When Is A Breast Lift Medically Necessary?

When Is A Breast Lift Medically Necessary?

Breast lift surgery is often considered a cosmetic procedure that lifts sagging breasts by removing extra skin and repositioning the nipple. It is similar to a breast reduction but does not remove actual breast tissue in most cases. However, a breast lift may still result in a small reduction in breast size. Thus, it is common to combine breast lifts with breast augmentation. While a breast lift is generally a fully elective procedure that a woman may seek out only for cosmetic reasons, there are a handful of reasons that may make a breast lift more medically necessary. A breast lift—even when medically called for—is almost always an elective surgery. So, when is a breast lift medically necessary? 

What Is Breast Lift Surgery?

 Breast lift surgery is a procedure that most typically uses an anchor incision to remove extra skin from the breast and move the nipple upward on the breast. The incision circles the nipple moves vertically down the breast, and then continues through the inframammary fold. While it can be an extensive incision, it is usually completely hidden by most bras and swimsuits. 

#1: Extreme Breast Asymmetry

 All breasts have slight asymmetry. Most of the time, it does not cause issues, and women often will not even notice. However, sometimes a woman may have two breasts that are drastically different in size or position. Depending on the woman’s anatomy, Dr. Sessa may recommend a breast lift to help bring the breasts into proportion. Often, a breast augmentation can also help when one breast is fully developed and the other underdeveloped. 

#2: Skin Irritation

 When the breasts begin to sag, they will usually hang over the skin of the chest and potentially the abdomen. This can cause chaffing, irritation, and even skin infections. While wearing bras can sometimes help prevent or alleviate this, it will not work in all situations. Lifting the breasts to relieve skin rubbing is the most effective when skin irritation or infections have become a major problem due to sagging breasts. 

#3: Back/Neck Pain

 Asymmetrical or overly large breasts can cause back and neck pain due to increased weight on the chest or unevenly distributed weight. While a breast reduction is common to address pain, a breast lift may also be necessary to maintain proportion and shape. Dr. Sessa can discuss whether a patient may need a breast lift in addition to their breast reduction surgery. Without correction, this back, neck, or shoulder pain can be chronic and difficult to adequately treat. 

Conclusion

 A breast lift surgery can help women gain confidence after having children or address issues that significantly impact their quality of life. It is a versatile surgery that can have an overall positive impact on a patient. Whether combined with a breast augmentation or breast reduction, breast lift surgery with Dr. Sessa can be life-changing. To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 941-923-1736. Patients can also reach out online via chat, contact form, or Price Simulator.