As we age, many natural skin characteristics change in women, and the breast gradually begins to sag, losing its natural shape and firmness, especially the larger one, which cannot always be solved through exercise. Therefore, let us learn how a surgery can successfully lift the breast in a few hours, which cannot be achieved through traditional methods.

 

It is a plastic surgery that can restore the shape and youthfulness of saggy breasts by tightening the tissues that make up the breast and getting rid of excess skin that stretches over time, causing the breast to lose its roundness and natural shape.

 

Many factors cause breast sagging in women, making them dissatisfied with the shape and size of their breasts, including:

Pregnancy: Many changes occur to the breast during pregnancy, including stretching the ligaments that support the breast with an increase in breast size, resulting in saggy breasts after pregnancy, even in cases of non-breastfeeding.

Weight fluctuations: The skin stretches in response to weight gain to accommodate the volume that the breast gains from fat, which changes the skin's elasticity and makes it more saggy and loose.

Gravity: With time, gravity pulls the breast down, especially with age and other factors that cause breast sagging.

Aging: Skin elasticity gradually weakens as humans age, and aging increases tissue and skin sagging, especially with smoking, which reduces the skin's ability to produce collagen that helps rebuild the skin and maintain its elasticity and natural characteristics.

 

The surgery lifts the breast and changes the position of the nipples and the areola, the area surrounding the nipples that has a darker color, and can also reduce its size if it is too wide and loses its consistency with the shape of the breast, to make it more consistent with the new breast shape.

 

Breast lift surgery can be the ideal option to restore breast shape and regain self-confidence after the many changes that women may go through. The candidates should have:

• Good health.

• Be 18 years old or older.

• Have realistic expectations about the surgical results.

• It can be done for different breast sizes, although the smaller the breast size, the better the surgical results.

• Stable weight, without future pregnancy planning.

 

• The breast extends downward and takes a longitudinal shape.

• The breast sags downward, when not supported by a bra.

• The nipples sag downward.

• The areola widens and is directed downward.

• Breast asymmetry, with one breast extending more than the other longitudinally.

• Saggy, small breast size compared to the past.

 

Pregnancy and breastfeeding, as we have explained, are among the most common causes of breast sagging. Therefore, many women consider breast lift surgery after giving birth. However, most doctors recommend postponing the surgery until after childbirth and breastfeeding and making sure not to plan another pregnancy. Breast lift surgery does not affect pregnancy. On the contrary, pregnancy changes the results and causes the skin to relax and the breast to stretch again, affecting the surgical results and requiring another surgery. Therefore, it is preferable to perform breast lift surgery after finishing childbirth and breastfeeding, and after losing weight to avoid breast stretching and sagging again, as well as to maintain the surical results and avoid the need for redo surgery.

Breast lift surgery may carry some risks, including:

• Scarring.

• Changes in sensation.

• Asymmetrical results.

• Partial loss of the nipple.

• Infection.

• Bleeding.

However, risks and complications can be minimized by carefully selecting a qualified surgeon who takes adequate preventive measures and provides precise instructions in the recovery period, such as Dr. Wael Ghanem, a specialist in plastic and corrective procedures.

 

During your first visit with Dr. Wael Ghanem, some issues will be discussed, including:

• Review your medical history and ensure everything related to current and past medical conditions and any previous family history of breast cancer.

• Perform medical examinations and obtain the results of mammograms or breast tissue examinations.

• Verify all current or past medications the patient is taking.

• Determine the history of previous surgical procedures.

• Examine the breast, identify the location of the nipples and areolas, and explore surgical solutions.

• Examine the quality and elasticity of the skin and its ability to show surgical results.

• Take pictures of the breasts to keep in the medical record.

• Discuss all expectations of the surgery and the reasons for undergoing it.

• Scheduling a mammogram before and after the surgery to identify potential changes in breast tissue.

• Quitting smoking since it increases the likelihood of tissue and fat death, impairs blood flow, prevents healing, affects results, and increases the chance of skin necrosis.

• Avoiding blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, anti-inflammatories, and herbal supplements that increase the risk of bleeding.

