Breast Lift Before And After Without Implants

At [company name], we understand that your body is important to you. You take care of it every day, and you want to do everything in your power to maintain its health and beauty. That’s why we offer breast lifts and reductions without implants as an option for our patients.

Breast lifts are incredibly popular procedures—and for good reason. They can help women who have lost volume in their breasts, or whose breasts have sagged over time due to factors like pregnancy or breastfeeding. By removing excess skin and fat tissue from beneath the breasts, a surgeon can restore their youthful shape and contour.

Breast reductions are also popular because they can help women who suffer from back pain due to large breasts. By removing excess fat tissue from around the cleavage area, surgeons can reduce the size of the patient’s breasts while still retaining their shape. This means that patients won’t have to worry about losing fullness in their upper body after surgery!

In this article, we’ll also consider breast lift scars and breast lift Sydney.

Breast Lift Before And After Without Implants

Believe it or not, not every woman who seeks out a breast lift does so for larger breasts. In fact, women often decide to get a breast lift without implants because they’re unhappy with the position or shape of their breasts.

There’s no denying the fact that a woman’s body goes through many changes throughout her life. From pregnancy and breastfeeding to weight gain, weight loss, and the natural aging process, breasts can go from firm and perky to saggy and deflated in no time. Fortunately, many women have experienced great success with breast lift procedures. Not only are they performed without having to insert implants, but the procedure helps restore breasts to their original, more youthful position.

Let’s take a look at five pros and five cons associated with breast lift procedures without implants.

Breast Lift Without Implants Pros

  1. When a breast lift is performed, the breasts will be repositioned and excess skin will be removed so that the breasts rest higher up on the chest. Lifts also help make stretched nipples appear smaller. Overall, a normal breast lift surgery will restore the breasts’ youthful appearance without the need for implants.
  2. Women can also expect to see some firming of the breasts without implants as well.
  3. Breast lifts may help women find relief from back pain and poor posture. In addition, they can improve overall spinal health. Implants will only add more weight.
  4. Breast lifts without implants cost less.
  5. Women do not need to worry about eventually changing out a breast implant with another procedure if they just get a lift.

Breast Lift Without Implants Cons

  1. Breast lifts alone will not add extra cleavage to breasts. This is accomplished through implants.
  2. Breast implants help retain volume and curves to breasts with aging while breast lifts do not.
  3. Women who already have implants who are seeking to get them removed and get a lift will see a loss of volume and previous shape.
  4. Sometimes women do have second thoughts about going smaller or bigger with breast surgery. If you’re on the fence, electing to get breast implants with a breast lift will save you time, money, and extra scarring in the long-term.
  5. Breast implants allow for more shape and contouring options than just a breast lift alone. Your body’s unique form factor will determine this to some degree, but implants really are just tools to help shape the chest.

Breast Lift without Implants (Mastopexy) Melbourne

Breast lift surgery without implants, medically known as a Mastopexy procedure, aims to restore your breasts to a firmer, higher position on the chest wall. Dr Craig Rubinstein is a top specialist plastic surgeon in Melbourne and a Breast Lift Expert.

A Breast lift or Mastopexy procedure removes excess skin in and around the breast which has been stretched due to pregnancy, ageing or weight fluctuation. This surgical procedure is a good option if you are generally happy with your breast proportions and cup size, but aren’t happy with the way your breasts sit on your torso due to breast droop or sagging (ptosis).

Disadvantages of Breast Lift Surgery

What is Breast Ptosis?

Breast Ptosis or ptotic breasts is the name for drooping or sagging breasts. In cases of breast ptosis, nipples may begin to droop downward, and surrounding breast tissue may have lost skin elasticity and firmness, causing breast sagging and nipple drooping. There are varying medically recognised degrees of ptosis and these will determine the kind of procedure you will require.

The 3 Grades of Breast Ptosis are:

  •  I – mild ptosis occurs when the areola is either in front of or slightly over the inframammary crease.
  •  II – mild to moderate ptosis occurs when the centre of the areola is close to 3cm below the inframammary crease.
  • III – severe ptosis occurs when the areola is more than 3cm below the inframammary crease.

