Patients who undergo breast lift surgery in Kenya frequently are seeking help as their breasts started sagging unnaturally (breast ptosis, droopiness). Breast lift usually can solve these problems by improving the size and shape of your breasts. Following breast lift, your breasts will be more proportional to the rest of your body, and clothes will fit you better, and you will see a more natural and youthful projection of your breasts.
Summary
General anaesthesia
Operating time about 2 hours
Daycase or hospital stay 1 night
Back to work within 1 week
Compression support bra for 6 - 12 weeks
Full exercise after 4 - 6 weeks
Am I a good candidate for breast lift?
Breast lift can be performed at any age. Commonly you might have experienced a life-long struggle with all the problems associated with oversized breasts, and now you feel it is time to do something about it. Ideally, you should have stabilized your weight.
Sometimes ptotic breasts cause problems from an early age, but we usually recommend waiting with surgery until breast development has been completed. Pregnancy and breast-feeding may have significant and unpredictable effects on the size and shape of your breasts, which might decrease in size again over time. Sometimes the size stays too large to be comfortable, at which stage breast reduction surgery can be performed concurrently with the lift. Nevertheless, many women decide to undergo breast lift before having children.
During the consultation, you will be asked about the results you would like to achieve from your breast lift surgery. This will help us to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved.
You may be a good candidate for breast lift if you have one or more of the following conditions:
large hanging breasts with nipples and areolas pointing downward (sagging or breast ptosis)
breast asymmetry: one breast is much larger than the other
backpain, neck or shoulder discomfort due to the weight of your breasts
skin irritation underneath your breasts
restriction of physical activity and exercise due to the size and weight of your
dissatisfaction or self-consciousness about the sagginess of your breasts
Breast lift – the operation
There are a number of different techniques used to perform a breast lift, depending on the size, amount of ptosis and your expectations of the results. In almost all cases of breast lift, a method is used to reduce the amount of scarring.
The minimal scar breast lift: vertical scar lift
The superomedial or vertical pedicle in breast lift; elevation of the areola; minimal scarring
Circumareolar lift for smaller lifts
Lipofilling or lipotransfer for more cleavage
The minimal scar breast lift: vertical scar lift
Using the safest and aesthetically most pleasing method of the vertical lift with superomedial or vertical pedicle, the incisions and subsequent scars will run around your areola, and from there downwards, curving slightly outwards towards the under-breast fold. Using this type of incision, complications such as wound breakdown are reduced greatly. In much larger breasts, it is occasionally necessary to extend the incision into the fold underneath your breast (anchor- or small inverted T- incision).
In all lifts, the nipple-areola complex (NAC) is repositioned upwards to the original position and the breast skin is drawn around the areola to define your new breast contour. Usually in a breast lift, breast tissue does not need to be excised in order to tighten and mold the breast into a new and natural shape. The areola, which in large ptotic breasts usually has been stretched, is also reduced in size. The amount skin removed will depend on the final breast shape that you have agreed with us. We usually recommend a size and shape that will fit the proportions of your body.
The superomedial or vertical pedicle in breast lift; elevation of the areola; minimal scarring
The nipples and areolas remain attached to underlying mounds of tissue, and this allows for the preservation of sensation. The ability to breast-feed will also be preserved by this method. Sometimes it might be necessary to shape the lateral sides of your chest using liposuction, in order to improve the contour.
Circumareolar lift for smaller lifts
If you only need a mild or modest breast lift, or there is an asymmetry between the breasts, the incision needed might just be around the areola, which is sutured again after excision of the excess skin and tissue. This technique is suitable when only a small amount of tissue needs to be removed and the breast needs a lift.
Lipofilling or lipotransfer for more cleavage
In some cases, you might want to choose an additional procedure of lipofilling of the upper portions of your breasts using fat taken by liposuction from elsewhere. This will enhance your cleavage as it fills the décolleté with more substance, giving you a fuller and more youthful breast.
After the breast lift - Your recovery
You will be admitted on the day of surgery, and your length of stay depends on your recovery. Usually, you will stay in the hospital for a day only or for 1 night.
