How do you know if you need a breast lift, breast reduction, or breast enlargement to correct sagging and make your breasts look younger? Questions and answers about breast lift surgery remain popular search parameters on my website. It is also one of the main concerns of patient consultations in my practice. Breast surgery is consistently in the top 5 procedures for women requesting cosmetic surgery according to the American Society for Cosmetic Surgery.
Sagging or sagging breasts are frequent concerns for women seeking consultations from plastic surgeons. There are specific procedures that are most effective in addressing these physical findings. Let’s start with the “pencil test“Because it is a simple and remarkable way of knowing if breast lift surgery could be helpful in correcting this condition. The pencil test helps to identify true sagging. Place a pencil under your breast where it is attached to your breast and if your nipple hangs below the pencil when you sit or stand, then you might consider a breast lift.
The true sagging or sagging of a woman’s nipples can occur after pregnancy or as a result of any dramatic weight gain or loss. True sagging refers to the location of the nipple position below the crease under your breast. I do not recommend breast lift surgery if the nipples are above the crease or at the level of the crease. Breast enlargement is usually enough to correct the shape of sagging breasts in most cases, where the nipples are above the crease. However, breast lift surgery is specifically designed to reposition the nipple and areola (pigmented skin around the nipple) up into a more natural position. The natural position is approximately one-half to three-quarters of an inch above the crease. Placing the nipples higher than this can result in an odd appearance of the breasts. The size of the areola can also be reduced during the procedure if the patient wishes.
Breast enlargement or reduction may be considered to change the size, shape, and contour of the breasts, when a breast lift would not be indicated to achieve the desired enhancement. As with all breast surgeries, size is a personal choice and all options should be discussed during your consultation with your surgeon. Breast surgery is often part of the combined procedures commonly referred to as Mommy Makeovers, along with tummy tuck gold tummy tuck. Mommy Makeovers are designed to address the unwanted physical changes that can linger after pregnancy.
