The breast lift, more formally known as a mastopexy, is an operation that is chosen when a patient has experienced sagging and loss of firmness in her cleavage. Age, weight loss, pregnancy and breast-feeding can all lead to a chest that sags and nipples that face downward rather than ahead. It's been established that an excess of skin creates such an effect.

The ?lift? of the procedure begins with a surgeon making incisions on key areas of each breast and removing this extra skin. The surgeon then moves the nipple and areola to a slightly higher spot. Skin that had been located above the original nipple area is moved below the new nipple area, which helps create a new, firmer shape. The procedure is more ideal for women with fairly large and heavy breasts, since smaller sizes may not be lifted in a way that has long-term results. The technique of incision can also vary based on the original size and shape, but the principle remains the same. The operation usually takes two hours or less, and patients leave the hospital during the same day. A high-protein may diet aid in recovery.

The breast lift is commonly performed in conjunction with breast implants, but is viable all on its own. Unless the patient gains a great deal of weight, the effects of a breast lift can last much longer than that of implants. The lift is also a procedure that can be repeated years later. For best results, however, the operation is recommended for women who don't plan to become pregnant afterwards.

Prior to the breast lift, the plastic surgeon will want to know not just the dimensions of a patient's breasts, but also her skin quality and medical history. This includes pre-existing conditions, any previous surgeries, drug allergies and current medications. Women who have reached a certain age ? or who have a family history of breast cancer ? may be urged towards a mammogram prior to the lift and then another one afterward. This is not because the operation increases cancer risk, but because the tests can clearly indicate whatever changes in breast tissue have resulted. Also, women who smoke are advised to stop smoking two weeks prior to surgery and to avoid anti-inflammatory drugs, since these pills can cause bleeding.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the most common complication afterwards is a change in nipple sensation, which is almost always temporary. This group also reports that in 2008, more than 118,000 women received breast lifts. This is a figure up from 60,000 in 2001, which, in itself, had been an increase of more than 200 percent since 1997.