If your breasts are no longer firm and lifted, you may wonder what you can do to improve their appearance. Contrary to popular belief, building your back muscles isn’t enough. At Northstate Plastic Surgery Associates in Chico, CA, we are proud to offer mastopexy, more commonly known as a breast lift.
What Is the Right Age for a Breast Lift?
18 to 25 Years of Age
Some young women have fully developed breast tissue by the age of 16 or 17. Others are still growing through a good part of their 20s. If you are between the ages of 18 and 25, a breast lift may be right for you if your breasts have finished developing and you are self-conscious about the lift of your breasts.
26 to 35 Years of Age
Sagging breasts often occur after childbirth and nursing. Between the ages of 26 and 35 may be the right age for you to receive mastopexy if you are experiencing significant sagging due to pregnancy and nursing. Women who receive a breast lift after childbirth often benefit from having a breast reduction or breast augmentation performed at the same time. To determine if now is the right time to opt for several cosmetic procedures, consult with a plastic surgeon.
36 to 45 Years of Age
At the age of 25, your body starts to produce less collagen. Collagen is a type of protein that keeps your skin tight, firm, plump and beautiful. By the time you’re 36, there’s an excellent chance that you’re noticing signs of aging. Some people find that their facial skin sags. Others find that the skin around their breasts has started to sag.
46 to 50 Years of Age
It is not uncommon for women to wait until they are in their mid- to late-40s to receive a breast lift. Between the ages of 46 and 50, there is a very good chance that the time is right for you to undergo mastopexy. If you are older than 50, there is a slightly reduced chance that you are a good candidate for this procedure.
Over 50 Years of Age
If you are over the age of 50, the time may still be right for you to undergo mastopexy. During your initial consultation, there are some other things we will consider to determine if you should undergo this procedure. The first thing we will look at is your health. Then, we will review your expectations and the current health of the skin on your breasts.
Important Consideration Other Than Age
Health
The most important factor in determining if mastopexy is right for you is your general health. The time may be right for you to undergo this procedure if you are not obese, you do not consume any nicotine or tobacco products, you do not have a family or personal history of breast cancer and you do not have a bleeding or clotting disorder, such as deep vein thrombosis.
Breasts Symmetry
There are many reasons why your breasts may be asymmetrical. For example, you may have breastfed unevenly at some point. You may also have always had asymmetrical breasts. You may have scoliosis which has progressed to the point that the asymmetry is dramatically affecting the appearance of your breasts.
Regardless of why your breasts are asymmetrical, a board-certified plastic surgeon can reconstruct your breast tissue during mastopexy to leave you with symmetrical, shapely breasts.
Skin
Many people, regardless of age, opt for mastopexy because the skin over their breasts is stretched out. During mastopexy, any excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is tightened. If you have excess skin resulting from dramatic breast volume loss, you may find that mastopexy will restore the perkiness and youthfulness of your breasts. Besides improving the aesthetics of your breasts, excess skin removal will help your bras fit more comfortably.
Breast Shape
During your initial consultation, the shape and position of your breasts will be evaluated. However, you may be able to tell if now is the right time for you to undergo mastopexy at home with a technique known as the “pencil test”. To perform the test, place a pencil along the inframammary fold underneath your unsupported breast. Release your breast. If the pencil remains in place, you have failed the pencil test and there is sagging. If you fail the pencil test, you may want to take the “pinch test” next to see if a breast lift is really right for you.
To perform the pinch test, place the tips of your left ring and middle fingers in the center of the inframammary fold under your left breast in line with your nipple. Slide the tips of your fingers up to the junction where the abdominal skin meets the bottom of the breast without lifting the breast. Ensuring that your right thumb remains over the front of the breast, gently bring up the tip of your thumb towards the tip of your middle finger and pinch your breast lightly. If your thumb tip inches the breast above the nipple, there is an excellent chance that now is the perfect time for you to undergo mastopexy.
Is Mastopexy Right for You?
If you’re self-conscious about the lift of your breasts, mastopexy can be life-changing. To determine if a breast lift is right for you, contact Northstate Plastic Surgery Associates in Chico, CA today to schedule your initial consultation. We would love to meet you and answer any and all questions you have about the procedure to help you determine if it would help you achieve your ideal aesthetic.