Breast lift surgery is a cosmetic surgery to lift and tone the breasts that have started to sag as a result of gravity, loss of skin elasticity and other aspects such as pregnancy, breast-feeding and weight loss.
This type of surgery is also referred to as Mastopexy.
As with other types of surgery, a breast lift will first require you to undergo a series of tests and answer some questions from your plastic surgeon.
Your surgeon will try to find out whether you're a good candidate for the surgery or not.
You'll often be regarded as a good candidate for the procedure if your breasts lack firmness or substance, your breasts are pendulous, and the areolas and nipples face downward particularly if they are below the breast crease.
Of course, your surgeon will take other considerations as well, such as your current breast shape and size, your age, pregnancy, breast feeding, your weight loss plans (breasts can become smaller with weight loss), and your medical history.
The surgery may be conducted in an office-based surgical suite, a hospital, or a free-standing ambulatory facility.
You will be given medications for your comfort and usually a general anesthetic so that you will be sleeping throughout the whole process.
On the other hand, you may be administered with a local anesthesia and intravenous sedation.
The results vary from patient to patient but the ideal outcome is often firmer, more uplifted breasts and an improved placement and appearance of the areolas and nipples.
As with other surgeries, breast lift surgery carries some risks, including a negative response to anesthesia, infection, blood build-up and alterations in breast sensation or nipple.
The costs differ widely mainly based on the surgeon's methods, experience and office location.