We find that when some people think of a breast uplift (mastopexy) there is often some confusion with this treatment and breast implants. In fact, the two are very different procedures that offer equally different results. You may be suited for either treatment or both depending on your own specific case.
If you want to lift your breasts so that your natural breasts appear perkier and your nipples sit straight rather than drooping down, then a breast lift will likely provide you with excellent results.
Breast lifts are designed to combat these modifying elements and return lowered breasts to their natural position, or otherwise lift them so that they are supported in a more desirable position.
At New Birkdale Clinic, our breast surgeons can guide you through the benefits of a mastopexy (breast lift) and help you gauge whether the treatment is right for you, how long does breast lift last and what you can expect your results to look like.
Breast lift vs implants
There are many differences between a breast lift and breast implants, the main one being that breast lifts do not involve the insertion of any implant into the breast.
With a breast lift, you are limited to an extent by your current amount of breast tissue, fat and muscle because you are working solely with what you already have. Whereas breast implants can increase the size of your breasts and change their shape.
A breast lift procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and will take up to two hours to complete which is slightly longer than the procedure for breast implant. It may also be possible for you to leave the clinic on the same day as your treatment.
There are other substitutes for breast lifts, although they may not be as reliable or long lasting. For example, there are other procedures to provide the effect of a breast lift such as breast tightening cream. However, breast tightening cream side effects may make this an unsuitable solution for you.
Breast Lift Without Implants
If you have experienced some degree of ptosis (sagging or drooping, in this case referring to the breasts) yet retained some breast volume then you may be eligible for breast lift surgery without the need to include implants.
This is when the only action that a breast surgeon makes is the removal of excess breast skin and tissue to allow the breasts to sit in a more desirable, perkier, position.
There are a number of reasons why an eligible patient should consider this form of surgery.
First of all, there are a large number of patients who do not want increased volume in their breasts, or a change in shape. Instead, they simply wish for their natural breasts to be positioned as they previously were before factors like age, weight fluctuations, or pregnancy took their toll.
Secondly, breast lifts without implants cost less than surgeries including implants. This is understandable as the surgery can be completed quicker, and there is no need to pay for the implants themselves.
In addition to this also comes the fact that you will not have to pay for implant replacements down the line. Breast implants have a finite lifespan, and at some point they will need to be replaced to maintain their optimal aesthetics – something that you will not have to worry about if you do not receive an implant in the first place.
How long does a mastopexy without implants last
A mastopexy surgery without implants will usually have results that last for up to 15 years post-surgery.
If you do receive breast implants, we advise that your implants may need replacing around 10 years post-surgery, so therefore it may be possible to see longer-lasting results by electing to undergo a mastopexy without any implants.
However, these are general guidelines, and every patient will experience different results due to their own body shape, genetics, and personal lifestyle. All that you can do is follow your surgeon’s advice as best as you can, and this advice will be made clear to you both at your initial consultation and after your surgery.
Scars after a breast lift with no implants
Patients receiving breast lift surgery without breast implants will, in most cases, receive a lollipop surgical technique.
This is a popular method of performing a breast lift surgery as it results in a small amount of scarring and only utilises incisions necessary for the breast lift to be effective.
In short, there are four different incisions that can be made depending on what type of mastopexy you are having:
- An incision near the top of the areola
- An incision around the areola
- A vertical incision from the bottom of the areola to the breast fold
- A horizontal incision along the breast fold
A lollipop breast lift involves creating an incision around the areola and a vertical incision to the breast fold. This results in the creation of breast lift scars that are easily hidden by underwear.
More information on scars after breast lifts can be found here, and you can see examples of some of our breast lift with no implant pictures here.
Breast lift at a leading clinic
If a breast lift sounds like it would be the right treatment for you, then please contact us at The New Birkdale Clinic to begin your treatment journey and make the first steps to achieving your dream breasts.
Our surgeons are well-versed in performing this sought-after treatment and we pride ourselves on the high standards that we put into every stage of the process from the initial consultation to the after care.
