What is breast ptosis correction? Many women experience breast ptosis after breastfeeding. If it's not severe and the breasts have become smaller, breast augmentation can be used for correction. However, if there is no significant reduction in breast size or the ptosis is severe, mastopexy (breast lift) is required. This involves making an incision around the areola, reshaping the mammary gland, and suspending the mammary tissue on the chest wall. The surgery leaves no visible scars and results in aesthetically pleasing breast shape.
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Breast ptosis correction methods: Breast ptosis is a physiological phenomenon commonly seen in women after childbirth and breastfeeding. Due to the proliferation and shrinkage of breast glands and connective tissues, the elasticity of the breast skin decreases, and supporting ligaments stretch, leading to reduced skin elasticity. This not only affects the appearance but also causes inconvenience in work and life. Surgery can tighten loose skin and lift the descended breast tissue, making the breasts firmer.
The sagging of the breasts affects the curves of a woman's body and can lead to feelings of inferiority, impacting mental health. In some cases, heavy ptosis on one or both sides can cause discomfort in the neck and shoulders, as well as skin problems like dermatitis in the breast folds. Therefore, corrective measures are necessary.
Breast ptosis is a physiological phenomenon often seen in middle-aged and elderly women after pregnancy and breastfeeding. It occurs due to the enlargement of breast tissue followed by atrophy, which reduces the elasticity of the skin and supporting structures under the influence of gravity, resulting in breast ptosis resembling a bag.
Breast ptosis can be categorized into three degrees based on severity:
- Degree I: Breasts sag, and the nipples are parallel to the inframammary fold.
- Degree II: Nipples are below the inframammary fold but higher than the lowest point of the breast.
- Degree III: Nipples are at the lowest point of the breast. In some cases, especially when the lower part of the breast is enlarged, the nipple may not be at the lowest point, but this still qualifies as degree III ptosis.
There are generally three types of breast ptosis based on appearance: spindle-shaped, triangular scarf-shaped, and bullhorn-shaped.
Spindle-shaped breast ptosis is characterized by a shortened transverse diameter of the breast base. The coronal plane of the breast base is smaller than that of the distal end, resembling a spindle. This type of ptosis is caused by herniation of breast tissue into the subcutaneous area of the areola and often accompanies large areola syndrome. It is commonly seen in young and middle-aged women who have breastfed.
Triangular scarf-shaped breast ptosis presents as flat breasts resembling a triangular scarf hanging on the chest wall. The coronal plane of the breast base is elliptical, with a longer vertical diameter than the horizontal diameter. There is no obvious herniation of breast tissue into the subcutaneous area of the areola. This type is common in middle-aged and elderly women, especially postmenopausal women.
Bullhorn-shaped breast ptosis has a coronal plane of the breast base and distal end that are nearly equal, or slightly smaller at the distal end. The vertical diameter is long, with the nipple located at the bottom line of the breast, resembling a bullhorn. These breasts contain relatively more fibrous and fatty tissue and less mammary tissue, feeling denser with good skin elasticity. This type is commonly seen in young women.
Breast ptosis correction methods include various techniques such as dermal fixation, breast lift, double-ring fixation, etc. The basic principle is to lift and fix the ptotic breast tissue while removing excess skin to achieve a normal breast appearance. Modern techniques favor the double-ring method because it leaves minimal scarring around the junction of the areola and skin, which becomes almost invisible over time.
It is important to note that correcting breast ptosis solely through breast augmentation is not advisable, as augmentation does not lift or fix the breast tissue and skin. It merely increases breast volume temporarily, increasing skin tension. As swelling subsides, continued skin laxity and breast descent can result in an unnatural "double-peak" appearance.
Recommended expert for breast ptosis correction:
Professor Li Lin, Dean of Quanzhou Hua Mei Plastic Surgery Hospital, Lifetime Member of the International Medical Aesthetics Association, and Member of the National Craniofacial Plastic Surgery Society.
With over 20 years of professional experience in plastic surgery, Professor Li holds four national patents in plastic surgery, including "patented breast augmentation," earning her the nickname "God's Hand of Chinese Breast Augmentation." She is renowned alongside Ai Yufeng, Liu Dale, and Gui Lai as one of China's top four facial contouring experts. She has been invited multiple times to Japan, South Korea, and Europe for exchanges and lectures, publishing over 30 academic papers.
Her signature projects include facial plastic surgery, wrinkle removal, breast enhancement, and non-surgical cosmetic procedures.