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Hello, I am Dr. Jeon Ji-in from
Girin Plastic Surgery in Korea.
In my years of experience doing
breast lift surgeries in Korea, I have seen a variety of breast sagging cases, and it
appears that people of all ages come to the clinic with many different reasons.
Most people think that breast
lifting is only performed on old people whose skin elasticity has decreased due
to aging.
However, excessive dieting or
breastfeeding after childbirth can also cause breast sagging at a younger age.
The Cooper ligament, which maintains the elasticity and shape of the chest, could
stretch or break due to those reasons, causing the breast to become droopy and
lose its shape.
That said, breast lifting surgery can raise the breast with minimal scarring at any level of sagging, from slight to severe. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis, plan the surgery, and find the desired breast shape and volume beforehand.
Is my breast sagging?
Let’s see the difference
between normal and saggy breasts so that you can check your own condition
0) Normal Breast
Ideally, the nipple (papilla)
should be 4-5cm above the inframammary fold. If the position of the nipple is
the same height or lower than the inframammary fold, it would be considered a
sagging chest, also called Mastoptosis. Depending on the degree of sagginess,
it can be classified as a first, second, or third degree Mastoptosis.
1) First Degree Mastoptosis
If the sagging is minimal with the nipple located within 1cm under the inframammary fold, it is considered a first-degree mastoptosis case. The volume of the breast is mostly located on the bottom part of the breast and the nipple points slightly downward.
2) Second Degree Mastoptosis
More severe than the first, second degree mastoptosis is when the nipple is 1-3cm lower than the inframammary fold. The breast itself also looks more lowered.
3) Third Degree Mastoptosis
The surgical approach for
addressing such pronounced sagging varies according to the extent of breast
ptosis. The primary objective is to attain a substantial lifting outcome while
minimizing the length of the incisions, all tailored to the specific degree of
sagging present.
Breast Lift Incision Types
1) Crescent
The Crescent Incision technique involves creating a half-moon-shaped incision above the areola to delicately elevate the nipple's position. This method is ideally suited for addressing first-degree mastoptosis, where a mild degree of sagging is present and can be effectively corrected by repositioning the nipple.
The resulting scar is discreet
and nearly imperceptible. This technique is particularly advantageous for those
seeking subtle enhancements with minimal visible scarring.
2) Donut
The donut incision technique involves resecting the outer rim of the areola in a circular pattern, resulting in a donut-shaped resection, and subsequently elevating the nipple. This technique offers the advantage of raising the nipple to a higher position compared to the "crescent incision" technique, as a larger amount of skin surrounding the areola is excised, without altering the natural shape of the nipple itself. The donut incision is particularly effective for addressing mild cases of breast sagging, categorized as first-degree mastoptosis, where nipple repositioning alone is sufficient for correction.
The scar is strategically positioned at the border of the areola. Over time, this scar tends to fade and blend with the natural coloration of the areola, becoming progressively less noticeable.
3) Lollipop
A lollipop incision method involves making an incision around the
areola and a vertical one that extends down from it. This method serves to lift
the breasts by addressing sagging from both lateral sides, effectively
enhancing upper volume fullness.
For cases where the sagging is moderate, such as second-degree
mastoptosis, the lollipop incision technique is especially valuable. It enables
a skillful elevation of the breasts and the creation of an aesthetically
pleasing volume contour.
It's important to note that the
lollipop incision does leave behind scars, encircling the areola and extending
vertically below it. The scar tissue around the areola typically blends well
with its natural border, making it inconspicuous. The visibility of the
vertical scars, however, depends on individual skin attributes and their unique
fading process over time.
4) Anchor
An anchor incision method is employed in the case of third-grade
mastoptosis. Third-grade mastoptosis is characterized by significant breast
sagging, so a substantial amount of skin removal is necessary by a wide arrange
of incision.
As a result, incisions are strategically placed not only vertically
beneath the areola but also encircling it and along the inframammary fold.
While this method does result in multiple scars, its effectiveness in
addressing extensive sagging makes it a preferred choice, as it achieves
impressive breast elevation with relatively minimal incisions.
For individuals with particularly large breasts, combining breast augmentation with a breast lift can yield favorable outcomes. Moreover, by excising both the sagging skin and overstretched fatty tissue, the breasts can be lifted to a higher position. This comprehensive approach ensures a more youthful and aesthetically pleasing breast contour.
Surgery case of Dr. Jeon
There is an example of a patient who performed a breast lift at our clinic.
This patient is a case of third-degree mastoptosis in which the nipple is located 4 cm below the inframammary fold.
Surgery Plan
Use an ‘anchor incision’, elevate a wide area of the sagging breasts as much as possible, preserving the volume of the existing breasts to create a lifted and aesthetically pleasing contour even from the side. The large nipples are also redesigned to a size that complements the breast size and then sutured 4 cm above the original nipple position.
Surgery Result
I have adjusted the size of the breasts to match your existing physique and lifted them to the most ideal height possible. I used an anchor incision method but minimized the horizontal scar length while maximizing the overall appearance. Considering your original nipple size, which was both large and light in color, I tailored the nipple size and symmetry to achieve the most ideal breast appearance.
Although your breasts had some sagging, there was a certain amount of volume, which I preserved while removing the excessive tissues. As a result, I did not need to use implants, as the surgery allowed for the creation of a beautiful, voluminous contour.
Both breasts' sizes, heights, and symmetries were balanced exceptionally well during the surgery, and you will be able to observe a pleasingly contoured appearance from the front and sides.
Post-operation Precautions
At our clinic, removal of stitches if performed 2 weeks after breast lift surgery. During these initial two weeks, as the scars haven't fully healed, it's important to be cautious while moving your body. We recommend wearing a supportive bra that helps lift and wraps your breasts. Additionally, strenuous activities or lifting heavy objects are prohibited, as well as raising the arms or making vigorous movements.
Please note that smoking is strongly discouraged after surgery, as it negatively affects skin regeneration and scar management.
Today, I provided explanations regarding the diagnosis, surgical procedure, and an actual case of breast lift surgery. I hope this information has been helpful to you. We are always here to support your confident beauty. If you have more concerns or questions, please feel free to reply or inquire for consultation.
Thank you for reading this lengthy message.
Sincerely yours,
Dr. Jeon Ji-in, Girin Plastic Surgery
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