What is breast ptosis correction? Many women experience breast ptosis after breastfeeding. If it's not severe and the breasts have become smaller, augmentation mammoplasty can be used to correct the condition simultaneously. If there's no significant reduction in breast size or if the ptosis is severe, then mastopexy (breast lift) is required. This involves making an incision around the areola, reshaping the mammary gland, and suspending the breast tissue on the chest wall. This surgery leaves no scars and results in aesthetically pleasing breast shapes.
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Breast ptosis is a physiological phenomenon commonly seen in women after childbirth and breastfeeding. Due to the enlargement and subsequent shrinkage of breast tissue and connective tissue, the skin elasticity of the breasts decreases, and the supporting ligaments stretch out. This not only affects the shape of a woman's chest but also causes inconvenience in daily life and work. Through surgery, the loose skin can be tightened, and the sagging breast tissue can be lifted, resulting in firmer breasts.
The drooping and looseness of the breasts impair the curves of a woman’s body. More seriously, it can cause feelings of inferiority, affecting mental health. Some people experience inconvenience due to heavy ptotic breasts, leading to neck and shoulder discomfort, and even skin erosion or eczema in the folds of the breasts. Therefore, corrective treatment is necessary.
Breast ptosis is a physiological phenomenon, commonly observed in middle-aged and elderly women who have been pregnant and breastfed. It occurs when the mammary glands and connective tissues enlarge and then shrink, causing the skin to lose elasticity and the support structures to stretch under the weight of the enlarged breasts. This leads to breast laxity and downward drooping, giving them a bag-like appearance.
Breast ptosis can be classified into three degrees based on its severity:
- Grade I: The nipples are parallel to the inframammary fold.
- Grade II: The nipple position is below the inframammary fold but above the lowest point of the breast.
- Grade III: The nipple is at the lowest point of the breast. However, in some cases, such as in large distal breast hypertrophy, although the ptosis is severe, the nipple is not at the lowest part of the breast, and this is still considered Grade III ptosis.
There are generally three types of breast ptosis based on their external appearance: spindle-shaped breast ptosis, triangular scarf-shaped breast ptosis, and bullhorn-shaped breast ptosis.
Spindle-shaped breast ptosis is characterized by a shortened transverse diameter at the base of the breast. The circular coronal plane at the base of the breast is smaller than that at the distal end of the breast, resembling a spindle. This type of breast ptosis is caused by the herniation of breast tissue into the subcutaneous area of the areola, often accompanied by macromastia syndrome. It is commonly seen in middle-aged and young women who have breastfed.
Triangular scarf-shaped breast ptosis presents as a flat breast, resembling a triangular scarf hanging on the chest wall. The coronal plane at the base of the breast is elliptical, with the longitudinal diameter greater than the transverse diameter. There is no obvious herniation of breast tissue into the subcutaneous area of the areola. This type is commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly women, especially postmenopausal women.
Bullhorn-shaped breast ptosis has similar coronal planes at the base and distal ends of the breast, or the distal end may be slightly smaller. The longitudinal diameter is longer, and the nipple is located at the lower line of the breast, resembling a bull's horn. In this case, the fibrous and fatty tissues in the breast increase relatively, while the mammary gland tissue decreases. The breast feels denser, and the skin elasticity is good. This type of breast ptosis is commonly seen in young women.
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Methods for correcting breast ptosis include various surgical techniques such as dermal fixation, breast uplift, and double-circle fixation. The basic principle of these methods is to lift and fix the sagging breast tissue and remove excess "skin and areola" to achieve a normal breast appearance. However, since removing skin can lead to visible scars, modern approaches increasingly favor the double-circle method, which leaves minimal scarring at the junction of the areola and skin, fading over time.
It should be noted that relying solely on breast augmentation to correct ptosis is not advisable because breast augmentation does not lift or fix the breast tissue and skin. It merely temporarily increases skin tension by enlarging the breast volume. As swelling subsides, continued skin laxity and breast tissue descent can result in unnatural, aesthetically displeasing "double-peak breasts."
Recommended expert for breast ptosis correction:
Professor Li Lin, Director of Quanzhou Huamei Plastic Surgery Hospital, Lifetime Member of the International Medical Beauty Association, Committee Member of the National Craniofacial Plastic Surgery Society.
Professor Li has served long-term at the Fourth Military Medical University in Xi'an and holds four national patents in plastic surgery, including the "Patent Breast Augmentation" (Patent No.: 200520084733200720027339.600215794.2 00215793.4), earning him the title of "God's Hand of Chinese Breast Augmentation." He is one of the "Four Major Experts in Facial Contouring in China," alongside Ai Yufeng, Liu Dale, and Gui Lai.
He has over 20 years of professional experience in plastic surgery, published more than 30 academic papers, and is designated as Fujian Province's expert for cosmetic repair due to his extensive clinical experience and high medical ethics.
[Specialty Projects] Facial contouring, wrinkle removal, breast surgery, non-surgical cosmetic procedures.