Is 32 too young to get a breast lift?

Question

Im borderline on needing a lift and concerned that's it's too much to go through at my age when my breasts are pretty "average". Is 32 too young to get a lift if it's not absolutely necessary? Will I loose sensation in my nipples or be at increased risk for necrosis if I have another lift when I'm older?

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @SparkleMotion thank you for your question. It is not necessary to be a certain age in order to undergo a breast lift or other type of plastic surgery. In my opinion, the most appropriate age to have surgery is when the person feels that they need it. It is possible to preserve the sensation in the breasts if the surgeon that performs the procedure has the experience and technique to prevent losing the vascularization of the nipple during the procedure, which means that sensitivity can be maintained both in the first as well as in the second surgery if there is a need for it. Please find attached a video that discusses this topic and could shed a little more light on it. For more information and recommendations, it is best to consult with one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding whether age 32 is too young for a breast lift. Regarding your question, if your breasts bother you, please proceed with the consultation. Your age is not a contour indication of having surgery. I've performed breast lifts on younger patients. Also, no one is getting any younger, so if you have the procedure now, you will probably be healthier now than in the future. There is a meager chance that you will lose nipple sensitivity. The instance is perhaps less than one percent. This percentage depends on your surgeon's experience and the procedure you decide to undergo. Maybe, your breast lift would be a crescent, periareolar, 360 periareolar, lollipop, or anchor. Each breast lift has its incidence of potential loss of nipple sensation. It is true if you. Need a repeat breast lift when you're older; there is an increased chance of necrosis. So, I suggest you have the procedure done now instead of when you are older. 
If you have any more questions regarding the breast lift or mastopexy, capsular contracture, or breast implants in general, please contact my office.  Since your breast surgery is somewhat complex for an average plastic surgeon, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of breast lifts. Do your research.  Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 breast lifts.  Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.  Good luck! Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of  the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery,  and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Christopher Pannucci, MD, MS · Answer

Hi SparkleMotion,
One thing to consider is the potential of pregnancy. At age 32, some women have finished having children, while other has just started. I definitely suggest waiting to have an elective lift until after you are finished to having children, as the breasts are expected to engorge with milk, stretching out the breast support system as well as the skin itself.
Age 32 is not too young to get a lift, in the appropriate circumstances.
You correctly note that a revision or second lift does place the nipple at increased risk of necrosis. the expectation is that a lift should be durable over time. The things that would decrease the durability or longevity of a lift would include unexpected pregnancy or unexpected weight gain or loss. Ideally, you would be at a stable weight, and finished having children before pursuing your breast lift surgery.
Hope this helps.
Best,Christopher Pannucci MDBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgery NorthwestSpokane, Washington

Tommaso Addona, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.
Without photos or proper evaluation, it is difficult to say. Generally speaking, age is not a determinate when it comes to determining if a mastopexy is necessary. I recommend speaking with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options and for a full evaluation.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and be measured. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. They then get to choose what looks right for them. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Mildly Sagging Breasts: If your breasts are mildly droopy, a saline or silicone gel implant placed behind the pectoral muscle might help create the illusion of perkiness. That’s because as the implant fills out the top of the breast, it also fills out the bottom, making it look as if the nipple has moved higher. It hasn’t. You can always get a lift later if you feel you are not perky enough when fully settled and healed. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

If you are in the borderline to get one means your saggy breast degree is 1rst-2nd degree. 
You must understand that in order to have a lift of breast tissue and nipple-areola complex it is necessary to tighten the internal tissues and not only skin, so there is a risk to end up with issues to breastfeeding in the future. 
I have done this procedure in very young patients who have lost 100-200 lbs and the lift is absolutely needed, and have observed a great improvement on their QoL. 
So it is decision based on what you want to achieve, acceptance of at least a Lollipop scar, the risk of not breastfeeding. 
Perfection is never achievable and either 100% simmetry. And the results won’t last forever. 
Be encouraged. 
Dr. Cárdenas

Salvador Medina, MD · Answer

Age is not an indication of needing a breast lift or not. It depends entirely on your breast shape, size and the location of the nipple. There are different techniques for a breast lift, that can go from a scar around the areola, to an inverted T. Also age is not an indication of the probability of having complications like necrosis. Se we need to do a full evaluation to determine the best option for you!!.
Dr. Salvador Medina

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

There is not right or wrong age to get a lift. However if you haven’t had children and are planning to it may be best to wait.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear SparkleMotion,
my preferred lift is a lollipop lift when a periareolar won't do (ie greater than 2cm lift required). The lollipop technique was created by a Canadian plastic surgeon named Elizabeth Hall-Findley and treats the breast as a three dimensional structure instead of two dimensions (anchor - lift). Most importantly it does not require the horizontal component scars that the anchor-lift requires and breasts appear much more natural, lifted, and less boxy. Lastly, the lift lasts longer because the lollipop doesn't rely on the skin to hold the breast up, its actually breast tissue thats being brought together to support the breast and hence improves longevity. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Norman M. Rowe, MD · Answer

No, breast lifts are frequently done on patients both younger and older than you.  Loss of sensation is a risk anytime we operate on the breast. The majority of women who have breasts lifts and reductions are able to maintain their nipple sensation. Having multiple procedures on the breast does increase the risks associated with the nipple, like sensation, but again, the majority of women do well.

Is 32 too young to get a breast lift?

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