Aesthetic surgery
BREAST REDUCTION AND BREAST LIFT – BEAUTIFULLY SHAPED AFTER SURGERY
Women seek a breast reduction or breast lift for various reasons. For example, overly large and heavy breasts can lead to back pain or postural problems in women. However, a woman’s breasts can also change due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, significant weight loss or age. Many women then suffer from the aesthetic consequences of their sagging breasts. We have summarised the surgical options for a breast reduction or breast lift below. We also answer the most frequently asked questions about breast lift and breast reduction.
If you decide to have breast reduction or breast lift surgery at the ETHIANUM Clinic, you are also choosing the best and most renowned surgeons in this field: Prof Dr Reichenberger, Prof Dr Germann or Prof Dr Engel. The team of plastic-aesthetic and reconstructive surgeons work hand in hand to fulfil your vision of a beautifully shaped breast. With years of expertise and ongoing workshops, the surgical experts work according to the latest scientific findings. You have access to the best medical equipment in the operating theatres of the ETHIANUM Clinic. Both factors – the expertise and the perfect equipment of the clinic – guarantee the best results and beautifully shaped breasts after an operation.
Find out more about the surgical options we use at the ETHIANUM Heidelberg for a breast lift or breast reduction.
Aesthetic surgery
BREAST REDUCTION OR BREAST LIFT – THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is a breast a sagging breast?
Stand in front of the mirror. If the height of your nipples is below the inframammary fold, the doctor calls it a sagging breast. And that’s without the familiar pencil test. A distinction is also made between different degrees of severity for sagging breasts.
Can you train away sagging breasts through exercise?
Breasts sag over the years. Although individual ligaments radiate from the pectoral muscles into the skin, you won’t be able to change much here even with a lot of training. Skin texture and chest muscles can be improved by butterfly exercises, for example, but the sagging tissue or the empty breast will unfortunately not gain in fullness and will not regain its youthful firmness.
Would a breast lift be advisable for very small, sagging breasts?
This always depends on the woman’s individual wishes. A simple lift may be sufficient, but sometimes an implant can also be helpful for small sagging breasts. The inserted implant fills the breast with volume again and thus tightens the entire skin mantle.
How long does the breast remain firm after surgery?
If there are no major weight fluctuations, the breasts can remain firm for up to ten years after surgery. With advancing age, the elasticity of the tissue decreases and this is accompanied by sagging of the breast. However, you can assume that your breasts will not sag as they did before the breast lift.
Why are breast lift and breast reduction mentioned in the same breath?
A breast reduction always means tightening the breasts at the same time. Where tissue is removed, an excess of skin naturally remains, which is removed for a harmonious overall result. The procedure is very similar for the surgeon. This is why the terms are often used interchangeably.
Aesthetic surgery
BREAST REDUCTION OR BREAST LIFT – THE 4 STEPS OF THE OPERATION
Step 1: The preliminary consultation
Our doctors take a lot of time for you during the preliminary consultation and clarify all the questions that are important for your breast reduction or breast lift. In order to provide you with comprehensive advice and treatment, we need to know whether you are planning to lose weight or become pregnant, for example. Without any time pressure, you decide whether you want to have the operation on your breasts. In addition to a consultation, medical examinations are also scheduled. These include
- A breast examination and measurement of the size and shape of your nipples.
- Registration of allergies or illnesses, previous illnesses, medication, etc.
- Previous surgical procedures and relevant medical treatments
- Family medical history of breast cancer
- Reasons for the procedure, your expectations of the result
- Discussion of options and treatment recommendation The anaesthetic procedure
- Any risks and possible complications
- Ultrasound or mammography before a planned operation
Step 2: The operation
The breast lift or breast reduction is performed under general anaesthetic.
One of these three procedures is used:
- Incision around the areola
- Incision around the areola and from the areola to the inframammary fold vertically downwards (I incision)
- Incision around the areola, vertically downwards to the inframammary fold and horizontally along the inframammary fold (T-incision)
- The underlying breast tissue is then lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness. Breast glandular tissue is also removed during breast reduction. The remaining breast tissue is then anchored deep down to the underlying muscles (‘inner bra’) to prevent the breast from sagging again. The nipple and areola are repositioned at a natural height. If the areolas are enlarged, they will now be reduced in size, if discussed in advance.
Expect the operation to take one and a half to three hours. Smaller lifts can be performed on an outpatient basis, but you will usually be hospitalised for a breast lift and/or breast reduction. The surgeon will take care to hide incision lines in the natural breast contours as much as possible. Some scars will remain visible but will fade over time.
Finally, dressings are applied. An elasticated bandage will limit swelling and support the new breast contour during healing. A small, thin tube is temporarily inserted to allow wound fluid to drain away.
Step 3 and 4: Healing phase and result
You will be given detailed aftercare instructions. These include:
- Care of the skin incisions after the procedure
- Medication to be taken orally or applied
- Observation of the incisions and general health as well as follow-up examinations
- Not to lift or carry heavy objects
- Do not sunbathe for several weeks
Once the post-operative swelling has subsided and the scars have healed well, you will be able to see the result of the breast lift, which will hopefully fulfil your wishes.
