All about breast lift surgery (mastopexy) in Korea

As women undergo childbirth, most tend to suffer from changes in their bodies. Changes such as sagging breasts and tummies. And it doesn’t help that as we age, our breasts lose their elasticity and firmness, and start to sag and droop.

In addition, breast-firming exercises can only help that much. That’s why many women turn to mommy makeovers – a coordinated set of body contouring procedures, designed to improve the physical changes suffered by women after childbirth, and aims to restore their pre-pregnancy bodies.

Breast lift surgery is part of the mommy makeover, and is one of the most commonly sought-after procedure for women with sagging breasts. And here’s what you should know before getting a breast lift or mastopexy.

What is a breast lift surgery?

Aging is a natural process which can cause the shape of your breasts to change, losing their youthful shape and firmness. Some other causes of sagging breasts (mastoptosis) include:

• Loss of skin elasticity due to aging
• Breast deformation due to pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Drastic or rapid weight loss
• Heredity

A breast lift surgery, aka mastopexy, is meant to reshape and lift your sagging breasts to give them a firmer, rounder look. It can lift your sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening your breast tissues.

However, undergoing a breast lift surgery will slightly reduce the size of your breasts and areola as well. But it will not significantly alter the size of your breasts but rather, alter your breast shapes and reposition your areola.

What is the golden ratio for breasts?

Of course, every women’s golden ratio for breasts differs slightly because your breast size should also be balanced with your body frame. But if you are wondering if your breasts are starting to sag, here’s the optimal ratio for your comparison.

Optimal ratio for breasts:

• The distance from the middle of your collarbone to your teat is approximately 18cm.
• Diameter of areola is approximately 3.4~3.5cm.
• Distance between teats should be approximately 19~20cm.
• Distance from your nipple to the bottom of your breasts is approximately 5~6cm.
• The line that connects the middle of your collarbone and nipples should be an equilateral triangle.

Do I need a breast lift surgery?

Your body goes through many changes throughout your lifetime. Especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Your breasts lose their perkiness and start to sag. But breasts are what make a woman a woman. And your breast exhibits your femininity and sexuality.

So how do you decide if you need get a breast lift? If you are suffering from the problems stated below, you have breast ptosis (sagging of breasts):

If you have huge and saggy breasts, a breast lift surgery, coupled with breast reduction surgery, would produce better results. But if you have small and saggy breasts, instead of a breast lift surgery, a breast augmentation surgery might be more suitable for you.

Degrees of breast ptosis for breast lift surgery

If you are suffering from breast ptosis, the most suitable type of breast lift incision and technique used depends largely on your degree of breast ptosis. And it goes without saying, the higher the degree of breast ptosis, the more extensive the reshaping of breasts is needed.

Types of breast lift incisions and techniques

1. Crescent incision

For those who have small breasts that are mildly sagging. A crescent breast lift incision can improve the position of the nipple and areola but not reposition severely sagging nipples.

Crescent-shaped incision around your areola. But if you have small breasts, breast augmentation surgery might be a better option for you to get a breast lift actually.

2. Areola incision (Donut incision)

For those who have moderately sized breasts that are moderately sagging. Areola breast lift incision involves lifting of the breasts and a minor repositioning of the areola.

Incision around the areola. The skin and breast tissues around the areola is tightened and areola is repositioned to a higher location.

3. Vertical incision (Lollipop incision)

For those who have big breasts that are moderately sagging but needs an extensive reshaping of breasts.

Incision around your areola and an additional vertical incision towards the bottom of your breasts.

4. Anchor incision (Inverted-T incision)

For those who have big and severely sagging breasts. An anchor breast lift incision is needed for a more dramatic reshaping of your breasts and to correct extensive sagging.

Incision around your areola, an additional vertical incision towards the bottom of your breasts, and another additional incision at your breast bottom crease.

How long does breast lift surgery last?

The results of a breast lift may not be permanent, but definitely long-lasting. How long your results will last depends on the size of your breasts, elasticity of your skin, and the technique used during the procedure.

Do use a good quality bra to support your new breasts for longer lasting results.

How long does breast lift surgery take?

Breast lift surgery in Korea usually lasts 2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia so you will not feel any pain.

When can I see results from breast lift surgery?

Instantaneous results, though a little swelling might last up to 1 week. However, you should wear a special breast garment for at least 1 month so as to help maintain the shape of your new breasts and keep augmented breast tissues stay in place as well.

Actual recovery time vary among individuals, and is subjected to one’s health condition & healing response.

How long should I stay in Korea?

Breast lift surgery in Korea is considered an extensive surgery but hospitalization is not required. But do stay until your stitches are removed. Maybe go shopping in the meantime!

Stitch removal

Stitches are usually removed 7~10 days after surgery.

Cautions on stitch removal

If you remove the stitches earlier then advised, your wound might reopen, causing an infection. And if you remove it too late, you risk further scarring and pigmentation.

Sometimes due to time constraints, you might consider having your stitches removed at the local hospitals in your home country. Although that is possible (but not recommended), it depends on how well you have been healing and is also subjected to doctor’s approval.

What other surgery complements breast lift surgery?

1. Breast augmentation surgery

If you have small but sagging breasts, sometimes just breast augmentation alone can lift and change the shape of your breasts.

2. Breast reduction surgery

If you have very big yet sagging breasts, you might have to consider breast reduction surgery as well to treat your sagging breasts.

3. Nipple reduction surgery

If your nipples appears to be sagging as well, there are no reasons why you shouldn’t get nipple reduction surgery at the same time.

4. Areola reduction surgery

Having a large areola ain’t as sexy as you think it is. Size it down with areola reduction surgery if its too large for your breast size.

5. Inverted nipple correction surgery

Having inverted nipples not only makes your breasts look less attractive, but can also cause functionality and hygiene problems. If you are suffering from inverted nipples, fix it with inverted nipple correction surgery.

Conclusion

Breasts boosts a women’s self confidence and femininity but not when they have big and sagging breasts. And a breast lift is very effective in lifting those sagging breasts and restoring its perkiness.

Not to mention that having the ideal breast size will also portray a more youthful image and promote a more positive self-image as well. The only downside – scars, but hey, scars lighten and fade as time passes.

Results are generally long lasting — although breast shape and size can change again due to factors such as aging and weight gain or loss. And results are instantaneous but can take months for swelling to completely go down and years for scars to completely fade.