Many women find it necessary to seek a breast lift at some point in their life. For this reason, we are proud to offer this procedure, otherwise known as mastopexy, at Real Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery in Moonee Ponds, VIC. Today, we’re discussing everything you need to know about this procedure, including when the right time to consider one is. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is the Best Age for a Breast Lift?
As a general rule of thumb, there is no best age for a breast lift. However, we would like to make a couple of caveats. First, you should understand that it is important for a woman’s breasts to be fully developed before she considers this procedure. Some women’s breasts develop fully while they are in their teens. However, other women do not develop their breasts fully until they are in their early 20s.
Also, you should keep in mind that you should be at your ideal weight before you consider this procedure. Therefore, you may want to hold off on your mastopexy if you are planning to lose weight or currently on a weight loss journey. Finally, you should keep in mind that breastfeeding can change the elevation of your breasts. Therefore, if you are nursing, you should hold off on considering this treatment.
Women Between 18 and 25
Some of the most common reasons women consider a breast lift between the ages of 18 and 25 are:
- Genetics
- Diet-related weight changes
- Pregnancy-related weight changes
- Smoking
- Sun damage
Genetics is one of the most common reasons why women between the ages of 18 and 25 seek mastopexy. It is your genes that affect the factors that cause breast sagging, including tissue density, skin elasticity, and breast size. There is a good chance that you will be considered a good candidate for this procedure if you are between the age of 18 and 25, have fully developed breasts, and are concerned about breast elongation or downward-pointing nipples.
Women Between 26 and 35
Half a century ago, women started becoming mothers around the age of 24. Today, women are waiting longer to start becoming mothers, and it is not uncommon for women to give birth in their 30s. Note, breast sagging often occurs after pregnancy.
Also, breast sagging is likely to occur after the age of 25 because it is usually around the age of 25 that women start to produce less collagen. A slowdown in collagen production results in sagging breasts because collagen is an essential supportive protein that keeps your skin tight, firm, and healthy.
Ensuring the Best Results
While you won’t be considered too young to qualify for this procedure if your breasts are fully developed, you should keep in mind that pregnancy often causes breast sagging. Therefore, if you plan on becoming pregnant in the future, you may want to wait before receiving this procedure.
Women Between 36 and 45
In the past, it was thought that breast sagging occurred due to not wearing a bra. However, the real reason breast sagging occurs is the body stops producing enough collagen. By the time you reach the age of 36, you can have up to an 11% collagen deficit.
Unfortunately, your breast skin is just as susceptible to the effects of collagen loss as all of your other skin. It is important to keep in mind that even smaller busts may start to sag eventually. This is because the breasts have very little natural support due to a lack of muscles.
Women Between 46 and 50
Often, women are so busy growing in their careers and taking care of their families that they don’t have time to consider mastopexy. By the time they are in their late 40s, their children are more independent, they are more settled in their career, and they have the time they need to invest in themselves to recover fully from a cosmetic procedure.
There is a good chance that you will be considered a good candidate for this procedure if you are between the age of 46 and 50 and you feel like sagging breasts are making you look older than you really are.
Women Over 50
In the past, women over the age of 50 were considered too old to qualify for a cosmetic procedure. However, this is not the case. If you are in fairly good health and concerned about the position of your breasts, you may be considered a good candidate for this procedure even if you are over the age of 50.
Other Factors To Consider
There are many factors to consider besides your age when determining whether this procedure may be right for you. For example, during your initial consultation, we will ask you about your:
- Daily pharmaceuticals
- Family medical history
- Personal medical history
- Tobacco product use
- Current weight goals
- Future weight goals
Your Breast Skin
Irrespective of age, women often seek mastopexy due to stretched breast skin. During this procedure, we can remove excess breast skin and tighten the remaining skin. However, these are but two potential benefits of this procedure. Other benefits you may enjoy from this procedure include:
- Enhanced breast shape
- Elevated breasts
- Youthened silhouette
- Elevated areolas and nipples
What You Need To Know About This Procedure
Sometimes, mastopexy is confused with breast augmentation. However, you should understand that these are two very different operations. The former is sought to reshape and elevate the breasts; the latter is sought to increase the size of the breasts. To tell whether now may be the time to consider mastopexy, you can examine your breasts. You may be able to round and elevate your breasts if they look flattened or pendulous if you get mastopexy.
Note, you should keep in mind that there is no ideal bust size or shape. A breast lift may be used to enhance the appearance of the areolas and nipples to point up or forward rather than down. The entire projection of your breast can change as you age as your skin stretches due to collagen loss. This may be corrected by mastopexy through breast and skin tissue repositioning. Mastopexy, rather than augmentation, may also be used to:
- Enlarge the areolas
- Elevate the nipples
- Elevate the breasts
What To Expect During Your Recovery Process
Every recovery process is unique, but you may find that your breasts look and feel bigger than you imagined. However, you should not expect your breasts to remain larger. In fact, you may lose up to half of a cup size due to the removal of excess skin tissue. Typically, the recovery period following this procedure lasts around six weeks. However, you should keep in mind that you may be feeling like yourself after around seven days of resting.
A Closer Look at What You Can Expect
Depending on the type of job you have, you may be able to go back to work three to seven days after your lift. However, you should not return to work for two to three weeks if you have a physically intense job. Be advised, you should limit your physical activity, such as engaging in sexual intercourse, picking up your kids, and lifting grocery bags. Vigorous physical activity, such as biking or running will be restricted for approximately six weeks.
However, you will not be restricted from all physical activity. For instance, you should walk regularly during your recovery period to support your circulatory system and a smooth recovery. Just keep in mind that when you walk, you need to only get moderate exercise. If your pulse increases too much and you start breathing too heavily, you need to slow down. A couple of weeks after your procedure, if your recovery is going well, you may start lifting light weights.
An Additional Note
It will be a while before you can push, pull, or lift heavy weights. If you feel like your recovery is going well, let us know, and we may be able to clear you for more vigorous physical activity.
The Time To Consider Mastopexy Is Now
Do you feel like lifting your breasts would improve your self-confidence? If so, the time is now to consider mastopexy. There’s no best age to consider this procedure because every woman is affected by the aging process, weight fluctuations, and other changes differently. If you are in the Melbourne area and concerned about the appearance of your breasts, contact us today at Real Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery in Moonee Ponds, VIC to schedule your initial breast lift consultation with Mr. Salerno.