You will have tape dressings applied to stabilize your breasts. A small drain (plastic tube attached to a suction bottle) will have been placed to drain excess wound fluid and blood from each side. The drains will usually be removed after 1 day. Most people do not find breast lift surgery to be painful.
On the day following surgery, we will encourage you to mobilize gently. You will also be fitted with a special support bra to gently support your breasts. You will be encouraged to wear this for 6 - 12 weeks following the operation.
You will be mobile from day one and should be back to full exercise within six weeks. Stitches will NOT be as they are absorbable. Most people have a few days off work following a breast lift procedure, depending on the type of work you do. It is important in the first 4 weeks to avoid any strenuous activities which can cause stretching to the incisions and disturbance of the new shape.
We will keep a close eye on you after your surgery and would normally see you for your follow-up appointments at regular dressing clinics every 2-3 days, and 3 weeks and then 6 weeks following surgery, at which point your post-operative photographs will be taken.
Results after breast lift
Breast lift often makes a dramatic change in your appearance. Most women feel very pleased with the results of surgery, they often start to exercise again and enjoy new hobbies. Of all plastic surgical procedures, the level of patient satisfaction resulting from breast lift is among the highest. However, your breasts may require some time to assume a more natural shape – this might take as long as 3 months for the final result to become apparent.
A breast lift operation is considered a permanent solution to reshape droopy breasts. Unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight or become pregnant, your breast size should remain fairly constant. However, gravity and the effects of aging will eventually alter the size and shape of virtually every woman’s breasts over the years. You may choose to undergo a breast “lifting” procedure to restore their more youthful contour at that stage but this might not be necessary.
The incisions from your breast lift surgery will heal and fade over time. It is important to realize, however, that the incision lines will be permanently visible, more so in some individuals than others. Ideally, the scars will heal well over time and will then be well concealed. Any scar goes through a maturation process, which takes a year to complete.
What complications can occur?
Whilst these operations are generally safe in the hands of a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon and regarded to be highly successful, there are, as with any operation, risks involved and the possibility of complications that patients need to consider.
Finding postoperative pain will vary from person to person, but this is generally not considered as a painful procedure.
Most patients are delighted with the physical and cosmetic improvements that breast lift brings. It is impossible to guarantee that a particular cup size will result. There will be minor asymmetries between your breasts and the scars. Occasionally patients will bleed immediately after the operation and need to go back to the operating room for this to be dealt with. Wound healing problems can occur, particularly in the anchor scar procedure where the horizontal and vertical scars meet. All breast lifts result in some scarring although the nature of the scars will depend on the technique that has been used. Most patients will form good quality scars over time, but occasionally and unpredictably some patients will get lumpy scars that do not improve unless treated. Especially in African skin, hypertrophic or keloid scarring can occur, in which case appropriate treatment will be initiated.
Most wound problems are minor and can be managed with simple dressings. However, more major wound problems can arise such as infections, skin loss, wound separation and delayed healing. Wound problems, if they occur, can delay your recovery and result in worse scarring. You may notice that you feel less sensation in the nipple and areola areas. This usually is temporary. It may, however, take weeks, months or even more than a year before sensation returns to normal. Using the scar-sparing breast lift techniques it will still be possible to breast-feed, but this ability might occasionally be lost.
Smokers are strongly advised to discontinue smoking several weeks prior to surgery and after the operation, as smoking increases the risks of complications and delays wound healing by altering blood circulation in the skin. You can reduce your risks of complications by closely following our instructions before and after the surgery.
Breast lift cost
The cost of breast lift surgery depends on your circumstances and the technique we will perform.
For more information on breast lift costs, we invite you to book a consultation session with Dr Stasch. During this confidential appointment, we can discover more about what you would like to achieve and find out if breast lift surgery is right for you.
The silicone implants may last between 10-20 years however many are removed sooner due to cosmetic concerns after the body has undergone changes of ageing, or rarely because of late complications like capsular contracture.
