How Long Does a Breast Lift Last?

If you are considering a breast lift, you may wonder, “how long does a breast lift last?” Well, the answer varies by individual. There are a few concepts to consider when wondering how long you can expect to maintain the results.

Each body is different and ages at different rates. A breast lift may visually turn back the clock, but it doesn’t stop it. Though it is a permanent procedure, most people maintain their results for about a decade to fifteen years.

A breast lift is a plastic surgery procedure to rejuvenate the appearance of the bust line. During a breast lift, a plastic surgeon will lift, re-shape and tighten the skin of your breasts for a more lifted and “perky” appearance. Often this is done along with a breast reduction or augmentation, but that isn’t always the case.

Some changes your doctor can make during a breast lift include:

• Reshaping the breasts for a more aesthetically pleasing or rounded appearance
• Lifting the breast to sit higher on the chest
• Repositioning the nipples and even reducing the size of the areola
• Removing excess skin that leads to a saggier appearance
• Making the breasts look more symmetrical if one looks a little saggier

People often seek a breast lift along with another breast cosmetic surgery but not always. Other times when people consider a breast lift it is usually after breastfeeding, to restore confidence, to fight natural changes from aging, or after a significant weight loss.

The final result is a more youthful appearance. Even though the results are permanent changes to the skin because of aging, pregnancy, and weight fluctuations still may happen. Over time, the signs of aging return, and you may have the option to re-treat the area or have a “revision” if you want to maintain your prior results.

Some of those signs may include the following:

• Wrinkling on the breasts and cleavage
• Loosening of the skin especially due to weight gain and loss
• Sagging breasts
• An elongated appearance to the breasts
• Stretched or saggy-looking nipples
• Nipples that point down

Ways to Maintain your Results for Longer

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons outlines a few common-sense strategies to maintain lift results for longer. As you will notice, most involve taking care of yourself and your skin.

The best way is to try to avoid significant weight gain and loss. As we age, the skin doesn’t tighten as it used to after weight loss. Of course, life sometimes has other plans. Even with a diligent diet and exercise program, pregnancy, childbirth, nursing, changing hormonal balance, or illness may cause changes to breast size and weight. Revision surgery may be a good option in that case, depending on how you feel about the resulting changes to your body.

In addition to maintaining a healthy weight, wear a supportive bra during sports to minimize sagging and elongating of the breasts.

The firm skin texture associated with youth is because the body produces collagen and elastin. This naturally slows due to age and sun damage. This applies to the skin on your decollete as well as your face and neck. Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen whenever you go outside, drive, or fly in an airplane throughout the year (not just during the summer).

If you are a tobacco user, vaper, or smoker, consider quitting, as it causes a range of health issues, including premature aging.

Finally, if you know you plan to expand your family in the near future, consider waiting to have your breast lifted until after you deliver and wean the child.

Taking good care of yourself also helps extend the results. This applies to lifestyle choices like getting enough sleep, staying current with your preventative health examinations, and managing stress. The body operates holistically, so good overall health decreases the likelihood of premature aging, which indirectly helps you maintain any cosmetic procedure results for longer.

Schedule a Consultation

As with any cosmetic procedure, a consultation with a plastic surgeon is the first step toward getting the results you want. Find one you feel comfortable having an open and honest discussion. Talk about your hopes, goals, concerns, fears, lifestyle, and medical history. Also, if you plan to have a child or another child, be sure to discuss that and your timeline.

Your plastic surgeon should show you examples of results you may realistically expect through before and after photographs or imaging tools that simulate results. An informed patient is an empowered patient, so realistic expectations are a must!

Also, be aware that elective surgery isn’t for everyone, as any operation carries risks. The best candidates for a breast lift include people in good overall health, who are non-smokers, and within their healthy weight range. These guidelines are for your safety. For example, being overweight adds complexity to figuring out the proper anesthetics to administer while increasing risk during surgical procedures. Smoking hinders the body’s healing process making recovery more difficult.

If you are not yet a good candidate for the surgery, your plastic surgeon may have recommendations to help you prepare, such as weight loss, smoking cessation, or seeking treatment for untreated health conditions. Each person is an individual, so covering all the possibilities in one article is impossible.

Charlotte Plastic Surgery has had the privilege of treating members of the Charlotte community who want a breast lift, breast reduction, breast augmentation, or a range of other cosmetic procedures. We take pride in fusing technical skills, patient care, and our keen aesthetic sense for the best results possible. Whether you want a breast lift as part of a mommy makeover or just because you are unhappy with your current appearance, we are here to help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.