Further, there are different conditions that can cause ptosis, or look similar to ptosis. These include:

  • Ptosis – the medical term for when the breasts sag far enough that the nipple and areola are out of position relative to the breast crease
  • Empty Sac Syndrome – the breasts have lost their fullness due to age, genetics or breastfeeding. The nipple/areola are also in the incorrect position
  • Pseudoptosis – where the breast is lacking fullness. Your breasts may appear full below the nipples and areola but not above

What Causes Ptosis?

There are a number of reasons that can cause breasts to droop. These include:

  • Gravity
  • Skin aging
  • Pregnancy
  • Weight fluctuations
  • Breastfeeding
  • Genetic or hereditary factors

Breast ptosis is a condition that will affect all women as they age, to varying degrees, depending on a combination of the issues above, as well as overall health.

To view some of Dr Rubinstein’s previous breast lift patients, please go to the full breast lift gallery.

Are You a Good Candidate for a Breast Lift?

While it is best to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to decide the best method to improve your breast appearance, there are a couple of questions you can ask yourself to get a general idea about how breast lift surgery can help to improve the shape and position of your breasts:

  • Have your breasts drooped significantly after pregnancy or weight loss?
  • Are your nipples enlarged or over-stretched from breastfeeding?
  • Has having droopy, sagging cleavage or stretched-out looking breast skin caused a significant change in your self-confidence?
  • Are your nipples pointing downwards?
  • Has age or gravity caused your breasts to sag?

Patients who are Ideal Candidates for Mastopexy Surgery

  • Breasts have lost their shape and volume, are flatter or elongated shape over time
  • When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease or point downwards
  • Your breast tissue is stretched and you have enlarged areolas
  • One breast is lower than the other
  • You have realistic expectations of your outcome
  • You are willing to do the pre-surgery preparation and post-op healing protocols (following your Surgeon’s healing recommendations for best Breast Lift Surgery results)

Consulting with a highly experienced, specialist plastic surgeon such as Dr Craig Rubinstein will help you to better understand the right procedure for you to get the results you want, whilst maintaining realistic expectations of your surgery outcome.

Four Incision patterns for Breast Lift without Implants Surgery

There are a variety of techniques recognised for augmentation mastopexy. Each has its merits and limitations. In Australia, these can include:

1. The Crescent Breast Lift

This is a simple breast lift procedure that corrects only mild ptosis. Your surgeon only removes a small crescent of tissue above the areola before raising the nipple into a higher position. This form of lift is rarely performed as women seeking remedies for moderate to severe ptosis are looking for a solution to drooping for the entire breast mound, not just the areola area.

2. The Benelli Breast Lift

Also known as a “Doughnut Lift” the Benelli breast lift is best used for mild to moderate ptosis. This is generally around Grade I-II on the ptosis scale. The surgeon removes a doughnut-shaped piece of tissue from around the areola before reattaching it to the remaining tissue to your areola. However, this procedure can have some higher risks to nipple function or sensation.

3. The Anchor Breast Lift

The Anchor Breast Lift or ‘Robbins technique’ Breast Lift has a large incision that is shaped like an Anchor. This is the classical technique used in Australia.

4. The Lollipop or LeJour Lift

The LeJour or ‘Lollipop Lift’ provides more lift than the Benelli, especially for those with moderate ptosis. Dr Craig removes a doughnut-shaped piece of tissue, similar to the Benelli lift. However, in addition to this, a straight incision is made down to the breast crease to provide more lift. This more modern method of performing the breast lift is Dr Craig’s preferred technique as it has a smaller scar and, unlike the anchor lift,  no horizontal scar under the breast.

How is Breast Lift Surgery Performed?

The decision to have surgery is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if breast lift risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Dr Craig Rubinstein only operates in accredited hospitals, using board-certified anesthesiologists to ensure that patient safety, comfort and post-surgical pain management is always a priority.

Dr Rubinstein highly recommends that you stop smoking at least 4 weeks prior to surgery, as well as refrain from taking any aspirin products up to a week before surgery. Patients will not be able to consume food or drink after midnight on the evening prior to surgery.

The necessary incisions will be made, guided by measurements and markings that were previously meticulously mapped out by your surgeon, to lift and reshape the underlying breast tissue, reposition your nipple and areola and remove any excess skin.

Finally, your surgeon will layer sutures deep within the tissue to support your breasts and close the skin using more sutures.

You must always remember that results vary from patient to patient and maintaining a high level of communication with your specialist plastic surgeon is key to understanding the possible outcomes of your procedure.

