, it’s important to understand the different breast lift techniques available and which one might be most suitable for your body. The choice of the appropriate breast lift technique will be determined by the doctor to ensure the breast surgery complements each patient’s individual body structure. There are four main breast lift techniques:

Anchor Breast Lift (Inverted-T or Wise Pattern): In this technique, the surgeon makes an incision around the areola, vertically down to the breast crease, and then horizontally along the breast crease, resembling an anchor or an inverted “T”. This technique can be combined with silicone implant placement. After the incisions are made, the surgeon removes excess skin and repositions the nipple to the center. This technique effectively lifts and reshapes the breasts. The advantage is that it provides significant correction and is suitable for severe breast sagging. However, it results in more visible and longer scars.
Lollipop Breast Lift (Vertical Lift): In this technique, the surgeon makes an incision around the areola and then vertically downwards towards the breast crease, resembling a lollipop. Excess skin is removed, and the nipple is repositioned to a higher, more appropriate level. The advantage of this technique is that it creates a more conical breast shape as the outer and inner skin is brought towards the center. The upper part of the breast and the nipple will not be flat, resulting in a beautiful breast contour. It is suitable for moderate to severe breast sagging.
Donut Breast Lift (Circumareolar Lift): In this technique, the surgeon makes an incision only around the areola to remove excess skin and tighten the skin towards the nipple, resulting in a breast lift. The advantage is that the scars are small and less noticeable, resulting in a more natural and aesthetically pleasing outcome. It is suitable for mild to moderate breast sagging.
Crescent Breast Lift: In this technique, the surgeon makes a crescent-shaped incision above the areola to lift and reposition the nipple upwards. It is suitable for individuals with minimal breast sagging.

Post-Operative Care After Breast Lift and Revision Surgery

After undergoing breast surgery, post-operative care is crucial. Important steps to follow include:

Strictly adhere to the doctor’s instructions. If medication is prescribed, take it as directed, and if topical medication is provided, apply it regularly as instructed.
Wear a supportive bra to help minimize movement and reduce post-operative swelling.
During the recovery period, wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing to avoid pressure on the incisions.
Approximately 5-7 days after surgery, begin massaging your breasts according to the doctor’s instructions to help prevent capsular contracture around silicone implants.
During the recovery period, minimize movement in the chest and shoulder area.
Focus on eating a diet rich in protein to help repair and speed up the body’s recovery.
Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
If you experience any unusual symptoms or post-operative issues, such as implant leakage or an open wound, seek immediate medical attention for prompt treatment and correction.

Correcting sagging breasts is an option for women who want to regain confidence in their body image, whether the issue stems from pregnancy, weight loss, or hormonal changes. Surgery can lift and firm the breasts, reshaping them according to individual desires. The surgical process is planned by the doctor to suit each individual’s needs. Some cases may involve not only implant placement or fat transfer but also the removal of excess skin, nipple repositioning, or other related procedures. Therefore, before undergoing breast surgery, it’s essential to research the steps, methods, and types of surgery that are most suitable for you, as well as how to prepare before and after the procedure. Importantly, have a detailed discussion and consultation with your doctor, clearly explaining your concerns and desired outcomes, to allow the doctor to assess and plan the breast surgery appropriately, leading to the most satisfactory and safe results.

Reference: Breast Lift with Augmentation