Breast lift

Pregnancy, genetic predisposition, gravity, ageing, or significant fluctuations in body weight can cause breasts to sag, lose their shape, or droop. Sometimes the position of the nipple and areola are too low, or the areolas are enlarged, the nipples point down, the breasts are not of equal size, or they are not level.

Recovery

Treatment

Anaesthesia

Consultation

A breast lift can improve the appearance of your breasts in several ways:

Breast tissue is lifted and firmed
The nipple and areola are trans-positioned to a higher, more youthful position
The overall shape of the breasts is improved
The breast’s size or position is evened out
The volume of the breasts is reduced by, on average, one cup size

Even though a breast lift inevitably leaves you with more visible and permanent scars than a normal breast augmentation, most women are delighted with the results.

Types of breast lift surgery

A breast lift operation can be performed using any number of incisions and techniques. Dr Pirayesh will determine the proper technique for you based on several factors:

The size and shape of your breasts
The size and position of your areolas
The position of your nipples in proportion to the breast crease
The extent to which your breasts sag
The quality and elasticity of your skin and the amount of excess skin

A breast lift is an effective way to get fuller breasts while reducing your breasts by one cup size, but without adding the volume above the nipple that a breast augmentation achieves. Dr Pirayesh will determine whether he can achieve fullness through a breast lift only or whether you would benefit from a breast augmentation with implants.

Breast lift overview and timeline

Duration of the operation: 2 to 3 hours
Anaesthesia: light general anaesthetic administered by a specialised anaesthetist
Length of stay: outpatient, you can return home about 4 hours after surgery. You need to arrange transportation because you cannot drive yourself home.
Post-operation: slight swelling and tenderness. We will give you a sports bra that you have to wear, painkillers, antibiotics, and instructions on wound care.
Complications: very rare: fluid retention, infections, raised, livid scars
Recovery time: You may resume your normal activities one week after surgery, but you must refrain from lifting anything heavier than 5 kilos for the first two weeks and no heavier than 10 kilos for the next four weeks.
Results: a breast lift gives beautiful and lasting results with a beautiful shape and a higher and more youthful position of the nipple.
Scarring: The stitches will be removed within a week, and your scars will fade after a few months. Dr Pirayesh has developed a program, APS Scar Care, including aloe vera-based creams, laser treatments, and (if necessary) injections to ensure that your scars heal in the best possible way.

Breast lift in six steps

On the day of your surgery, Dr Pirayesh will mark your breasts while standing so that the current size and position of your breasts and nipples can be determined when you are lying on the surgery table. In addition, photos will be taken for your medical record.

Step 1. Anaesthesia

A specialist anaesthetist will inject a light general anaesthetic into a vein through a cannula (a thin, plastic tube) in your arm or hand. The anaesthetist and his team will monitor you closely throughout the operation, ensuring you are comfortable and safe. The anaesthetist will discuss the anaesthesia before your surgery and answer any questions.

Step 2. The incision

There are three types of incisions. Dr Pirayesh has previously determined the best option for you:

Around the areola
Around the areola and then vertically from the areola to the fold underneath your breast
Around the areola and then vertically to the crease underneath your breast and then horizontally following the crease, so the incision looks like an anchor

You will then be placed in an upright position. This ensures that your breasts are symmetrical and the nipples are in the correct position.

Step 3. Breast lift

When the implants are correctly positioned, Dr Pirayesh commences with the breast lift:

The underlying breast tissue is lifted and re-shaped to enhance the contour and firmness of the breasts
The nipple and areola are repositioned to a more natural, more youthful height
If necessary, enlarged areolas will be reduced and reshaped
Excess skin is removed to compensate for a reduced elasticity

Step 4. Suturing and bandaging

When Dr Pirayesh is happy with your new breast contours, he will suture the incisions. The incisions remain hidden in the natural fold under your breasts. They will significantly fade over time. The stitches are made in the deeper layers of breast tissue and support the newly formed breasts. Dr Pirayesh used sutures and/or surgical tape to seal the skin and protect the wounds. A small drain may be inserted under the skin to drain excess blood or fluid. The results of your breast lift are immediately visible.

Step 5. Recovery and aftercare

Dr Pirayesh provides specific written instructions about how to take care of your breasts in the weeks after surgery and what medication you should use for optimal healing and minimal risk of infection. When you come to the clinic for follow-up appointments, you will meet with him to discuss details with him and ask questions. Within a week after the operation, he will check the incisions and remove your sutures. After some time, the swelling will subside, and the scars will fade. If you have questions, you can send Dr Pirayesh a WhatsApp message, and he will happily answer your questions. Avoid the solarium or sauna for ten days before and ten days after surgery, and don’t drink alcohol or take blood thinners like aspirin (paracetamol is allowed).

Step 6. Wound healing and scars

Dr Pirayesh is very savvy when it comes to promoting rapid healing. He has developed a customised regimen, APS Scar Care, including creams based on aloe vera, laser treatments, and (if necessary) injections to ensure that your scars heal in the best possible way.

This regimen has ensured that many of Dr Pirayesh’s patients have hardly noticeable scars. However, it is impossible to pre-determine if patients will have problems with their scars healing.