Why do breast lifts post-op look square? (Photo)

Question

I’ve seen multiple breast lifts but I realised that they look quite boxy. After a while do they take form or is that how they we be permanently.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear kitta,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. Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

This is not uncommon after a breast lift, it takes a few months for them to settle, just be patient and continue to follow  up with your PS to discuss your concerns.best wishes.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,They do not have to look square. Go visit a few ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeons who specialize in breast surgery. Best of luck!

John J. Corey, MD · Answer

I think sometimes too much tissue is left at the bottom of the breast following a lift. That is one reason why I prefer the Brazilian type of lift that gets rid of a lot of that bottom tissue. I feel that way the implant gives more roundness rather than tissue that drops back down and looks Square.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

The adequate amount of skin needs to be excised in order to shape the breast correctly.  A boxy shape results from insufficient skin removed lateral and medial to the midline.  If this happens, many times a small revision in the office corrects this.

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

This is not unusual in the first couple of months. Massage of the scars will help the breast to drop into the new skin envelope and this should settle.

Johnson C. Lee, MD · Answer

Post-op square breasts can occur in most patients due to the way the skin is redraped over the breast mounds in a lift. Often times, as the swelling decreases and tissue softens, the breast round out on their own. Sometimes the tissue distribution is less than ideal and they stay boxy. These patients would benefit from a lift that rotates the tissue from the bottom upwards to the top of the breast to recreate a round look. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD 
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
IG: @drjohnsonlee

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

The "boxy" breast is one of the potential downsides of certain breast lift and reduction techniques that leave pendulous, hanging lower breast tissue unsupported in the bottom of the breast. Additionally, the proper amount of skin removal, in balance with tissue shaping, is important in order to get a rounder shape. Heavier patients sometimes are hard to get rounder shapes for, due in part to excess tissue that extends around the sides or bulges at the upper part of the breast near the armpit. Revision of your breast lift may be considered if you are not happy with the shape; be sure to bring operative records and pre-breast lift before pictures with you if you see a different surgeon.

Jorge Jiménez Toribio, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for your question.
After a lifting it is normal to take a deformed appearance in some cases depending on the technique used, generally after about 3 to 4 months they look their normal shape. You must be patient and wait for the tissue to deflate and reorganize.
Dr. Jiménez ToribioPlastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Ben Brown, MD (license emergency restriction) · Answer

In the photos you have posted it appears the patient may have actually have had a breast reduction (where tissue is removed and the nipple-areola-complex is raised) rather than just a standard lift/mastopexy (where usually no breast tissue is removed, and instead just the nipple-areola-complex is raised). Either way, post operatively patient's may appear "boxy" depending on what surgical approach is used. For breast reduction patients one of the most common reasons for looking boxy post-operatively and even over time "bottoming out" is that the inferior part of the breast tissue is not removed. The most common way to prevent this is having a superior-medial pedicle type reduction performed, in which the superior and medial portion of the breast tissue is left intact, and the inferior and lateral tissue is removed, helping minimize the appearance of post operative boxy appearance.

Why do breast lifts post-op look square? (Photo)

Answers (10)

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