The effects on a new mommy’s post-partum body become glaringly obvious once you realize how much your breasts have changed. Your once perky, well-shaped breasts have lost fullness and taken on a sagging appearance.
In medical terms, it’s called breast ptosis, a normal, natural condition resulting from pregnancy and breastfeeding.
A mommy makeover is a great way to get your breasts back into pre-pregnancy condition.
Still, the thought of going through any surgical procedure can be daunting.
The thought of breast lift surgery, also known as mastopexy, is interesting, but is it for you?
In weighing options for a breast-specific mommy makeover, is it possible to improve the shape of breasts without getting implants?
Of course, it would be great to return your breasts to their pre-pregnancy grandeur. Achieving that involves a surgical procedure; complete with risks, money and downtime after surgery.
Here is a look at another mommy makeover option – breast lift surgery without implants.
Learning more about this procedure can help you decide if this procedure is right for you.
What is a Natural Breast Augmentation?
When you think of breast augmentation, you may think it’s restricted to the use of implants. However, there is an alternative known as a “natural breast lift,” or breast lift surgery without implants.
A breast lift without the use of implants is for the woman who wants to “freshen up” the appearance of sagging breasts, without changing their size or shape.
It is an invasive surgical procedure, geared towards improving the appearance of postpartum breasts.
The procedure involves removing excess, stretched skin and tightening surrounding breast tissue and ligaments which give the breasts a firmer appearance. It eliminates sagging and takes years off the appearance of postpartum breasts.
A natural breast lift addresses the following concerns:
- Corrects and lifts sagging, limp, stretched or otherwise misshapen breasts by the removal of excess skin.
- Removal of excess skin in and around the breasts for firmer, more youthful breasts.
- Re-positioning of nipples to a higher, symmetrical location on the breasts.
- Re-positioning and/or size reduction of areolae (dark skin surrounding nipples)
Is a Natural Breast Lift Safe?
While there are risks associated with any surgical procedure, a natural breast lift is considered safe.
Surgery risks from breast lifts include excessive bleeding, infection, negative reaction to anesthesia, numbness, breast shape/contour irregularities and incision inflammation.
In 2018 alone, over 313,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed. The majority of these procedures resulted in safe, positive outcomes.
Different Techniques Doctors May Use to Perform a Breast Lift Surgery Without Implants
There are different types of breast lifts and approaches. Schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can go over your options in more detail.
The biggest determining factors in choosing one type of breast lift surgery over another depend on:
- Current health of breasts and surrounding breast tissue
- Level of correction required
- Patient goals, expectations and desired results
- After discussing your options, your surgeon can make recommendations as to the best type of breast lift surgery to deliver results.
Minimal Correction
The Crescent Lift is an option for women with a minimal amount of sagging. One small incision is made on the top edge of the areola. This technique is typically although infrequently used for breast augmentation patients.
The Peri-Areolar Lift is a technique also used for women with minimal corrections required. One small, continuous, circular incision is made around the edge of the areola. This technique is also used to reduce the size of the areola. This technique, also known as a “donut” lift, is typically used in conjunction with a breast augmentation procedure.
Moderate Correction
A Vertical Lift is the most commonly used breast lift procedure. During the procedure, removal of excess skin and re-shaping of breast tissue is completed with two fairly undetectable scars.
One circular incision is made around the areola; with another vertical incision made from the bottom of the areola running to the bottom of the underside breast crease.
Also known as the “lollipop” lift, it helps a patient dealing with a moderate level of sagging and need for re-shaping.
Extensive Correction
The Inverted T Lift gives the best results for patients in need of extensive corrective procedures. This technique allows the surgeon to remove a great deal of excess skin and correct more sagging breast tissue.
Three incisions are made with this lift and can leave visible scarring which typically fades in time. A circular incision is made around the areola, one from the bottom of the areola running vertically to the underside of the breast crease and another in the breast crease. Due to the shape of the incisions, this procedure is also known as the “anchor” lift.
Based on the required level of correction, desired results and the expert opinion of the surgeon, the specific technique and resulting scarring from incisions can be determined for the best outcome.
The Horizontal Mastopexy is a breast lift technique which uses only horizontal incisions. The idea is to minimize the appearance of scarring both on the areola and the breast.
