There are varied motivations for a breast lift, from a desire to augment the body contour, correct breast reduction after maternity due to breastfeeding, balance differing sizes due to several causes, to reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy. This surgery is based on the implant below the gland (subglandular) or below the pectoral muscle, depending of the specific body characteristics.

Types of implants

Breast implants are composed of a surface of flexible silicon and filled with a variety of materials, being the most common silicon gel and saline solution.

Each of these materials has its own advantages and disadvantages. Among the key advantages of silicon is its consistency, while the saline the saline can be easily dissolved by the body should the implant be ruptured.

Scientific studies perfomed up to day revealed that none of this implants produce cancer nor any type of self-immune deseases.

About the procedure

The operation basically consists on the placement of the implant inside a special pocket carved beetween the gland and the muscle, or below the muscle.

The procedure could be performed with local or general anesthesia.

The incision might be perfomed around the areola, so called periareolar; it could be placed in the proximity of the crease where the breast and chest come together, called an inframammary inicision; or it could be placed in the natural folds of the skin in the armpit, called transaxillary incision.

A scar will remain at the incision that might be more or less apparent depending on the reaction of the patient's skin.

Most people can go home within the day or the day after.  You may be discharged with a surgical drain to help remove excess fluids from the site while it heals.  You can expect to wear a surgical bra for several days.

As with any surgery, there is risk of complications related to infection or reaction to anesthesia. Excessive bleeding may also occur, as well as complications on the scars, and related to the implant itself, such as volume reduction and foldings in the case of saline ones. With proper precautions by the surgical team, complications are typically minimized or prevented.

Heavy lifting or straining should be avoided after surgery because this can cause the breasts to swell and increase pressure.

You can typically return to work within a week and to full activity within a few weeks. Sensation in your nipples may be reduced temporarily, but should return to normal as your breasts heal.

Breast feeding usually is not hindered; however, it is important to ask the doctor about breast feeding during your initial consultation. There are no known alterations to fertility by this procedures.