Ptosis or breast sagging is an aesthetic problem that worries many women. Add insecurity in herself and in her sexuality.
If a woman is worried about this, feels embarrassed in front of her husband or boyfriend, a breast lift is worth trying.
This procedure should not be confused with breast augmentation with implants. The lifting aims to eliminate ptosis, giving the female breast a natural elasticity.
What is this procedure, what is it called?
A breast lift is called a mastopexy.The procedure consists of reshaping the mammary glands, giving them a natural elasticity and an attractive appearance without the use of implants. The operation is performed with minimal surgical intervention under local or general anesthesia.
The degree of ptosis plays an important role in your choice. There are 4 degrees of the disease. Appropriate steps are taken to make an accurate diagnosis. The degree of sagging is determined by the distance from the breast crease to the nipple.
Help!Ptosis is stage 1, 2, 3 and 4 and is measured by the distance from the crease of the breast to the nipple. Sagging of 1-2 cm is considered non-critical and refers to grade 1.
If the nipple is 8 cm or more below the breast crease, grade 4 ptosis is placed. Here surgeons have to cut a large amount of skin and adipose tissue, and without general anesthesia this will be impossible.
Readings
The skin of the chest is sensitive to any changes in the body. There is no natural muscular framework underneath to maintain your shape. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain its original shape throughout life.The reasons that led to the change in its shape are:
- A strong increase or decrease in weight.The stretched skin of the chest after losing weight loses its elasticity and looks flabby.
- Large chest size.Breasts larger than 3 sizes sag with natural weight.
- Changes in hormonal background.A lack or excess of hormones contributes to the swelling or "distention" of the breast.
- Operations. For example, when a malignant tumor is removed, the glands become asymmetric. In severe cases, the mammary gland becomes empty and flabby.
- Age.The chest, which does not have muscular support, loses its elasticity before the rest of the body.
- Improperly fitted bra.If you do not provide adequate support, the mammary glands will collapse prematurely.
- Breastfeeding.Milk-filled mammary glands can be enlarged 3 to 5 times. After completing breastfeeding, it returns to its original size, but not its shape.
- Congenital anomalies.Breasts may not develop properly after puberty. The only way out is to correct the form.
Another problem with sagging breasts is that it is usually accompanied by stretch marks and sagging skin.
Contraindications, restrictions
Mastopexy involves a surgical intervention on the body. Any operation has its own indications and contraindications. This type of operation is not prescribed in several cases:
- pregnancy or planning, as all the results of the operation will fade;
- less than 12 months after the end of hepatitis B, this is how much the mammary glands need to recover from breastfeeding;
- presence of tumors in the chest area;
- acute infectious diseases;
- diabetes mellitus;
- kidney failure;
- cardiovascular dystonia;
- under the age of 18 (parental consent and medical emergencies required);
- obesity, which is a consequence of metabolic disorders and can cause complications after surgery.
Before deciding on a mastopexy, it is important to weigh the positive and possible negative consequences.
Views
Breast lift can be done with or without surgery.In the first case, the tissue excision method is used according to various schemes, the second is the effect on the deep layers of the skin. It should be noted that non-surgical methods are best used to prevent ptosis or in its early stage. Operational interventions help to solve the problem in more advanced cases.
Endoscopic
Small areas of skin are incised in the lateral region of the breast.The endoscope and instruments are inserted through them. The tissue is removed from the inside, so the surgery after the scars have healed will be invisible.
This is one of the most expensive types of mastopexy. The success of this procedure depends on the qualifications and experience of the doctor performing the operation. But the result will remain unchanged for 10-15 years. Endoscopic mastopexy can eliminate ptosis of any severity.
Periareolar (circular)
During this operation, the doctor cuts the excess tissue around the areola.In this way, you can not only tighten the mammary glands, but also change the diameter of the nipple. Traces after surgery and healing become invisible.
Among the downsides is the potential impact on breastfeeding. Also, it is used only with 1 and 2 degrees of flaccidity. After surgery, some patients noticed loss of nipple sensation.
Vertical
Duringsurgery, the surgeon makes incisions above the breast and along the edges to lift the nipple.This method requires minimal intervention in the structure of the mammary glands and causes practically no complications and maintains the natural shape of the breast. It can also help shrink the nipple.
This method is used in the early stages of ptosis. It cannot be used if there are already scars on the chest. Also, it won't help with very saggy breasts.
Anchor (T-shaped)
Indicated for severe ptosis or large breasts that are uncomfortable. During theoperation, an anchor or inverted T incision is made in the chest.Next, the surgeon cuts the excess tissue and the lower part is pulled up.
The operation has a pronounced aesthetic effect, it can be repeated until the patient is satisfied with the result. Disadvantages include applying a large number of cuts. This increases the rehabilitation period and can cause complications.
