Breast Lift Aftermath

Breast Lift Aftermath

Many women choose to get a breast lift as they get older to reduce the sagging that naturally occurs with age. If you’ve noticed that your breasts aren’t quite as perky as they once were, you might consider a breast lift. The concern about scarring with the procedure might make you hesitate. Here is some information on scarring after a breast lift, what you can expect, what you can prevent, and why you shouldn’t worry about scarring when deciding whether a breast lift is a good idea.

Reasons to Get a Breast Lift

The main reason women get a breast lift is to make them look perkier, more like when they were young. A breast lift reduces sagging and drooping over time, especially if the breasts are large. Women may also decide to have a breast lift if they choose to reduce their breast size with breast reduction surgery.

Many women pair a breast lift with breast augmentation, especially if they are trying to regain their shape after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Breasts can lose volume over time, and an augmentation can restore the look they once had when they were younger. When you schedule a consultation with a reputable plastic surgeon, they will help you decide if you need a breast lift. They can also answer your questions about whether a breast lift leaves scars.

Reasons Why You Wouldn’t Want a Breast Lift

A breast lift won’t fix every issue you might have with your breasts. You won’t want a breast lift if you’re looking to increase the size or change the shape of your breasts. A lift only changes the position of the breasts, so they sit higher on your chest. To change the shape or size, you’ll need an augmentation.
If you have medical conditions that prevent you from being a good candidate for surgery, you wouldn’t want a breast lift. The surgeon will review your medical records to learn more about your health and determine if you’re a candidate for a breast lift. They will also help you to have reasonable expectations for what a breast lift can do.

How Scarring Occurs with a Breast Lift

How much scarring you have with a breast lift depends on the technique used in the surgery. Your surgeon will discuss your options based on your goals for the procedure. Some of the methods used include the following:

• Crescent lift: This procedure uses a small incision near the top of the areola. Women who have breast augmentation or only need minimal lifting are the best candidates for this technique.
• Anchor lift: This lift helps those patients with noticeable sagging and has the most scars.
• Donut lift: This procedure also has one incision, which is longer than the crescent lift and goes around the areola.
• Lollipop lift: This is one of the most common techniques used in a breast lift, with two incisions for each breast. The incisions are made on the bottom of the areola, leading to the crease below the breast and around the areola.
• Horizontal Mastopexy: This technique uses horizontal incisions to reduce the appearance of noticeable scarring in clothing.

All scars will start red and raised, fading to pink and flattening out in time before turning white. How long it takes the scars to fade will depend on how well you care for the incisions after the surgery.

How to Prevent Scarring

It’s impossible to prevent scars with a breast lift. Because the surgeon is making incisions around your breasts, you can expect some level of scarring. However, certain things will worsen the scars, which you want to avoid. For instance, don’t scratch or otherwise irritate the incision while healing. Don’t lift heavy objects until you’re released by the doctor, which will help prevent pulling on the skin. Avoid the sun and tanning, which can make the scar more noticeable. Stop smoking before the surgery, which will help your body heal faster.

One of the best ways to reduce scarring from a breast lift is to choose the right plastic surgeon. They will consider your goals and current level of sagging when deciding on the best technique. An experienced plastic surgeon can minimize scarring, especially in areas where your breasts are seen in revealing clothing and swimwear.

How to Treat Scars

Your surgeon will provide you with instructions for wound care after your breast lift surgery. You want to follow these instructions as closely as possible for the best results. Avoid exposure to the sun, which will make any scars you have more noticeable. Massage the spot, which will help eliminate inflammation and increase collagen fibers, which assist with reducing scarring.

You can apply an ointment or gel for scars, which will help the skin heal and reduce the appearance of any scars from your surgery. You can ask your surgeon what they recommend in your consultation. They may provide product recommendations to help the scars fade or minimize their appearance.

Why Scarring Shouldn’t Be a Deciding Factor for a Breast Lift

When you’re thinking about the pros and cons of a breast lift, you don’t want the worry over scarring to be the deciding factor. The breast lift will provide positive results despite the scars. If you’re tired of sagging breasts and want to have perkier breasts like when you were younger, a lift can be the best option.

Another reason not to let the idea of scars scare you away from the procedure is because they won’t be seen most of the time. An experienced plastic surgeon will place the incision in the best place to be barely noticeable. In many cases, you won’t see the scar at all in your regular clothing. With specific procedures, they can’t be seen even in more revealing clothes, such as formal gowns and sundresses.

Remember that scars fade in time while your breast lift can last for years. You’ll feel good about the way you look in tops and dresses with the position of your breasts. You also have the option to try laser treatments to reduce the appearance of scars further once the incisions have healed.

The best way to deal with scarring and to decide whether a breast lift is right for you is by scheduling a consultation with a plastic surgeon. Talk to them about your concerns; they can help you feel confident about moving forward with a breast lift.