Breast tissue is pushed up from the bottom of the breast and removed through the incision. This procedure works well on patients with extensive ptosis and require nipple relocation.
Auto-Augmentation for Minimal to Moderate Correction. A candidate for auto-augmentation is a patient with a good amount of healthy breast tissue, who isn’t interested in changing the size of her breasts. The patient should also have a good amount of skin elasticity.
Auto-augmentation is a procedure similar to a breast lift. The difference is that the excess breast tissue normally taken and discarded from the breast is up-cycled. Rather than discarding, the healthy breast tissue is re-shaped and re-inserted into the breast.
A big benefit with this procedure is that your own tissue is used to create volume and shapely breasts without changing the breast size.
Although incisions are made, the overall procedure is even less invasive than a traditional breast lift, reducing the risks of numbness and infection. Results from this technique have been effective and long-lasting.
Benefits of Getting a Breast Lift Surgery Without Implants
The benefits of getting a mommy makeover featuring a breast lift surgery without implants are substantial:
- Improved self-confidence
- More attractive figure
- Less strain on back after removal of excess, sagging breast skin
- More youthful appearance of breasts
- No fear of potential rupture or leaking of implants
- Combats bouts of postpartum depression or mood swings caused by negative body image
- You…only better!
How Much is a Breast Lift Surgery Without Implants?
Until you sit down with a plastic surgeon and go over a detailed plan, it’s hard to narrow down costs for a breast lift surgery without implants procedure.
There are a lot of factors which contribute to total costs, such as geographic location and amount of correction required.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the cost of a breast lift is around $4,600.
Keep in mind that there may be additional costs involved such as individual doctor bills, pre-surgery testing, out-patient accommodations and prescriptions, to name a few.
Recovering from a Breast Lift Without Implants
It takes about three hours to perform a breast lift surgery without implants procedure. Patients are released the same day and return home to begin recovery.
The recovery process varies based on the patient’s age, health and procedure performed. On average, it takes approximately six weeks to heal from a breast lift surgery.
By the six-week mark, most of the pain, swelling, bruising and need for pain meds is gone.
There will be permanent surgical scars that will fade over time.
A general recovery timeline might go something like this:
Estimated Post-Surgery Healing Timeframe | Recovery Milestone |
2-3 Days | Showering OK
Follow up with doctor Drainage tubes removed Stitches removed (if applicable) Dressings changed |
1-2 Weeks | Return to work
Resume sexual activity |
3 Weeks | Resume most normal daily activities |
6 Weeks | Resume vigorous daily activities
Resume side or stomach sleeping Removal of surgical support bra; traded for softer support bra |
Can a Breast Lift Without Implants Achieve Good Results?
If you are in the market for a successful mommy makeover, a breast lift will give you good, long-lasting results.
A breast lift surgery without implants corrects the effects of postpartum ptosis with a minimally invasive procedure.
If you are looking for increased volume, lift and a more youthful breast appearance, it is a fairly quick and successful solution for consideration.
Can You See the Results of a Natural Breast Lift Right Away?
After healing begins and the bandages come off, you will see the benefits of a natural breast lift right away.
Be patient through the recovery process. It will take a few weeks for your body to heal, the swelling to go down and the soreness to subside.
After 6-8 weeks of post-surgical care, the results will be rewarding and well worth your efforts.
Is It Worth Considering Getting a Breast lift With Implants?
It’s important to determine exactly what you want to achieve with breast surgery. To do this, you need to understand the difference between a breast lift and a breast augmentation.
A breast lift surgery without implants is for patients who are not interested in implants to increase bra cup size. A lift is strictly used to remove excess skin and breast tissue, relocate the nipple, and relocate or reduce the size of the areola.
The results of a breast lift are to give your breasts a firmer, more youthful, “perky” appearance.
A breast lift WITH implants, breast augmentation or augmentation mammaplasty, is an option for patients wishing to increase bra cup size or dramatically change the shape of the breasts. Another option is a breast augmentation along with a breast lift.
The best mommy makeover begins with education and careful consideration of exactly what you want to accomplish with breast lift surgery. The more you know, the better the experience and outcome.