Types of breast lift

Regardless of the reasons that lead women to the need for surgery, clinics offer several types of breast lift. They differ in effectiveness, cost, duration, and side effects. Which type of breast lift to offer is decided together with the patient.

1. Thread lifting is considered a new and relatively gentle method, suitable for women with delicate busts. Threads are inserted into the tissue and attached to the collarbone. A kind of invisible bra is formed. Then the threads dissolve - without a trace and harmlessly. The operation is performed under local anesthesia, recovery is painless, the effect lasts for six months.
2. Macroline filler does not require anesthesia at all. With the help of an injection, a kind of cushion is formed, increasing the volume and thereby lifting the breast. If necessary, the introduction of the filler evens out asymmetry. The manipulation lasts only half an hour, the effect is up to 2 years. After the gel is absorbed, it can be re-injected.
3. Lipofilling (modeling) is the transplantation of fatty tissue into the mammary gland. The principle is similar to the previous one, which is about a filler. Usually, fat is taken from where there is the most of it, that is, from the buttocks and thighs, and transplanted to the desired location under general anesthesia. The difficulty is that it is not easy to obtain fat, and not all of it takes root (it’s good if half). Afterwards, the patient should wear a special style bra.
4. Endoprosthetics is the most effective method that allows not only to tighten, but also to model the breasts of the correct shape and appearance. For this purpose, silicone implants of the desired shape are inserted into the body, as close as possible in consistency and to the touch to natural organs. This is a complex intervention that requires anesthesia and highly qualified doctors.
5. Mastopexy is used when other methods are ineffective. It is a complex and painful operation, which involves incisions, punctures and cuts, suturing and excision. Sometimes implants are used additionally. There are periareolar, vertical, endoscopic mastopexy. The advantage is that there are a minimum of scars, especially if punctures are made, not cuts.

Anchor Breast Lift

Surgeons value anchor breast lift because they can evaluate the results of their work already on the operating table. In addition, the operation makes it possible to eliminate significant defects and achieve a lasting result. Although this breast lift option is very labor-intensive and complex.

• The technique is effective in cases of asymmetry, high-grade ptosis, deformation, including of both glands, significant volumes of excess dermis and glandular tissue.

Usually, such problems require modeling the location and shape of the mammary gland, as well as installing implants. The disadvantages include the fact that the procedure is quite traumatic, with a long rehabilitation period and a long T-shaped scar. The specialist is forced to make several incisions, which often intersect, forming a kind of anchor. Hence the name - anchor lift.

• During the operation, the patient is under anesthesia and is observed by a physician who monitors important indicators of her condition. Depending on the indications, the surgeon works from an hour to 2.

Skipping over the details of the technique, which are more important for doctors, we will dwell on the advice that must be followed after the operation. In order to avoid pathological consequences, it is advisable for the woman to stay in the clinic for several days to be under control and receive qualified care, in particular, dressings.

In case of severe discomfort caused by tissues getting used to new parameters, only a specialist can prescribe painkillers or treatment regimens. Self-medication is not allowed!

Special underwear or a bandage should also be worn in compliance with the rules. In order to reduce pain and stress on the chest, not to overdo it with compression and prevent injury to the glands. It is important to dress for the season, lead a healthy lifestyle, and use warm, not hot or cold water for hygiene. [ 1 ], [ 2 ]

Breast lift with threads, mesothreads

A relatively new method of correction without surgery is breast lift with threads, mesothreads. It is even positioned as an alternative to plastic surgery, but threads are not always so effective, and are not suitable for everyone. In particular, threads are effective for a bust of no more than size 2, and the correction gradually decreases over the course of a year, returning to the previous state.

For breast lifting, several types of threads are used, consisting of polylactic, lactic acids, polydioxanone, gold, platinum. The procedure has enough advantages:

• Minimal trauma, fast healing.
• The restoration is carried out in a very short time.
• For punctures, local anesthesia is used rather than general anesthesia.
• No incisions are made and no scars are left.
• Few post-procedural restrictions.
• No foreign bodies are introduced into the body: fillers, silicone.
• Local blood supply and metabolism are improved.

Mesothreads provide an excellent preventive result, preventing mastoptosis. They are inserted into the skin by 3-5 cm, following the doctor's markings. Usually, the thread frame is attached to the collarbone. At the same time, they are not visible to outsiders and do not pose a threat to nerves and blood vessels.

However, one should not exaggerate the ease, ignoring the adverse effects of the procedure. These include retractions, contouring, thread cutting, local inflammation. According to surgeons, unlike thread lifting on the face, they occur more often on the mammary glands. Therefore, some specialists do not recommend threads to patients, so as not to disappoint them in plastic surgery in general and in their qualifications in particular.

