In patients who need a breast lift, breast droop and deflation is present, areolas may enlarge, and breast skin may stretch and become thin. Breasts that are low situated, droopy, or not ideally shaped may also be present from the earliest phases of breast development. Breast lift I considered in patients who have sagging, volume loss, and unsatisfactory breast shape after pregnancy and nursing. Major weight change, over time, may result in sagging of the breasts, breast lift should be considered. Low-lying nipple-areolar position can be elevated, large areolas can be reduced and made more proportional and symmetric, the existing breast gland can be lifted to a more ideal position, and the entire breast can be firmed and reshaped to return the breasts to a more attractive and beautiful balance. Restoration of volume in the upper pole of the breast (the region above the nipple) may be achieved in many instances with existing breast gland; when there has been more significant volume loss, particularly after pregnancy or weight loss, replacing lost volume with breast implants (breast augmentation-mastopexy)lınk verelim may be indicated. In selected women, breast implants alone may be sufficient to achieve the desired shape, however when significant improvements in position, tone and shape are required, a breast lift is often the best choice to achieve your desired goals.

Breast Lift with Dr. Cigdem Unal

Breast droop, deflation, and insufficient shape can present in variety of ways, therefore and an equally wide array of individual goals for correction are present. Every breast lift procedure with Dr. Cigdem Unal, a European and Turkish board-certified plastic surgeon, is uniquely personalized and tailored specifically to both anatomy and desire. Breast lift incision and technique will vary depending upon the degree of drooping, the breast and nipple position, the elasticity of the skin, and whether or not volume will be restored along with the lift procedure. Breast lift surgery can be performed using the breast tissues present, or with the addition breast implants to better restore a more youthful, natural shape. Every breast lift patient is unique, as the surgeon who performs the procedure. The breast lift surgeon you choose does make a difference. From initial evaluation, planning, and through the surgery, a breast lift is so much more than simply reducing extra skin and tightening breast skin. It is a procedure that requires expertise, through understanding of individual breast anatomy and creativity. Taking all of these variables into consideration, Dr. Cigdem Unal, a breast lift surgeon in Istanbul, Nisantasi, will help to advise you regarding the best breast lift procedure, or combination of procedures, to achieve your desires.

Planning Your Breast Lift

Breast lift planning begins with a careful examination so that your desires can be paired with your physical needs to establish the best breast lift technical approach. Experienced in the performance of the most modern breast lift techniques, Dr. Cigdem Unal will recommend the procedure that meets the goal of the most natural and beautiful breast lift result with the most minimal incisions necessary to achieve it. The breast lift techniques are as follows:

• Circumareolar Mastopexy - "Doughnut" breast lift that has an incision around areola only
• Circumvertical Mastopexy – “short scar” breast lift, with an incision around areola and a vertical line
• Wise-Pattern Mastopexy - "Inverted-T" breast lift, with an incision around the areola, a vertical line to the inframammary crease, and a horizontal line
• Augmentation Mastopexy - any breast lift performed in conjunction with breast augmentation with breast implants

Breast droop is classified to four general types to aid in formulating the best breast lift technique for each type:

• Glandular Ptosis Or Pseudoptosis
  Nipple areola is at the position it should be, at the inframammary fold, but the breast gland droops down below the inframammary fold
• Grade I Ptosis
  Both the gland and nipple droop slightly below the breast crease
• Grade II Ptosis
  Gland and nipple droop more significantly below the crease
• Grade III Ptosis
  The nipple-areola at the lowest aspect of the drooping breast, more than 1-2cm below the inramammary fold

When choosing the best breast lift approach, breast skin inelasticity, areolar size, glandular density, general breast shape and degree of deflation must all be considered in addition to the positional factors listed above. In the grade I - II ptozis, a circumareolar mastopexy, with an incision confined to the areola, is appropriate. In certain cases with more moderate droop where breast implants will also be used, the circumareolar approach may also be adequate. In grade II - III breast droop, additional shaping, elevation and restoration of projection are required, a circumvertical mastopexy, with a short scar incision around the areola and a vertical line beneath it, will result in a pleasing outcome. In cases of severe breast droop and deflation where the most "lifting" is required, a breast lift with a circular incision around the areola, a line progressing vertically to the crease, and a limited incision within the crease may be indicated. In any case, the shortest incisional approach will be undertaken to achieve the desired results. If additional breast volume, particularly in the restoration of the breast upper pole fullness is desired, a breast lift can be combined with breast augmentation. In this procedure, breast implants are placed to further enhance the breast shape and balance.

Preparing for Breast Lift Surgery

Approximately one week before your breast lift surgery, you will have a comprehensive preoperative visit in our office in İstanbul, Nisantasi. A complete list of what to do and what to avoid is reviewed. Prescriptions for medications to be taken postop are given, and the pre and postop instructions are reviewed. Any questions that remain can be answered during this visit. Routine laboratory studies/blood work are ordered, and any (age and past medical history appropriate) breast imaging studies that are obtained as appropriate.

The Breast Lift Procedure

The breast lift procedures are performed exclusively by Dr. Cigdem Unal at fully accredited hospitals in Nisantasi, Istanbul. The breast lift surgery is an outpatient procedure or 1 night stay at the hospital may be required depending on the surgery time. After preoperative marking on the day of surgery, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist of the associated hospitals she works with.The procedure duration is approximately three hours.

Recovery

Following your breast lift in Istanbul, you will be cared for by the licensed registered nurse in the ward of the hospital. You will be discharged with a friend or relative when you are fully awake and comfortable, generally three to four hours after the completion of surgery, or the morning after surgery depending o n the time you are operated during the day.

Dr. Cigdem Unal recommends taking one week off from work or strenuous activity, although in certain circumstances a return to "light duties" may be possible after as few as four to five days. No suture removal will be necessary, as sutures are placed beneath the skin and are dissolvable. Closed suction drainage tubes are most often used that are removed between 1-3 days after your procedure. A special medical bra that is provided by our office is worn for approximately two weeks, after which a sports bra is worn. Regular bras and bathing suit tops can be worn after three to four weeks. Settling of the breasts to their final shape is at approximately 12 weeks following breast lift.

Exercise After Breast Lift

Return to light exercise (walking, treadmill) begins at 4-5 days after surgery, and more vigorous exercise resumes at three weeks (chest exercise may be resumed after about six weeks if breast implants are used in conjunction with breast lift).

Aftercare

Dr. Cigdem Unal will see you at the office in follow-up periodically following breast lift surgery. You will be seen several times during the first two weeks postop, and then at intervals through the first year. He will make recommendations on any early restrictions of egzersize, return to normal activities, breast self-examination, general breast health and maintenance, and the timing of any breast imaging as indicated. Dr.Cigdem Unal and her staff will always be available to assist you with any questions or recovery-related matters following the procedure.