However, it doesn’t mean you have to take it lying down, or rather, hanging low. There is a solution. Breast lift surgery, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical aesthetic procedure that addresses sagging uneven breasts, decreased breast volume, dropping nipples and stretched areolas (the darker area surrounding the nipples), which restores breast projection and improves breast shape.

There are three types of breast lift surgery techniques which primarily describe the pattern of skin removal and the resulting scars associated with each technique. At your consultation, I will determine the incision patterns based on the degree of sagging, amount of excess skin, and overall size of your breasts.

Circumareolar breast lift incisions sometimes referred to as “donut” or “Benelli” involve skin removal limited to the area around the outer border of the nipple. With this operation, the plastic surgeon can only elevate the nipples but not rearrange breast tissue internally to lift the breast, so the results are less dramatic. Ideal candidates for this technique are women with mild to moderate sagging breasts.

The vertical breast lift incisions are made also around the outer border of the nipple, with a vertical incision from the 6 o’clock position of the outer border round the nipple to the fold under the breast. This incision is also referred to as the “lollipop” because of its lollipop-like outline. Ideal candidates for this technique are women with moderate degree of sagging breasts.

Traditional breast lift incisions are made around the outer border of the nipple, with a vertical incision from the 6 o’clock position of the outer border around the nipple to the fold under the breast and another incision at the fold under the breast. This incision is also referred to as the “anchor lift” because of its anchor-like outline. Ideal candidates for this technique are women with extremely droopy breasts.

You are a good candidate for a breast lift if….

• Your breasts hang down loosely below the breast fold.
• Your breasts appear different from each other in terms of size, firmness and/or substance.
• Your nipples are pointing downward.
• Your areolas are widened to more than 2 inches 

I would suggest combining breast augmentation or reduction with a breast lift in order to achieve a more desired breast volume at the same time as breast lift. And please:

• Postpone undergoing a breast lift procedure until after childbearing and breastfeeding because pregnancy may stretch the breasts and reduce volume, compromising the surgery results.
• Review as many before and after photos as possible, taken from multiple angles, so that you have a clear idea of the kind of breast shape and projection that your plastic surgeon is likely to replicate. Ask for photos taken at least one to two years postoperatively, so that you have a clear idea of what the ultimate scar appearance is likely to be.
• Do your research to ensure your plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)

Adapted Law, Michael MD. (2014, October 16) “Uplifting:Gravity-Defying Breasts with a Little Help”. ASAPS www.smartbeautyguide.com Blog.