Category: Breast Lift

This blog discusses the factors that cause breast sagging, how long breast lift surgery results last, and how to make them last longer.

3 Min Read:

Table of Contents

• Want Perky Breasts? Try a Breast Lift
• How to Make Your Breast Lift Last Longer
  • What Causes the Breasts to Sag?
  • Timing Your Breast Lift
• Will I Need Another Breast Lift in the Future?
• When Will I See My Complete Breast Lift Results?
• Want to Learn More About Breast Lift Surgery in Pasadena, CA?

Want Perky Breasts? Try a Breast Lift

Perky, well-shaped breasts are something of a feminine ideal: your clothes fit better, you feel more confident in bathing suits and in intimate moments, and you feel a little more youthful and vibrant. But gravity, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy can all take their toll on the breasts, causing unwanted changes to their shape and volume.

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is the cosmetic procedure that treats common issues with sagging breasts: loose skin, hanging breast tissue, downward-pointing or stretched nipples. This procedure works wonders to lift the breast tissue higher on the chest wall, and can even include nipple repositioning. But nothing lasts forever, and gravity will continue to take its toll. So, how long does a breast lift really last?

How to Make Your Breast Lift Last Longer

No plastic or cosmetic procedure can stop the natural aging process, nor can they stop natural changes to the body after pregnancy or weight loss. However, a breast lift can last 10 years or more, depending on a few factors.

What Causes the Breasts to Sag?

As we age, the skin and tissues begin to lose elasticity and collagen, contributing to ptosis, or sagging of the skin. This can be compounded by long-term weight, i.e., heavy breasts are likely to sag or stretch the skin faster than lighter ones.

Other factors include physical weight fluctuations due to pregnancy or weight loss. During pregnancy, the breasts swell, causing the skin to stretch. After breastfeeding, however, this volume is depleted, often resulting in a sagging or deflated appearance. Similarly, losing a significant amount of fat quickly can also reduce the size of the breasts, leaving them less shapely than before. Naturally, you’ll want to avoid these changes after your breast lift; otherwise, a secondary procedure may be necessary.

Timing Your Breast Lift

Sometimes with cosmetic surgery, it’s important to schedule your procedure for optimum effect, especially with procedures that combat the aging process, like a breast lift. If you have it done too early, it might be reversed by lifestyle factors or the natural aging process.

To ensure you get the most out of your breast lift, we recommend the following:

• Wait until you are confident you are done having children. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and hormone fluctuations all can easily counteract your breast lift results.
• Try to maintain a stable weight after your procedure. Losing weight rapidly causes the skin to stretch and may result in more ptosis.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating well, avoiding alcohol and nicotine, and protecting your skin from excess sun damage can all help preserve the skin’s elasticity, which is crucial for maintaining your breast lift results for as long as possible.

Will I Need Another Breast Lift in the Future?

This depends on a number of factors, but most patients who take care of their breasts and listen to all recovery instructions do not need a secondary procedure. Again, it does depend on when you have your breast lift. For example, if you are finished having children by 30 years old and have a breast lift, your breasts will eventually begin to age again, and you may see some ptosis around age 50, but it’s up to you if you want to undergo another procedure.

When Will I See My Complete Breast Lift Results?

Immediately after your breast lift, you’ll notice a change. Your breasts may feel a little lighter, tighter, and certainly higher up on the chest. You’ll have a compression garment on most of the time throughout recovery, but when you take it off, you’ll be able to see early changes.

The primary culprit that hides the final results is swelling. This procedure removes excess fat if necessary, lifts and reshapes the actual breast tissue, and removes excess skin. It’s not a simple procedure by any means, so your body has some healing to do! Most patients can see the final results of their breasts once swelling begins to subside, usually between four and six weeks post-operative.

However, your final results will take a bit longer, as you’ll have scars to take care of. Depending on the location of your incisions (which relates to the level of revision necessary, i.e., the amount of sagging), your scars may be more visible in the early days. Once your incisions heal, you can begin scar treatment with ointments or silicone sheets to help flatten and lighten the scars.

After about one month, you’ll see the final shape and position of the breasts, as they’ll be higher on the chest, with more perky, front-facing nipples. And once your scars heal and lighten, about six months later, you’ll see the full results.

Want to Learn More About Breast Lift Surgery in Pasadena, CA?