Breast lift and augmentation

For those who are not satisfied with the size and "height", plastic surgery offers breast lift and breast augmentation. This is a common occurrence, and is facilitated by loss of tone, fading, and a decrease in the volume of the mammary glands after the end of lactation. Breast lift with size change is also performed to correct or replace an existing implant. Such a combined operation is prescribed individually, taking into account the characteristics of the body, anamnesis, and symptoms.

The preparatory stage includes an ECG, fluorography, biochemistry, blood tests to rule out hepatitis, syphilis, HIV, examination by a number of specialists who make their conclusions. The examinations are carried out almost end-to-end, so that by the day of the operation we can see the real picture.

• Two weeks before the procedure, blood-thinning medications are started, and cigarettes and alcohol are strictly prohibited.

A facelift with augmentation is performed with local anesthesia, it takes up to an hour. Drainage is installed to remove lymphatic fluid. In general, the actions of doctors and the subsequent behavior of patients are not much different from other methods.

The residual effect is visible a month after the lift and implantation. The stitches disappear after six months, and then the breasts appear in all the beauty that the customer dreamed of. [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Breast reduction and lift

In response to the whims of fashion and human tastes, aesthetic medicine has developed methods not only for breast augmentation, but also for breast reduction and lifting. This is usually the same operation, with the same risks and results. After all, the surgeon will have to remove excess skin and other tissues.

• Breast lift with size reduction can also be caused by practical reasons: breasts that are too large are not easy to “wear”, the weight causes pain, numbness, skin irritation from the cutting in parts of the bra and sweating of the under-breast folds.

It is more difficult for a woman to move, and hormonal imbalances occur in her body more often than in others. Finally, one should not discount the moral discomfort of having a heavy, but not always beautiful mammary gland.

Regardless of the technique, the surgeon is obliged to explain all the details of the upcoming plastic surgery, take measurements and mark the body where the incisions are planned. Some tissue is removed, the nipple is moved to the desired position. If the procedure is carried out correctly and after care, the scars will stop standing out over time. It is typical that the pain after reduction is weaker than after surgery with volume increase. It is relieved with mild analgesics.

Breasts, even if reduced, are subject to gravity and are naturally pulled downwards. Bras, including special sports bras, help prevent sagging. They should be worn after the lift, following the doctor's recommendations, for one to three months, until the scar tissue becomes strong and fills the seams. Surgical tape, which is used to seal the seams, also promotes healing. [ 5 ], [ 6 ]

Breast lift without breast augmentation

When talking about breast lift, sometimes we mean its simultaneous enlargement or reduction. Breast lift without breast augmentation is done to eliminate ptosis, provide a natural look and attractive shape of the female gland. The need for surgery is caused by bearing and feeding children, sharp fluctuations in body weight or the amount of hormonal components, as well as age-related processes in the body.

• During the procedure, excess skin is removed through incisions, and the remaining skin is pulled up and fixed with stitches. The nipple with the areola is moved to the point where it should be. The patient sleeps during the operation, and after it, she remains under hospital observation for some time.

Depending on the location and shape of the incisions, there are circular, vertical and anchor mastopexy techniques. The choice is determined by the surgeon based on the severity of the problem, that is, the degree of ptosis. With any technique, swelling, pain, bruises follow the operation, which disappear within a few weeks. Physical activity, sunbathing, water procedures are prohibited for the entire recovery period, which lasts about a month. It is equally important to wear a compression bra during this time.

Despite all the achievements of aesthetic medicine, scars remain after a breast lift. The advantage is that they can be made minimally noticeable later with the help of other plastic manipulations, in the same beauty clinics.

Breast lift with endoprosthetics

Breast lift does not increase its size. Therefore, clients often order breast lift with endoprosthetics, during which the shape is corrected and the size is increased. In addition to wishes, there are also objective indications for breast lift with implants, including if a woman has had a mammary gland removed or one of them is underdeveloped. For such a combined operation, high-quality and safe prostheses from manufacturers with an impeccable reputation are used.

When selecting products, the specialist pays attention to the following criteria:

• density of the filler, ability to hold its shape for a long time and withstand loads;
• high reliability of the shell;
• desired shape;
• the possibility of reliable fixation of the implant;
• price.

The surgeon takes into account the patient’s wishes regarding the shape, price, safety, and also evaluates it from the point of view of his work – in particular, the ease of installation and penetration into tissue.

During the procedure, which takes from 2 to 4 hours, the doctor removes part of the skin and makes a kind of pocket. The endoprosthesis is inserted into this bed, then covered with a bandage and stitches. The patient is left on bed rest for several days.

