Breast Lift Surgery

Introduction:
Breast lift or Mastopexy is surgical procedure to raise the position of the nipple on the breast and to tighten and reshape sagging breasts. Mastopexy will also reduce the size of areola. You should typically be through with breast feeding before having a breast lift because you may lose the ability to breast feed and you do not want to have your breasts stretch again after the surgery to avoid the chance of your breasts becoming saggy again. If you chose to increase your breast volume, you might be a candidate for a breast lift and augmentation combined.

Reasons for undergoing a breast lift:

• Loss of breast volume in a large breast envelope.

• Larger or saggier breasts may benefit from a lift to tighten the shape.

• Nipples that positioned lower on the breasts or that are asymmetric.

Personal consultation:
During your consultation, you will be asked about your breast and medical history in addition to your desired goals from surgery. Your plastic surgeon will examine you, take measurements and photographs and then review which procedure they recommend specifically for you. Your medical history will be to include medical conditions, medications you take, any allergies, medical treatments received, all previous surgeries medications that you take.

Risks involved:
There are risks with any surgical procedure but thankfully they are infrequent. There is a risk of infection, bleeding, pain, poor wound healing asymmetry and even the loss of one or both of your nipples due to poor blood supply. This list is by no means comprehensive and these should be discussed at your consultation and pre-operative planning visits.

Types of anesthesia:
Breasts lifts are typically performed under general anesthesia yet some plastic surgeons may utilize local anesthesia with sedation.

Surgical procedure:
A mastopexy typically takes approximately 2.5-3 hours. The most common procedure results in an anchor shaped scar around the areola, down the middle with a scar in the inframammary fold of variable length. The nipple and areola are moved to the higher, more anterior position while excess skin and possibly some breast tissue is removed from below. Other techniques involved a scar only around the areola (peri-areolar) or around the areola and down the middle (vertical or lollipop lift). Which technique is right for you will be determined between you and your plastic surgeon.

After your surgery:
After surgery you will typically wear a surgical bra over gauze dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen for a week or two. Pain should not be severe and can be treated with pain medications. Typically there are no sutures to remove and the tapes over your incisions will be removed at 2 weeks if they are still present. It will be weeks to months before you see what will be your final results. You should take it easy for a week or two but you are encouraged to stay well hydrated, drink plenty of liquids and stay mobile. Avoid strenuous sports or jarring activity for the first 6 weeks after surgery. It is important for you to realize that your breast tissue will stretch with time and if you have fluctuations in your weight or breast size, your breasts may become saggy again.

View breast lift photos.