Dr Craig Rubinstein will generally recommend you spend 1-2 nights in the hospital, allowing you to rest and recover while having access to medical professionals and your surgeon as needed.

Breast Lift without Implants Worth It

Comparison – Breast Lift with Implants vs Breast Lift without Implants?
Do I need implants as well?

Generally, a mastopexy procedure is recommended for women who are happy with the size and shape of their breasts but not with the position.

Mastopexy simply firms and lifts the breasts on the chest wall. However, a mastopexy cannot improve lost breast volume – especially upper pole fullness – for that you may need implants.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy) surgery can:

  • Help restore nipples to a more natural position on the breast
  • Reposition breasts on chest wall
  • Tighten breast skin and tissue
  • Resize the areola

However, if you are also unhappy with your breast volume, then it is recommended you consider a breast lift with implants (augmentation mastopexy).

The Mastopexy Augmentation procedure allows you to fill out the missing breast tissue with a breast implant for upper pole fullness or additional fat transfer.

The choice between these surgeries is based on existing breast tissue, skin health and elasticity, and your outcome preference in regards to size, shape, and position.

As a result, it is best to discuss the appropriate surgery in your surgical consultation.

Recovery after Breast Lift without Implants Surgery

After your breast lift surgery, you will be given specific post-operative instructions to follow. It is important to follow these instructions to aid your recovery and surgical results. You can expect some swelling and scarring but these should reduce over time.

Post-operative swelling, soreness and other associated discomfort may last for about 6 weeks but this can vary from patient to patient. Pain levels will also vary from patient to patient and Dr Rubinstein will work with you to create an individualised pain management plan.

Visible bruising should begin to subside within 2 weeks.

When Can I Return to Work After a Breast Lift?

Returning to work can also vary from patient to patient. Many patients can return to work after 1-2 weeks, depending on the kind of work you do. However, you should avoid rigorous activity for at least 3 weeks or more and wait to begin exercising until your surgeon has cleared you to do so. It is also incredibly important to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous work until you are fully recovered as activities like this can affect your pain levels, healing and recovery time.

Long term results after Breast Lift Surgery

How are Breast Lift Scars Minimised?

All surgery leaves scars, including plastic surgery procedures like a breast lift. However experienced surgeons like Dr Rubinstein are extremely careful about scar placement and minimisation, with surgical scars generally fading over time. Dr Rubinstein’s team also conducts follow-up scar treatments using special lasers and Healite II to minimise your scars,  Most scars are typically barely visible after 12 months.

How Long Will a Breast Lift Last?

The results of a mastopexy procedure vary from patient to patient. When performed by one of Australia’s top plastic surgeons, like Dr Craig Rubinstein, breast lift results can last a long time. However, your results are dependent on a number of factors, such as the effects of having children or weight fluctuations. However, for women who keep a stable weight over time, the results may last for decades.

Cost of a Breast Lift without Implants

The cost of a breast lift can vary based on a number of factors including what you need to have performed, the surgeon you choose and which hospital you choose to have your operation, etc.

Often websites that post the estimated cost of a breast lift surgery do NOT include all the related and necessary expenses. As a result, you may end up paying more than you expected.

Dr Rubinstein never recommends shopping for low-cost surgery as it is unlikely that a FRACS level plastic surgeon will be performing the procedure. It is important to do your research before deciding on a plastic surgeon for your chosen procedure. Further, revision surgery is costly and is not guaranteed to fix the issue you experienced with your initial surgery if you chose to explore cheaper surgical options. It is always important to pursue plastic surgery based on skill, not cost.

Breast Lift Scars

As your incisions heal after surgery, your scars will initially appear as raised, red lines. They will eventually fade, flatten, and lighten to become even less visible. Everyone heals differently, but it’s important to know that you may have some faint remaining scarring on your breast. 

Breast Lift Sydney

Natural factors most often contribute to a woman developing sagging breasts. For example, a woman’s breasts can change dramatically after childbirth and breastfeeding or simply due to the effects of gravity and ageing. In some cases, underlying muscle tone and structure is weak. Whatever the causes of breast ptosis (another name for sagging), a breast lift can help.

ARE ALL BREAST LIFTS THE SAME?

Not at all. Dr Choy understands that each patient is different. Every woman has a unique anatomy, and the look she desires will also be unique. Therefore, Dr Choy considers all these factors carefully before recommending a course of treatment to satisfy his patient’s concerns, and he ensures that he and his client fully agree on the treatment plan before proceeding.

