New plastic surgery statistics released this week by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show that breast lift procedures are growing at twice the rate of breast implant surgeries. In fact, since 2000 breast lifts have grown by 70 percent, outpacing implants two-to-one!

Dr. David Cangello, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Director of Plastic Surgery at the renowned JUVA Skin & Laser Center in New York feels this statistic is commensurate with the overall increase in cosmetic surgery procedures that has been seen over the last 10 - 15 years - primarily from women after undergoing childbirth, breast feeding, weight reduction and general aging.

"Overall women are seeking ways to look more youthful and a breast lift does exactly that. It lifts and reconfigures the breast, using existing tissue, into a more youthful shape and position on the chest," said Dr. Cangello.

In addition, bariatric (weight loss surgery) has also grown tremendously over the last 10-15 years. "Significant weight loss often leaves the breasts looking deflated and droopy. This has probably been a large driver in prompting women to pursue breast lift surgery," the doctor said.

According to the new statistics, women between the ages of 30-54 made up nearly 70% of the breast lift procedures performed in 2013. But just how would a woman know if she was a good candidate for a breast lift? A simple pencil test can answer the question.

To perform the pencil test, a woman simply places a pencil under her breast.  If the breast tissue holds the pencil in place against the chest it implies that there's a hanging nature to the breast that can be fixed with a lift.

If the pencil falls it implies that the breast has lost volume. It also typically appears somewhat flat on the chest (particularly in the upper half of the breast).  Then, often times, an implant is needed along with a lift in order to really rejuvenate the breast so that it appears more youthful. 

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