The residual aesthetic effect depends not only on the skill of the specialists, but also on the patient's discipline in the post-clinical period. A sedentary regime without loads, compression underwear around the clock, refusal of water procedures are the most important conditions of the first weeks. Light work can be performed after the removal of stitches on the 7-10th day.

Breast lift without implants

When ordering a breast lift, the patient wants to get beautiful, high breasts of the ideal shape, according to her taste. And not just like that, but because such indicators make the figure, the body visually younger and more attractive. To achieve this, it is enough to do a breast lift without implants, which provides breast lifting without changing the size of the mammary gland. For this purpose, the surgeon cuts out certain areas of the skin and reshapes the bust.

There are three common methods, each corresponding to the degree of breast sagging.

• Periareolar involves making a circular incision around the areola.
• The vertical one also involves an additional cut – vertically, in the middle of each breast. The design looks like the children’s favorite lollipops.
• The anchor method requires another incision, horizontally under the breast. It is performed for stage 3 ptosis and is, as can be seen from the pictures, the most traumatic operation.

However, according to experienced doctors, the speed of healing does not depend on the number of incisions. For example, the "lollipop" heals better than the periareolar incision. The explanation is that the skin is less stretched and the suture remains thin, not stretching, as in the first case. Therefore, the periareolar option is not suitable for many people. The "anchor" circular suture also relieves tension, due to which a less noticeable scar is formed around the areola.

Vertical Breast Lift

Modern surgery can make even the most problematic breasts perfect. Vertical breast lift is practiced in the presence of moderate sagging. With its help, beautiful contours are created usually without changing the size of the breasts. Although it is also possible to do such a breast lift with the simultaneous implantation of a prosthesis. Everything depends on the wishes and capabilities of the clients.

• Before cutting, the surgeon measures. That is, before the scalpel, he takes a marker and draws clear lines on the skin of the woman standing in front of him, along which the incisions will be made and the tissues will shift.

The operation is performed on an anesthetized body, after all the planned manipulations the tissues are carefully sutured. The patient leaves the clinic in just 24 hours, provided that she conscientiously follows a gentle home regimen.

• The woman will have to recover not only physically, but also mentally. In particular, be prepared for the fact that the sensitivity of the nipples will disappear - fortunately, not forever. And that unsightly traces of incisions will be visible, which, however, will fade over time and become invisible.

In general, the healing process takes from 4 months to a year. By this time, the breasts acquire their final forms. During this entire period, a woman should demonstrate high discipline and responsibility, and adhere to strict but extremely necessary restrictions. Then you can admire and be proud of your breasts, and the consequences in the form of scars will turn into barely noticeable marks. By the way, to disguise them, the clinic can offer delicate tattooing. [ 7 ]

Endoscopic Breast Lift

A significant advantage of endoscopic breast lift is that it leaves a minimum of scars. It is the fear of such consequences that scares many patients away from breast enhancement surgeries. After all, with surgical methods, the risk of ruining the skin with repulsive marks of breast lift is very high, and it is not always possible to overcome it.

• Endoscopy involves surgical intervention without incisions, but through punctures. They are made in the folds under the breasts or under the arms, so they are not only smaller in size, but also located in less visible areas.

The technique is offered to women with small busts and mild ptosis. Surgical access is selected individually for each case. The manipulation is performed separately or with the installation of prostheses that increase the volume of the breast. It is also possible to combine it with the removal of excess tissue, which leads to a reduction in the bust.

In their work, surgeons use general anesthesia and a special device – an endoscope, on the monitor of which all actions are reflected. The operation includes several stages:

• punctures;
• formation of cavities by introducing water, which pushes apart tissues and compresses vessels to reduce bleeding;
• separation of tissue from the chest, excision, suturing of edges;
• when enlarged, an implant is inserted;
• fixation of the breasts and application of skin sutures.

The operation gives good results in ptosis, breast correction – with or without changes in its volume. A small number of traces and relatively easy rehabilitation make the technique quite popular among the clientele of aesthetic clinics. [ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Periareolar Breast Lift

In case of minor sagging and excess tissue, surgeons offer periareolar breast lift. The goal of the manipulation is to return the bust to its former beauty, which is achieved through the following actions:

• nipple displacement;
• removal of excess skin;
• elimination of asymmetry;
• formation of a natural contour;
• reducing the diameter of the areolas, if the situation requires it.

Breast lift along the areola is recommended for women in the following situations:

• when excess skin forms after the end of lactation;
• in case of sudden weight loss;
• in case of age-related fading;
• when refusing implants – to maintain elasticity.

In preparation for a breast lift, the patient undergoes a medical examination (urine and blood tests, mammography and fluorography, ECG) and forced restrictions. She is consulted by various specialists to identify or prevent contraindications. All this contributes to a faster recovery and guarantees a reduced risk of undesirable consequences.