In many cases, excess and stretched skin is removed and remaining tissue reshaped, and the nipple and areola are also repositioned, creating an aesthetically pleasing and youthful appearance.  In the hands of a skilled surgeon like Dr Choy, the breast lift procedure is tailored to each patient’s individual needs.

REASONS TO OPT FOR A BREAST LIFT

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM A CANDIDATE FOR A BREAST LIFT?

Women may begin considering surgical options, such as a breast lift, for several reasons, many of which are both natural and unavoidable. A breast lift surgery can address a variety of concerns. While dramatic improvement is possible, realistic expectations of surgical outcomes are also important.

  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: For many women, pregnancy is accompanied by unwanted changes to their breast shape. Breasts that have stretched or sagged can be restored, with or without implants.
  • Counteracting weight loss changes: Weight gain is coupled with increased fatty tissue. Weight loss is the reverse, often resulting in breasts that lose volume and firmness. A breast lift can restore proportion by removing excess skin.
  • Sagging breasts at a young age: For some women, muscle tone is not strong and breasts can begin drooping even during their teenage years. A breast lift can help address this.

WHAT IF I HAVE OTHER CONCERNS WITH MY BREASTS?

A breast lift can address many other concerns. For example, nipples that point downward are often a symptom of breast sagging, but one which a breast lift can correct. In this case, breast tissue can be repositioned to create more forward-facing nipples. The nipple and areola can be elevated so they do not sit lower than the crease underneath the breast.

A breast lift can also offer improvement for asymmetrical breasts, creating a more balanced and pleasing appearance. It’s important to note, however, that the great majority of women have one breast slightly larger than the other, and surgery isn’t always advisable, or even necessary, in these cases. Dr Choy can help you decide whether surgery is warranted in your particular case.

WHAT MAKES A BREAST LIFT DIFFERENT THAN A BREAST AUGMENTATION?

A breast augmentation surgery and a breast lift surgery are different procedures with different goals.

To clarify the differences between these two unique surgical techniques, a breast augmentation will enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breasts and will often include an implant, while a breast lift will improve the position of the breast only, without an implant being inserted.

Specifically, a breast lift will improve breast ptosis or sagging of a woman’s breasts. A woman can determine if she has breast sagging if a pencil placed under the breast fold will stay in place, or if her nipple hangs below the pencil. Women with these symptoms are likely candidates for a breast lift.

THE KINDS OF BREAST LIFT PROCEDURES

Breast lifts are highly customisable to a woman’s needs. For example, there are several incision techniques used in breast lifts that can target and improve specific concerns a woman has. After careful consideration, Dr Choy will inform you of the most suitable option or options for you. Here are the most common breast lift incision types:

SOME BREAST LIFT PROCEDURES

There are several incision techniques used in breast lifts. After careful consideration Dr Choy will inform you of the most suitable option.

  • Anchor Lift: Used in situations of considerable sagging, an ‘Anchor’ or Inverted T lift removes sagging tissues and excess skin. Three incisions are made: around the areola edge, from the areola to breast crease, and along the breast crease inframammary fold.
  • Crescent Lift: An incision is made at the top edge of the areola. This technique is useful for correcting minimal sagging.
  • Peri-Areolar Lift: Also known as a ‘Donut’ Lift, this method corrects mild sagging. An incision is made around the areola, with any scarring barely noticeable as it traces the areola edge.
  • Vertical ‘Lollipop’ Lift: In this variant, two incisions are made. One around the areola and another from the areola to the inframammary fold. This method is often used when extensive shaping is required.

The type and place of your incision will affect the final costs of your breast lift surgery, and Dr Choy can go over those with you in detail once the needs of your surgery have been determined.

RECOVERY FROM A BREAST LIFT

Recovering from a breast lift is similar to recovering from a breast augmentation with implants. You can return home soon afterward to recover in the comfort of your own home. Many patients can also return to work or regular activities within a week or two, although heavy lifting and strenuous activity should be delayed a while longer (typically at least six weeks).

Immediately after surgery, women will typically experience some pain and swelling. These are natural and normal side effects of all surgeries, not necessarily an indication of problems. These symptoms can be controlled with medications that Dr Choy will prescribe to you before surgery.