Breast Lifts Gaining in Popularity

Breast enhancement procedure has grown 70% since 2000, say annual plastic surgery statistics

As factors such as aging, pregnancies and weight loss take their inevitable toll on the body, more women than ever before are looking to lift their breasts to a more youthful position. According to the latest statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), more than 90,000 Breast Lift procedures were performed by ASPS member surgeons in 2013. This amounts to a 70% jump in the last 13 years, highlighting the increasing popularity of breast enhancement using a woman’s own tissues to restore a firmer, more youthful appearance.

Though breast lifts have shown steady growth through the years, breast augmentation is still No. 1. Surgery using breast implants was the most-performed cosmetic surgery procedure last year, the ASPS says. The top 5 plastic surgery procedures in 2013 were breast augmentation, nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, liposuction and facelifts.

Breast Lift Techniques

Breast lift procedures are designed to remove loose, excess skin, tighten the remaining skin and reposition the areola to a more upright position. Depending on breast size and the degree of sagging, four basic techniques are used:

• Periareolar Breast Lift – Women with small breasts or who have minor breast sagging are candidates for this technique, which involves a crescent-shaped incision around the top of the areola.
• Circumareolar Breast Lift – Another technique for minor sagging involves a circular incision around the areola.
• Vertical Breast Lift – Women with larger breasts and moderate to severe sagging may benefit from this technique, which involves a V-shaped incision around the top of the areola and down the midline of the breast.
• Anchor Breast Lift – This commonly-performed technique achieves the greatest degree of lift for women with larger breasts and severe sagging. An anchor-shaped incision is made extending around the top of the areola and across the lower portion of the breast.

At your breast enhancement consultation, your surgeon will assess the amount of sagging to determine the specific breast lift, or mastopexy, technique that best meets your needs.

Breast Lift in Birmingham, Alabama

A breast lift at Hedden & Gunn Plastic Surgery with Board Certified Plastic Surgeons Dr. William Hedden and Dr. Stephen Gunn helps restore breasts that are firmer and more shapely to enhance your feminine appeal. Contact our Birmingham, AL Cosmetic Surgery practice today to schedule an examination by Dr. Gunn or Dr. Hedden and learn more about breast enhancement.