Breast silicone implant do not cause breast cancer, as confirmed by many international studies. Indeed, some women might be more aware of their breasts and possible changes because they have implants, and as such, breast cancer can even be detected earlier. A rare cancer has recently been associated with breast implants: anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) – but this is really uncommon.
Silicone implants are the most commonly used breast implants worldwide, especially Europe and Kenya. Saline implants are more favoured by US Plastic surgeons. We at Vitality Fountain Clinic favour silicone breast implants in Kenya, since we are familiar with them, having used silicone implants for more than 15 years. They also tend to be more stable without the risk of leaking, feel more natural, and have less “rippling” occurrence. An advantage of saline implants is that they are cheaper.
This happens extremely rarely, especially when we wait for everything to have healed and settled down for about 6 months after breast enlargement. During the consultation, Dr Stasch will discuss with you in great detail the possible sizes of your breast, using sizers and discussing possible outcomes. After that, the consistency of the implant will be discussed, as well as the projection. We have many before and after pics that help the decision of what the desired outcome will be. During the surgery, different sizes will be available and the best fit will be selected, according to the previously agreed parameters. If the breast still doesn’t show the desired shape and size after complete healing, a possible revision surgery can be arranged.
Breast implant illness (BII) is a concern that some woman will raise, that they feel the implants is making them feel ill in various ways. It is as yet not a recognised medical disease, but a lot of research is going into this topic which we Plastic Surgeons take very serious. The FDA have reviewed all evidence but have yet not found any consistent link or definition of breast implant illness, but have recognised that the symptoms of some affected patients indeed disappeared when the implant and capsule were removed.
Winnie Garang
19 December 2023
The customer service is wonderful and everyone is very nice and Kind. Doctor Tilman is very knowledgeable and a wonderful surgeon.I feel lighter, happier and very grateful to him and the team. My experience from the word go has been amazing.
Ekeno Ntabo
13 December 2023
Dr. Stasch has changed my life. I am happier, more confident and grateful that cosmetic services are locally available. He was very professional, and i especially apreciate the care i got during my procedure, both before and after. Highly recommended.
chrissie W
13 December 2023
I could not be more happy with my results. Dr. Stasch is a genuinely kind person and his staff is helpful .
sharon odera
30 November 2023
My appreciation to Dr Stasch from my consultant period to successful leg grafting surgeries. I would highly recommend him and his team for their impeccable services. I would definitely do this again if I need to.
solanna camille
6 November 2023
I had a liposuction and tummy tuck. Dr. Stasch is super friendly, very professional.The surgery went well, recovery as well. The staffs are super nice very professional, always willing to help. I would highly recommend vitality clinic to anyone
Adhiambo Okumu
17 October 2023
My breast reduction is a dream come true and no longer a manifestation. And I could not think of a better doctor for the procedure than Dr. Tilman having consulted 8 years earlier and to now finally go through with it. I felt cared for and supported before, during and post op by Dr. Stasch and the team
I interacted with at Vitality. I am super pleased with the results and my new breast size is beyond my expectations: no more back pains, my posture is improved, dresses fit better and most importantly the unexplainable joy. Truly life changing. Asante Dr. Tilman.
M. S. S.
21 September 2023
I went to Dr. Stasch`s marvellous Vitality Fountain clinic today. I went there for recurrent mole mapping, Microneedling treatment and a also vitamin drip i. V.
Feeling like new. This is how Spa and health procedures should be done.
Definitely warm recommendation and will for sure come again!
Munish Mehta
18 September 2023
I came with no hope as my wound was really bad. Some docs told me it would not be possible to stitch. Dr Tilman took me in and over a few weeks worked on my wound and stitched it !! Now I’m pain free and the wound has healed !! Thankyou Dr Tilman and your team
Nadia Chaudhry
11 September 2023
Good service and very friendly staff. Highly recommended for I magic drips
AHK Transport
7 September 2023
Hat's Off to the treatment and care I was given at vitality fountain clinic. They gave me a new life and healed my wounded toe, which I almost lost. God bless them all a million fold over ..
we will assist you
Quick Contact
Dr. Tilman Stasch
For further information about what is involved in this type of procedure, please contact us.
