Surgery can aid breasts, but not forever

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DALLAS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- There are several plastic surgery options to enhance a woman's breasts, but no surgery permanently counters the effects of gravity, a U.S. plastic surgeon says.

Dr. Michel Saint-Cyr, who specializes in breast procedures at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, says pregnancy, nursing and the force of gravity take their toll over the years on a woman's breasts.

As skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag, Saint-Cyr says.

"Whether restoring or enhancing the female breasts, the key to breast surgery is to improve symmetry while enhancing the natural breast contour and shape," Saint-Cyr says in a statement. "It is important to have a board-certified plastic surgeon evaluate your breast tissue, skin elasticity and chest-wall dimensions to determine what procedures and options will work best."

Breast lift -- mastopexy -- can raise and reshape sagging breasts, though no surgery can permanently counter the effects of gravity, while breast implants also can be inserted in conjunction with mastopexy to help increase firmness and size, Saint-Cyr says.