Dr. Vincent Hung is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon with unique qualifications and training in plastic surgery, dermatology, and internal medicine. This combination of fields of expertise positions him as a highly qualified surgeon who can provide comprehensive results for your breast lift or other cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hung, call his Pasadena, CA, office at (626) 623-7135 or fill out the contact form.

Breast lift surgeries continue to rise in popularity—the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports a 30% increase in breast lift procedures from 2019 to 2022 alone. This signals a growing trend among women seeking to restore their breasts’ natural position and shape. For many women considering this procedure, the primary concern is cost, which often prompts questions about insurance coverage. Since insurance providers maintain strict guidelines between cosmetic and medical procedures, getting coverage requires meeting specific criteria. This blog puts these considerations in perspective.

Why Get a Breast Lift?

A breast lift, also called mastopexy, helps women achieve firmer, more youthful-looking breasts. During this surgery, your plastic surgeon removes extra skin and lifts the breast tissue to create a natural, uplifted shape. Beyond the physical improvements, patients often find renewed confidence in their appearance and greater comfort in their daily activities.

Here are common reasons to consider a breast lift:

• Restore breast shape after pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Improve breast appearance after significant weight loss
• Correct naturally sagging breasts
• Address uneven breast position
• Reposition downward-pointing nipples

The best candidates for breast lifts are women at a stable weight, in good health, and have realistic expectations about the results. Ideally, candidates should be finished having kids, as future pregnancies can affect the surgery’s results. Before proceeding, schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and medical history.

The Difference Between a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Breast Lift

Most breast lift procedures are performed for cosmetic reasons, like improving your appearance or boosting self-confidence. That said, some cases qualify as medically necessary. Understanding this distinction is important for insurance coverage purposes.

Cosmetic breast lifts focus on improving the appearance of sagging breasts caused by natural aging or changes after pregnancy. These elective procedures help women feel more confident but aren’t considered medically necessary. On the other hand, reconstructive breast lifts address specific medical conditions, such as rebuilding breasts after cancer surgery, correcting severe asymmetry, or repairing injury-related damage.

Insurance companies generally limit coverage to medically necessary procedures. This means they will cover reconstructive breast lifts if properly documented medical conditions exist.

When Is a Breast Lift Medically Necessary?

As mentioned earlier, insurance companies may cover breast lifts when medical conditions justify the procedure. While cosmetic concerns often motivate patients to consider breast lifts, several physical symptoms can make this surgery medically necessary.

A breast lift might be considered medically necessary when patients experience:

Physical Discomfort:

• Chronic back pain
• Persistent neck strain
• Shoulder discomfort

Skin-Related Issues:

• Recurring rashes under the breasts
• Frequent skin infections
• Irritation that doesn’t respond to treatment

Daily Life Impact:

• Limited physical activity
• Sleep disruption
• Restricted movement during regular activities

Coverage for a Medically Necessary Breast Lift

Getting insurance coverage for a breast lift requires substantial medical evidence to support your claim. While most insurance providers classify breast lifts as cosmetic procedures, they may approve coverage if you can demonstrate genuine health issues that require surgical intervention.

Building a strong case begins with thorough medical documentation. Your healthcare providers should record all symptoms, treatments, and their outcomes, usually over 6-12 months. Be sure to include reports from various medical professionals, such as your primary care physician, specialists, and physical therapists.

How to Increase the Chances of Coverage:

• Keep detailed records of your symptoms and their impact on your daily life
• Collect evaluations from multiple doctors
• Document all previous treatments that didn’t work
• Ask your doctors for letters stating why you need the surgery
• Work with your surgeon to submit the proper insurance codes

Remember that each insurance provider has different requirements, so contact your insurance company early in the process to understand their specific coverage criteria and documentation needs.

Interested in a Breast Lift in Pasadena, CA?

While insurance coverage for breast lifts depends on several factors, Dr. Vincent Hung and our experienced team have successfully helped many patients secure coverage for their procedures. As a triple board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in breast surgeries, Dr. Hung combines advanced surgical techniques with attentive care to deliver beautiful, natural-looking results.

Ready to discuss your breast lift options? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Hung by calling our Pasadena office at (626) 432-5032 or completing our online form. Our friendly staff is here to help you understand your coverage options and create a treatment plan that meets your goals.