Breast lift aims to restore the breast gland into a more anatomic location by internal suturing and glandular rearrangement techniques.
Breast lift aims to restore the breast gland into a more anatomic location by internal suturing and glandular rearrangement techniques. The nipple-areolar complex should be elevated from its droopy position as well. Skin has to be tucked in and removed; this is usually achieved via a vertical incision extending down from the areola (lollipop shape).
Fat grafting, taking fat from unwanted areas and processing them for reinjection, can also be used to increase fullness of the upper part of the breast. Breast lifting can also be combined with breast implants in one stage or two stage procedure if significant increase in volume is desired.
Breast hypertrophy usually begins during puberty and can worsen after child-bearing and breast feeding. The heavy weight of the breasts can result in symptoms such as neck and back ache from poor posture. In addition, rashes and fungal infection can affect the skin below the breasts. Patients complain of inability to exercise and impairment in their work and daily life. They also have difficulty finding suitable bras and clothes.
The goal of breast reduction is to lighten the breasts by removing excessive tissue, relieving the symptoms associated with the heavy weight. At the same time, the nipples which are typically droopy, are repositioned to a more anatomic location.
The extra skin is also removed, resulting in a final vertical scar extending downwards from the areola (“lollipop scar”).
The superomedial pedicle technique is the most commonly used method in our practice, which is associated with less bottoming-out of the breast. Most of the time, the “lollipop” vertical incision is sufficient. In very few patients with large amounts of inelastic skin, there may be an additional horizontal incision along the bottom of the breasts. The horizontal scar can be short (J-shaped scar) or long (inverted-T scar). Breast tissue is usually firmer than fat and cannot be reduced or reshaped by liposuction alone. Liposuction is however carried out at the sides to help further contour the shape and reduce weight.
When more than 250g of tissue is removed from each side, this may qualify as a medical procedure and become insurance and Medisave claimable (subject to approval).
Drains or suction dressings help internal healing and are often kept for a few days before removal. Sutures are usually removed at 2 weeks. A recovery bra without underwire is also recommended for the first 2-3 months. The scars can be optimised postoperatively with methods such as scar tape and lasers.
Breast lift can affect the degree of breast feeding success. Rarely, there may also be a reduction or alteration in nipple sensitivity that usually improves in time, although there’s a small chance it can be permanent. Women over the age of 40 should undergo mammogram as a baseline check.
Drains or suction dressings help internal healing and are often kept for a few days before removal. Sutures are usually removed at 2 weeks. A recovery bra without underwire is also recommended for the first 2-3 months.
Breast reduction can affect the degree of breast feeding success. There may also be a reduction or alteration in nipple sensitivity that usually improves in time, although there’s a small chance it can be permanent. Women over the age of 40 should undergo mammogram as a baseline check.