Laser
This is a relatively new type of breast lift. It is widely used in the West, but in our country there are a small number of clinics with the necessary equipment.The laser can be used to lift and enlarge the breasts.This does not require the use of a scalpel.
Laser lifting is effective in the early stages of ptosis. Approximately 6 treatments are needed to achieve the desired effect. They are performed with an interval of at least 14 days. The procedure does not require the introduction of anesthesia, as it is painless. In some cases, unpleasant sensations can occur.
Mesothreads
If the breast has lost its former elasticity and causes internal discomfort to the woman, doctors recommend a procedure for implantation of mesothreads. It does not leave marks on the skin and does not present complications.
While in the mammary glands, thethreads gradually become covered with adipose tissue and create a supportive effect.The threads continue to function for 6-8 months, after which they are completely absorbed and do not need to be removed.
Non-surgical methods
Women with grade 1 breast sagging are advised to use non-surgical breast lift methods. They help to restore the elasticity of the skin and return the mammary glands to their previous shape:
- Myostimulation: with the help of electrical impulses sent through the connected electrodes, the elasticity of the skin is restored and stretch marks are removed.
- Lipolifting: transplantation of adipose tissue from the abdomen and inner thighs to problem areas of the chest. 100% guaranteed adipose tissue graft.
- Microcurrents with serums: provokes active production of elastin and collagen, accelerates cell renewal, reduces sutures and stretch marks.
- Mesotherapy.
The choice of the type of lift is also influenced by the degree of stretching of the breast skin, its asymmetry and size. The surgeon will assess the general condition and select the safest and most effective option for each individual case.
Preparation for plastic surgery
Before obtaining permission from the surgeon for a breast lift,should consult other specialists: gynecologist, therapist, mammologist and anesthesiologist.You will also have to pass a series of tests:
- general and biochemical blood test;
- blood test for diabetes mellitus;
- general urinalysis;
- tests for hepatitis, HIV, syphilis;
- ECG;
- Breast ultrasound;
- mammogram;
- fluorography.
During the 14 days prior to the operation and during the same period after, you must not smoke, drink alcohol, take drugs that affect the density of the blood, including oral contraceptives. You should also give up strenuous physical activity. Immediately before the operation, no food should be eaten 12 hours before the operation. You can drink tea or water.
How is it done? It is dangerous?
How is the operation performed?Mastopexy is safe.It begins with a mark on the chest. The surgeon marks the incision sites and skin areas to be removed with a marker. The patient then receives anesthesia. It can be of several types:
- intravenous;
- inhalation;
- local.
Stages of mastopexy:
- the surgeon makes incisions along the marks;
- also forms the final result and cuts excess skin and adipose tissue;
- if necessary, the surgeon reduces the circumference of the nipples;
- After that, sutures and an antibacterial dressing are applied, drains are inserted (you can read more about what sutures are and how long they heal after the operation).
Duration of the operation from 1, 5 to 3 hours.
What happens postoperatively?
- The patient regains consciousness almost immediately after the operation.Chest pains begin when we recover from anesthesia. The doctor who performed the operation should advise on analgesics and antibiotics to be taken postoperatively.
- 3 days after the mastopexy, the patient is observed in the hospital.If no complications arise, you are discharged. The clinician should assess the primary outcome, that is, if the stitches are starting to tighten and if there is asymmetry. After a week, the stitches are removed.
- Edema is observed during the first week after the operation.The chest looks like stone. In the first month, the swelling persists, bruises may appear. After 1-3 months, they completely disappear, you can evaluate the result. During this time, the stitches will heal completely, the edema and bruising will disappear.
- Correction underwear should be worn for the first six months, which will help maintain the shape, use ointments that accelerate the regeneration of the skin. This will help speed up the rehabilitation period.
- Also, within 6 months after the operation, you should not visit the bathhouse, sauna,so as not to infect the open sutures. Going to the gym and lifting weights is prohibited, this contributes to the divergence of the seams.
Patients who decide to have a mastopexy should also be aware of potential complications. These include pain in the area of the mammary glands, bruising and bruising, swelling at the incision sites, inflammation of the tissues, and loss of sensation.
Before and after photos
Later in the photo, you will see what a large breast looks like before and after a lift.
Cost of the procedure
The cost of the service depends on the type of operation, the qualifications of the surgeon and staff, the condition of the clinic. The price also includes a training program, purchase of corrective underwear, patches, anesthesia.
Mastopexy is an opportunity for every woman to feel her sexuality and attractiveness again. But, before deciding on a serious step, you should study the information about this operation, compare the positive aspects and the possible risks, and only then make the final decision.
Mammoplasty is a type of surgery to correct the shape and size of the breast. The specialist changes the contour, the volume of the mammary glands, the shape of the nipples and the areolas.