Noticed that your breasts have started to sag? Don’t panic: sagging breasts are part of a change in breast appearance that most women experience, especially as they get older. However, it can still be an unnerving experience for women who are determined to keep their breasts looking as perky as before.
A quick search on the Internet throws up many different solutions to sagging breasts. These range from home remedies to breast lift surgery – some even describe ways to prevent breasts from even sagging in the first place. However, it is difficult for laymen to figure out which ones are just myths, and which actually hold some truth to them.
In order to clear the misconceptions and answer all your burning questions on the topic, we consulted a medical expert from TL Plastic Surgery Clinic – Dr. Yim Joonghyuk.
Dr. Yim is the director of TL Plastic Surgery Clinic, which was established in Seoul in 2011. The clinic is located in the Gangnam region – an area famous for reputable plastic surgery clinics. Dr. Yim has dedicated his entire career over the last 20 years to breast surgeries, and is known for producing natural-looking results. His expertise in this area will help to shed light on the myths and misconceptions surrounding sagging breasts.
Home remedies & prevention of sagging breasts: myth or fact?
FACT: Avoid wearing a bra too large to prevent breasts from sagging.
Some people wear bras that are a size larger so that they can sport fuller, bigger breasts. However, there are warnings about doing so, as wearing a bra that is too big for you is believed to cause the sagging of breasts. Although this claim may be a little hard to believe, there is some truth to it!
Dr. Yim shared with us the explanation behind this: when you wear a bra that is too large for you, you actually create extra space between the bra and your breasts. When you move during your daily activities, your breasts are being ‘pounded’ in the extra space and stretches out your skin, which causes your breasts to sag over time.
However, it does not mean that wearing a bra just right for you can totally prevent breasts from sagging. There are other factors that can cause sagging breasts, such as weight loss, smoking, and old age.
MYTH: Exercising can lift your breasts.
As motivational as the myth may sound, exercise is unlikely to lift your breasts, which are made of fat. As your breasts are not built with muscle, exercising cannot actually tone your breasts and lift them up.
However, that does not mean that you should totally give up on exercise. Chest exercises may help to improve the appearance of your breasts by strengthening the surrounding ligaments, which makes your breasts look more toned. The caveat, of course, is that it does not mean you can expect your breasts to be lifted back to its original position.
MYTH: Splashing cold water on the breasts will keep them permanently firm.
As bizarre as it sounds, there are people who tout the benefits of splashing water on the breasts in order to prevent them from sagging. The logic behind this myth is that cold water will cause the breast tissue to shrink, and hence lift the boobs, contributing to a perkier shape.
According to Dr. Yim, this remedy may help to increase skin’s elasticity and actually make your breasts look firm and lifted, but the results you see are only temporary.
Breast lift surgery: a medical solution
Now that we know breast sagging is a lot more common most home remedies and prevention methods do not hold much scientific truth to them, is it a gone case for those who want to lift sagging breasts?
We asked Dr. Yim if there are any medical procedures that may offer a solution to sagging breasts, and he shared about breast lift surgery with us. Breast lift is a medical procedure done in a hospital or outpatient surgical clinic by a plastic surgeon to lift your breasts, and this is done by removing excess skin and reshaping breast tissue.
Breast lift surgery is as riddled with myths and misconceptions as the topic of sagging breasts itself. For starters, breast lift surgery does not cause heavy scarring, contrary to popular opinion. The surgery may leave a few marks, but they tend to be minimal and not visible as an experienced surgeon can make the incisions on the underside of your breast.
There is also confusion over what breast lift is, and what it isn’t. While a breast lift can reduce sagging and raise the position of the nipples, its purpose is not to increase your breast size. If you want fuller breasts, then the more relevant medical procedure is breast augmentation. (Extra reading: Dr. Yim has also previously shared with us more about differences between breast implants.)
However, for those who are looking to get both fuller and lifted breasts, you may consider opting for breast augmentation with lift. This option may not be widely available and only offered at a number of clinics or hospitals. TL Plastic Surgery is one of the few clinics that offer this treatment and you can click here to find out more.
Breast lift clinics: what to look out for
TL Plastic Surgery Clinic
If you have decided on choosing a medical procedure to correct sagging breasts, your next question may be: how do I go about choosing a clinic?
There are no hard and fast rules in choosing a clinic to undergo a breast lift – it really depends on your priorities and preferences. That being said, Dr Yim shared with us that there are still some important things to take note of:
Safety procedures and doctors’ experience
For people who are considering a breast lift, you should look beyond just the costs of doing the surgery. Do thorough research on the clinics that you have in mind, and ensure that your surgery is conducted by licensed professionals in a proper medical setting.
Getting a consultation first
If you would like to speak thoroughly with a doctor before you make a decision, consider looking for a clinic that can provide you with a consultation. Through the consultation, you can better decide what would work best for you. You may also want to make sure that you are speaking with a certified medical professional: for example, TL Plastic Surgery Clinic links all prospective clients to the chief hospital director for counselling and operation cost inquiry.
During your consultation, be sure to explain why you want a breast lift and what you are hoping for in terms of appearance after the procedure. Also, make sure that you have a professional explain to you all the risks and benefits involved in the surgery.
Proper after-care
Besides choosing a clinic that has certified and experienced medical staff at the helm, another factor to consider is the after-care. As breast lift is a medical procedure, precaution should be exercised to ensure that your body is adjusting and coping well. There should also be proper follow-up by the clinic to ensure that you are getting the results you desire and that there are professionals available to speak with if you have any urgent questions.
Still unsure what exactly you should be looking for in an after-care system? We can look to TL Plastic Surgery Clinic for an idea: patients who have undergone a breast lift or breast augmentation with lift are given 1:1 customised care. Periodic check-ups are also done to prevent unwanted side effects. An exclusive therapist is also assigned to each patient to provide constant after-care, which could give ease of mind to those who are uncertain about how to care for their breasts after surgery.
This article is brought to you by TL Plastic Surgery.
