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Breast lift

Breast lift

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What is a breast lift?

Over the years, your breasts will become saggy. This can be a result of pregnancy, breastfeeding, losing weight, getting older, etc.

A breast lift can make them tighter again and give them volume so that they become beautiful and full again. It is often combined with a breast reduction or enlargement and some excess skin is removed. It will be determined in advance whether the shape and appearance of your new breasts fit the rest of your body.

Breast lift

Procedure – How does a breast lift work?

  • During a consultation, your surgeon will draw up your treatment plan with you. In this plan, you will determine together what you expect, what the possibilities are, etc.
  • Before the operation, the surgeon will make the necessary notes on the skin. After that, you will be put under anesthesia and the procedure will take an average of 2.5 hours.
  • Depending on the extent of the breast lift, 1, 2 or 3 incisions are made: around the areola, from the lower edge of the areola vertically downwards and/or horizontally in the natural curve. This method is also called the anchor method (after the shape of the scar). The skin is then detached from the underlying tissue.

If it concerns a small breast lift, the option is sometimes chosen Benelli MethodThe lifting is performed exclusively around the nipple.

  • The breast tissue is then moved upwards and the excess skin is removed. If necessary, a breast prosthesis can also be used at this stage.

With an anchor-shaped scar you have 3 scars:

  • 1 in the natural skin fold under the breast.
  • 1 from the center of the skin fold runs vertically to the nipple
  • 1 around the nipple

Our surgeon will do everything he can to keep this to a minimum. After your recovery, the scars in the breast fold and around the areola will be barely visible. The part that fades vertically from the breast fold to the nipple will fade slightly but will remain visible

When you do Benelli lifting These scars are only around the nipple. 

The plastic surgeon does everything possible to keep the scars as subtle as possible.

Breast lift

Benefits

  • A breast lift restores the breasts' shape and firmness.
  • It can improve your self-image and self-confidence, especially if the outcome is in line with your expectations.
  • Clothing and underwear may fit better.
Breast lift

Disadvantages or complications

Some possible complications of a breast lift may include:

  • Infection
  • Wound dehiscence (opening of the wound along the incision line)
  • Hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that may require removal)
  • Adverse reaction to anesthesia
  • Delayed wound healing
  • Post-operative bleeding
  • Nipple necrosis
  • Fat necrosis
  • Long-term wound fluid
  • asymmetry
  • Sensory disturbances and/or changes in sensation of the nipple and skin, possibly permanent
  • Permanent scars
  • Damage to underlying structures
  • Allergic reactions to tape, sutures and plasters
  • Ache
  • Unsatisfactory aesthetic result
  • Rupture of the prosthesis
  • Rotating the prosthesis
  • Capsule formation (= tightening of the scar tissue in the breast or around a prosthesis. This can occur after the procedure, but also after several years)
  • Gel bleed
  • We recommend that you stop smoking before surgery. Patients who smoke or use tobacco or nicotine products (such as nicotine patches and gum) at the time of surgery have a higher risk of complications such as skin necrosis and poorer wound healing

Recovery – What to Expect After a Breast Lift?

  • The first few days after the procedure, your breasts and muscles will feel sore and stiff. There may also be slight engorgement around the treated area, causing it to become tight and tense. Your breast needs time to adjust to the new shape.
  • We recommend arranging transportation when you return home, driving yourself will not be possible and is strongly discouraged to avoid complications.
  • As with any surgical procedure, the treated area may be bruised and swollen. Scars are often red and raised, which is quite normal. Your body has just undergone a procedure and is responding naturally.
  • The breast tissue and skin around the breasts need to adapt to the new shape and this takes a few weeks to months. We recommend wearing a sports bra day and night for 6 weeks, which gives your tissues all the support.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise, sports activities and the like for the first 6 weeks.
  • Once the wound is closed and the scabs have disappeared, you can start applying scar cream. Apply this twice a day to the closed wound; this increases the chance of a good healing. Avoid direct sunlight or use a sunscreen with a high protection factor (e.g. factor 2).
  • The discomfort can last for months. Usually it takes up to a year and a half for your scars to calm down. Patience and good aftercare are therefore crucial.
  • You may experience a burning sensation during the treatment. This decreases during treatment.
  • The first days after the phenol peeling, the skin may be tighter, painful, red or slightly swollen. This depends on how deep the peeling has gone.
  • From day 3 your face will start to peel, which can last up to 10 days. Expect scabs, itching, flakes etc. Try not to touch it and let the skin come off naturally. Do not cleanse your skin until 10 to 14 days after the treatment. You will receive instructions for this. Be careful when cleaning your skin and use a soothing and disinfectant cream to hydrate the skin.
  • We recommend avoiding direct sunlight during the first 3 months and using a sunscreen with a high protection factor (e.g. 50).
  • Because your skin will be sensitive to sunlight, we only perform this treatment between October and April to prevent sun damage during the summer.