All women, at some point in their lives, have to face the significant toll that age and gravity take on the youthful appearance of their breasts. Weight loss or gain, or even breastfeeding, doesn’t help the problem. When a woman becomes self-conscious of her sagging and drooping breasts, she is often too embarrassed to undress in front of another person.

Today’s market has many items that will help a woman look better temporarily – at least while wearing clothes. Underwire and padded bras, and even breast forms, will increase her cleavage and lift her breasts. Unfortunately, embarrassment can still be a factor if she has to take her clothes off. These products just can’t provide the same results that a plastic surgeon can with a surgical procedure called a breast lift.

A breast lift will remove the loose skin and unwanted fat from saggy, drooping breasts. The tightened tissue will then lift the breasts, presenting a youthful, perky vitality. This truly fantastic procedure can provide a woman with a renewed self-confidence in her appearance, allowing her to not shy away from taking off her clothes in front of others.

A combination of surgical procedures can give an even greater boost in rejuvenating the appearance of a woman’s breasts – a breast lift and a breast augmentation. Besides eliminating sag and droop, the surgeon can augment the size and shape of the breasts with implants.

At this time in the United States,saline and silicone gel implants are all that are available on the market for unrestricted use. There is another type of implant – made of a cohesive gel – but the FDA has not yet approved their use, and it will be many years before they do so. However, one can get them now by participating in a FDA clinical trial.

If you decide to undergo a breast lift, your surgeon will advise you which type of incision he can make. The three most popular are the Benelli (also called the concentric), the Benelli lollipop, and the crescent.

The Benelli (concentric) cut circles the bottom of the areola and nipple. The surgeon removes excess skin and draws tight the breast tissue, gathering it together underneath the areola. By cutting close to the areola, the scar is not as visible.

The Benelli lollipop is a vertical cut usually used if there is more sag and excess tissue below the areola. This scar is more visible because it extends from the base of the areola down to the fold or crease on the underside of the breast.

Just as its name implies, the crescent incision is cut from left to right in the crescent-shaped fold of skin beneath the breast. This is the most invasive incision, most often used when there is a lot of sagging tissue.

This article is not intended to provide medical advice. It is only intended as a source of basic information. While the internet is a source of tremendous information, you should not rely on it to make a surgical decision. Only obtain medical advice and recommendations from a licensed, board-certified plastic surgeon. If you wish to learn more about a breast lift, most qualified surgeons will provide you with a free initial consultation.