How to Measure if Your Breasts Are Sagging

As you age, your breasts may begin to sit lower down on your chest, and the skin of your breasts may feel less elastic. This sagging can be an aesthetic concern for many women.

Understanding the severity of your sagging can help you decide if the time is right for a restorative treatment such as a breast lift. This article will explore methods of measuring the droop of your breasts to give you a clearer picture of your needs.

At the CREO Clinic, our double board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Omar Tillo, has extensive experience in the field of breast lifts, having performed many successful lifts over his distinguished career.

The Pencil Test

A simple technique for indicating the severity of your sagging breasts is the pencil test. 

This test requires you to place a pencil in your breast crease, where your breast meets your chest. If the pencil can be held in place, this shows that you are experiencing some sagging, and a breast lift could be an effective solution.

If the pencil cannot be held in the breast crease, this may mean you are not experiencing any significant drooping. The pencil may also drop because you have smaller-sized breasts – if you’re unsure, seek the advice of a surgeon.

The Pinch Test

Another technique used to monitor the progression of breast sagging is the pinch test. It does so by ascertaining the height of the nipple compared to the breast crease.

To perform this test, you need to slide the tips of your ring finger and middle finger up into the breast crease, staying in line with the nipple. You must use the opposite hand to the breast you are testing, i.e. right hand to left breast and vice versa.

Once the tips of your fingers are in place, bring your thumb down to meet your fingertips, pinching the breast skin in between. If your thumb meets your breast skin above the nipple rather than below, you may be experiencing significant sagging.

What to Do if You Have Sagging Breasts

The aesthetic changes created by drooping breasts can be troubling and difficult to remedy, but cosmetic solutions can help mitigate these issues. One extremely effective treatment is breast lift surgery.

Get Perky Boobs With a Breast Lift

Time can remove your skin’s fullness and elasticity, leaving your breasts sitting lower, looking thinner and spreading asymmetrically on your chest. 

Whatever the cause of your drooping, whether a result of ageing, pregnancy, or breastfeeding, a breast lift can help return a youthful perkiness to your breasts. 

Benefits of a Breast Lift

A breast lift surgery can bring an array of invaluable benefits, such as:

• Restoring Shape – A lift can help fix uneven breasts, creating a more aesthetically pleasing breast shape. 
• Firming Up the Skin – Where your skin has become inelastic, a lift will tighten it up, creating a natural-looking fullness.
• Changing Nipple Position – Nipples that have changed position or have started to point downwards can be readjusted to sit higher on the breast.

How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?

At the CREO Clinic, a breast lift starts from £8,500. As the procedure is bespoke to your individual needs, a full cost breakdown will only become available after your initial consultation.

We also offer financing options, available through our partner, Chrysalis Finance.

Breast Lift Procedure

The incisions used in a breast lift will vary according to your specific needs.

A crescent lift, or a donut lift may be appropriate if your sagging is not too severe and the change required more modest. A lollipop lift or an anchor lift may prove a better fit for more drastic changes.

All procedures are performed under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will create an incision and then remove a section of skin – the shape and size of the skin removed will depend on the patient’s needs. The resulting gap will then be sutured shut, tightening the skin and raising your breasts to the desired level.

How Long is Breast Lift Recovery?

Breast lift recovery is different for everyone. Most women find they can return to work after ten days, then to a regime of light exercise involving just their lower half after two weeks. You can expect to be fully recovered after six weeks, at which point you can return to a full exercise regime.

When Can You See Breast Lift Results?

You will see the effects of your breast lift immediately after your surgery. To see the final results, your swelling must first subside completely, which can take between 6-12 months.

Is a Breast Lift Worth It?

If you are looking for a way to address sagging or drooping breasts, a breast lift is an excellent way to do so. Breast lift surgery can have transformative, long-lasting effects on your quality of life, which is why many women consider it worthwhile. 

Schedule a Consultation With CREO Clinic Today

If you wish to further explore the benefits a breast lift could have for you, book a consultation with Dr Omar Tillo, the CREO Clinic’s specialist body contouring surgeon.

Dr. Tillo will collaborate with you to understand your needs and body goals, then will work diligently to create a bespoke treatment plan to work towards achieving the best possible outcomes.