Considering a Breast Lift to Look Younger? Read This First!

By Sondra Forsyth

There are many factors that can alter the shape, size, and feel of your breasts, including breastfeeding, weight gain or loss, and worst of all, the natural aging process. As you get older, your breasts will naturally start to look less full and feel less firm, thanks in most part to hormone changes in your body that lead to fat and tissue loss. Unfortunately, you can’t fight gravity, but there are certain things you can do to improve the not-so-perky girls, such as chest exercises or sculpting creams. But one of the most popular alternatives is the anti-aging surgical procedure known as a breast lift.

What Does a Breast Lift Entail?                                                                                                    

A breast lift is a fairly common anti-aging surgical procedure because it can make the chest area look younger. During a routine breast lift, the doctor makes three small incisions: one around the contour of the areola (the dark area around the nipple), another on the lower rim of the areola down to the crease of the breast, and the third cut is made horizontally following the natural curved crease just beneath the breast. The areola and nipple are never severed from the underlying tissue in a breast lift, and therefore remain intact to not only protect sensation, but to also allow for the ability to breastfeed after the anti-aging surgical procedure is completed.

The next step in a breast lift is to trim the excess skin. The areola and nipple are then relocated to a new, higher location. At this point in the anti-aging surgical procedure, if there is an unappealing aesthetic quality about the areola that has stretched over time, the doctor may adjust the size to make it more visually pleasing. The skin, which was previously positioned above the areola, is pulled down and sewn together to remodel the breast. Some women also choose to get breast implants in conjunction with the breast lift to add extra volume.

This anti-aging surgical procedure generally takes anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5 hours.

How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost, and Will Insurance Cover It?

The cost of this anti-aging surgical procedure ranges depending on where you get it done. The average price is just over $4,000.00.

A breast lift usually isn’t covered by insurance because it’s considered a cosmetic anti-aging surgical procedure.

Who Are the Best Candidates for a Breast Lift?

The main factor in deciphering whether or not you are a good candidate for this anti-aging surgical procedure is whether or not you are in good physical health and have realistic expectations about the outcome of the breast lift. This is usually determined by a series of questions your doctor will ask you during a consultation prior to the anti-aging surgical procedure. If you are unhappy or self-conscious about sagging breasts, have one lower than the other, or have a flat shape with hardly any volume, you could be a good fit for a breast lift.

What are the Risks and Side Effects of a Breast Lift?

Because a breast lift is an invasive anti-aging surgical procedure, the risks and side effects are inevitable. They can include a bad reaction to anesthesia, heavy bleeding, scarring, skin discoloration, prolonged pain, and, of course, infection. Luckily, breast lift patients typically don’t have any major issues and the anti-aging surgical procedure is usually performed quite successfully. However, once your breast lift has healed, you may decide to do some additional corrective work to fine-tune the shape of your new breasts. As is the case with most other anti-aging surgical procedures, breast lift risks are drastically reduced if you do not smoke or abuse any other substances.

What Can I Expect Before and After My Breast Lift Surgery?

Before this anti-aging surgical procedure is performed, you will first have a consultation with your doctor, who will take your entire medical history, explain the procedure, and present your best options. If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, the doctor may recommend a mammogram beforehand.

After the anti-aging surgical procedure, you will feel sore, have lots of swelling, and be unable to resume daily activities immediately. Dressing and bandages will also be applied and you will have to wear a support bra until the stitches heal. A drainage tube is usually inserted to get rid of excess fluids after your breast lift surgery, but the tube is removed upon follow-up visits with your doctor. The incision marks from the breast lift will leave a mark, but they’ll eventually fade. Since this is a very individualized anti-aging surgical procedure, always follow your doctor’s specific instructions both pre-op and post-op for a safe and healthy recovery.

This article originally appeared on AgeIn.com.