• During the operation, doctors make two circular incisions. One along the nipple, the other at some distance from the first.

The result is a ring-shaped strip of skin that must be removed and the edge sewn to the nipple. The deep layers are stitched with special absorbable threads, and the skin is stitched with nylon, strong and thin. Sometimes a drainage tube is inserted to drain liquids, and the stitches themselves are reinforced with a plaster that supports the incision and protects it from tension. Postoperative care is the same as with other facelift techniques.

Circular Breast Lift

One of the types of plastic surgery is a circular breast lift. It is recommended for women with a low degree of sagging of the mammary gland. The breast lift technique in such cases consists of removing a skin "ribbon" cut out around the areola.

• Quite figuratively, although somewhat cynically, the incision is called a "donut" - due to the similarity of the removed area of skin with the beloved pastry. The edge of the skin is sewn to the areola, due to which the nipple, together with the bust, is raised to the desired height.

In addition to the circular breast lift, surgeons practice "anchor", "lollipop", "half-moon" incisions. They are prescribed for patients with more pronounced drooping, excess glandular and skin tissue. Everything depends on the actual indications. In any case, the success of the enterprise depends on a combination of several factors: the qualifications of the surgeons and the responsibility of the woman in the preparatory and postoperative periods. However, as well as in the subsequent years of life.

Individual characteristics also play a role. For some patients, one visit to a plastic surgeon lasts ten years, while others are forced to have a facelift twice during this time. Those who do not have serious deviations in the functioning of the body and bad habits, but prefer a healthy and active lifestyle, have more guarantees. [ 10 ]

T-shaped breast lift

Anchor mastopexy is also called a T-shaped breast lift. That is, these names are synonyms. This is a classic technique, it is offered to solve the problems of women whose bust has undergone severe ptosis. The ligaments that normally support a woman's breasts stretch and do not perform their function. This happens due to noticeable fluctuations in weight, and is also provoked by lactation, aging, pregnancy.

• As in other cases, the doctor makes markings on the body of the standing patient, and during the breast lift, he uses a scalpel along these lines.

There are two incisions, schematically resembling the shape of a sea anchor, a keyhole or an inverted T. It's up to you what you like best. The surgeon cuts off the excess and moves the center of the gland to a previously marked location. The breast becomes higher, visually younger, but, unfortunately, the stitches and then scars are located in visible places. This is almost the only drawback of the technique.

Recovery depends on individual characteristics. Breast stabilization may occur after two or even six months. The main thing is that an aesthetic result is possible even with severe sagging. The same technique provides the opportunity to increase the bust to the desired size.

Seamless Breast Lift

The presence of stitches and marks is one of the negative factors that discourage patients from surgical breast lift using classical methods. It is for such women that a unique innovative plastic technique has been created – seamless breast lift. The doctor who patented the technique promises the most gentle mode of implementation, minimal recovery time and a natural harmonious result.

• A seamless operation is achieved because no sutures are placed on the skin surface at all, so the incision sites become virtually invisible over time. The breasts are supported because the internal tissues are maximally strengthened by sutures, which subsequently dissolve on their own.

The operation makes it possible not only to lift, but also to enlarge the breasts, to eliminate asymmetry. Such a combination protects against the need for repeated intervention: in one go, you get both the desired size and the chosen shape of the bust. The results are stable and long-lasting.

Seamless technology is used for any type of lift: circular, vertical, anchor. The methods depend on the severity of the problem, age and wishes of the clients, and the names depend on the shape of the incisions. According to aesthetic rules, in any case, both nipples should be located higher than the folds under the breast.

Breast lift with lipofilling

According to the authoritative opinion and experience of specialists, breast lift with fat (own) has both pros and cons.

The advantages are that by transplanting fat to the desired location, it is simultaneously removed from unwanted locations. The procedure is minimally invasive and long-lasting in results. Natural material is used, the breast also looks natural, postoperative risks are reduced to zero.

And yet there are risks. The disadvantages of breast lift with lipofilling are as follows:

• Slender women cannot use the service due to the lack of excess fat on their bodies.
• You can increase the volume by only half a size once, but ensure complete symmetry over a long period of time.
• Breast lifts using this method do not remove significant stretch marks or folds; fat is partially reabsorbed.
• Severe hormonal imbalances or weight problems can subsequently change breast volume in an uncontrollable manner.

The fat is collected using special instruments through punctures. It is cleaned, packaged in syringes and injected into designated points. [ 11 ]

The injected substance takes up to 4 months to take root, after which stabilization occurs. During this period, the woman feels discomfort, tension, and cannot perform normal movements. After several lipofilling sessions, you can expect a permanent result.