Droopiness or ptosis of the breast is classified according to the relationship between the nipple and the inframammary fold, the crease beneath the breast.
In the "normal" breast, the nipple lies above the inframammary fold and on the mound of the breast.
In first degree, or minimal, ptosis the nipple lies at the level of the fold.
In second degree, or moderate, ptosis the nipple is below the fold but is still above the lowest part of the breast.
Third degree, or major, ptosis, is seen when the nipple lies below the fold and at the lower part of the breast. If the nipple is above the fold but on the lowest part of the breast it is described as pseudoptosis.
The treatment is mainly determined by how much droopiness is present. In other words the severity, or amount, of ptosis changes the operation used.