Breast lifts help firm and lift the breasts so that they appear more perky. This procedure removes excess skin and a small amount of breast tissue to improve the shape of the breasts.
Women who get breast lifts are often eager to see the results of surgery. After all, who wouldn’t be excited to finally have the lifted, perky breasts you have been wanting for so long? While you will notice a dramatic improvement in the shape of the breasts immediately after surgery, it can take a while for breasts to settle into their final shape.
Patience is key, but don’t worry. The final results will gradually take shape over the coming months. Once they have finished settling into their final position, your new breasts will appear much more perky and lifted than they were before surgery.
Today we will discuss how breast shape changes over the first year after breast lift surgery. You’ll also be able to view breast lift progress from a real patient in a video update at one month, three months, six months and one year after surgery.
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Types of breast lifts
Different types of breast lifts achieve a varying amount of lift and firmness. Each patient is unique, and there are different types of breast lifts to suit every need. Many of the breast lifts Dr. Beldholm performs can be done alongside a breast augmentation (implants) to restore lost fullness or increase the size of your breasts.
These are the 5 types of breast lifts:
- Scarless lift: Using electric currents or ultrasound technology, this minimally-invasive breast lift improves mild sagging by firming the breast tissue. Unlike more invasive breast lifts, the breasts settle into their final shape fastest with this method.
- Crescent lift: Mild breast sagging is improved by making a crescent-shaped incision above the areola to lift and tighten the breast. It can still take up to one year to see results, but since there is less tissue damage, the breasts will settle more quickly since there is less swelling than more invasive techniques.
- Donut lift: A donut lift is just what it sounds like. A donut-shaped incision is made around the nipple, removing breast tissue and lifting the breast. This method causes moderate tissue damage, so there is more swelling than with the aforementioned techniques.
- Lollipop lift: This is one of the most popular breast lifts available. It works by making a key-hole shaped incision and removing excess skin and breast tissue to correct moderate breast sagging. Breasts will settle into their final shape over one year.
- Anchor lift: The anchor lift is the most invasive breast lift option because it removes the most loose skin and breast tissue. It leaves an anchor-shaped scar. Because more tissue is removed, healing may take longer than other methods. It takes up to one year to see final results.
Breast lift results change over time
Initially, breasts will look perkiest and most full right after surgery due to swelling. While it is nice to see, the breasts will settle down over time as the swelling subsides. Your new breasts will take 12 months to settle into their final shape. The goal is not to have the perkiest breasts possible. It is to have a breast shape that is appropriate for your body type and natural-looking breasts that are nice and lifted.
What causes swelling?
Swelling is caused by inflammation. Breast surgery, like all cosmetic surgery, causes tissue damage that takes time to heal. Swelling is the body’s response to trauma. Prostaglandins in the body trigger swelling after surgery.
While fluid buildup and inflammation are expected after surgery, it can cause discomfort. Luckily, tissue swelling is not permanent. Most of the swelling will subside over the first few weeks after surgery. It can take six months to one year for all the swelling to go away, revealing the final breast shape.
How to reduce breast lift swelling?
Breast lift swelling gets better every day. While you may be anxious to see breast lift results soon after surgery, it takes time for the body to resolve swelling on its own. To speed healing, it is important to rest so that your immune system can focus its energy on repairing damaged tissue. Quitting smoking (and staying smoke-free) before and after surgery can also help. Drinking plenty of water and healthy eating promote healing as well.
The most important thing you can do is relax and give it time for the breast to take their final shape. The body does wonders to reduce swelling naturally.
While NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may reduce swelling, they can cause serious complications if you take them too soon before or after surgery. Ask your surgeon when it is safe to start taking NSAIDs for swelling. This is very important because the side effects can be life-threatening.