• Pre-planning weight loss before surgery, eating healthily, and exercising to avoid weight loss after surgery, which leads to delayed results.

 

Breast lift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia in a hospital and typically takes an hour and a half to two hours. The surgery can be performed by making surgical incisions in the breast in various ways, depending on the patient's condition, breast sagging and shape, and the patient's preferences. The quality and elasticity of the skin also determine the incision's shape, the amount of excess skin, and the location and size of the areolas and nipples. These options include:

Standard surgical incision: A conical incision is made at the base of the breast that extends to the nipple, forming a conical-shaped incision. It is commonly used in extreme breast sagging cases and is considered the most scarring incision type.

Circular surgical incision: This type is performed in the least sagging cases and is limited to making a circular incision around the areola and removing excess skin and tissue around the areola and nipple to create a raised appearance and restore symmetry between the nipple and the saggy breast. It produces minimal scarring.

Vertical surgical incision: It is a procedure in which an incision is made around the areola and extends vertically to the bottom of the breast without making a horizontal incision under the breast, which is performed in the case of a standard incision.

 

In most cases, breast lift surgery is performed alongside breast augmentation surgery to add volume and fullness to the breast. Autologous fat transfer to the breast can also add more natural fullness and sensation.

 

After Dr. Wael Ghanem performs the surgical incisions, he removes excess sagging skin and tissues, and he may reposition the nipples, reduce the size of the areolas, or lift one of the nipples to achieve symmetry and harmony between the breasts and add height to the breasts. Then, the tissues are secured with deep sutures, which dissolve on their own, and the surgical incisions are closed with sutures or adhesive tape.

 

The recovery period includes the following:

After the surgery, you can return home on the same day. Dr. Wael Ghanem will cover the breasts with gauze and dressings to protect the incisions and absorb any leaking fluids or blood. He also recommends wearing a medical support bra to support the breasts and help drain excess fluids and blood. Additionally, he will place small tubes under the skin in the incision areas to help drain fluids.

During the first few weeks of recovery, you may experience bruising and swelling around the incision areas. Pain medication can help reduce discomfort, and the bruising and swelling will gradually subside over time.

Numbness around the nipples and breast skin may continue for up to 6 weeks, but it will gradually diminish. Antibiotics should be taken during this period to prevent infection, and the incision areas should be kept clean. The fluid drainage tubes should be emptied periodically to prevent fluid buildup, blood clots, and poor wound healing, which can lead to scarring.

During recovery, the breasts should not be subjected to movement or pressure, and bending should be avoided. Sleeping on your back is recommended to avoid pressure on the breasts. Pillows should be used to support the body while sleeping to prevent rubbing and friction on the breasts. Supporting the head above chest level with pillows when sleeping also helps eliminate swelling and bruises and prevent their formation. During this period, light walking is encouraged to promote blood circulation and prevent blood clots. Strenuous exercise should be avoided until the healing process is complete.

Dr. Wael Ghanem will change dressings and fluid drainage tubes after a few days. The deep stitches will dissolve on their own, and the superficial stitches will be removed after 1 to 2 weeks.

A supportive medical bra should be worn for a while, and then replaced with soft, gentle bras like sports bras, which should be worn for 3 to 4 weeks.

The doctor may suggest using silicone strips or gel on the incision areas to promote healing. Sun exposure should be avoided during this period, and sunscreen should be used. Following all instructions will help the incisions heal well, reducing the likelihood of thick scarring.

 

Changes of the appearance of the breasts will be noticeable immediately after the surgery, although the breasts will continue to settle gradually until they have fully healed. The final results will appear within several months. Initially, scars will appear red and pink, but they will gradually fade and become less visible over time. The breasts will be firmer and more lifted, giving the appearance of being slightly smaller. Results can last as long as possible by avoiding weight fluctuations, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and exercising regularly. However, the breasts may naturally sag with age and other factors. If additional support is needed, fat transfers and redo surgery can be performed to achieve the desired symmetry.

 

In conclusion, if you are interested in breast lift surgery to achieve a more youthful and attractive appearance, don't hesitate to ask questions and seek further advice from Dr. Wael Ghanem's clinic through his website or social media pages.