You may be a good candidate for breast lift based upon your description.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA
A breast lift is a procedure that removes excess skin of the breast and moves the nipple areolar complex (NAC) upward to a new position on the chest wall. It does not remove the NAC, so theoretically all feeling, sensation, blood supply and the ability to breast feed is maintained. The operation will make the breast more "perky", reduce the size of the areola (the color around the nipple) if needed, and make the breasts more symmetrical in size and shape. All women's breasts are shaped differently, therefore there are many different types of breast lift procedures available to choose from:Concentric or donut mastopexy (incision only around the NAC)Vertical incision, balloon or lollipop mastopexy (incision around the NAC and and a vertical incision running straight down from the 6:00 position of the areola)Anchor incision mastopexy (incision around the NAC, vertical incision and a horizontal incision all the way under the breast in the crease)Any of the above incision choices combined with a breast implant (saline or silicone, above or below the muscle)Breast implant alone, above the muscle, preferably silicone, used to fill up loose skin only, no skin is removedThe choice will depend on the consultation performed with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and the wishes and desires of the patient. Some people are more tolerant of scars than others. Some patients are looking for volume only and some are looking for shape only. Detailed measurements need to be made, photographs taken and evaluation of hundreds of before and after pictures of other women who have had similar type procedures and who's body build is similar.A breast lift procedure can be performed as an outpatient under a general or sedation type anesthetic. The blood loss is minimal and the recovery time is about one week. It is not a particularly painful procedure, however, when and implant is added, the recovery and post operative pain is more substantial. The price will vary from city to city and which type of lift, but typical prices will range between $4,900 and $10,000 american dollars.A final decision should be based on the feedback from your in person consultation.Good Luck!
