MastopexyA breast lift — also known as mastopexy — is a surgical procedure performed by a plastic surgeon to change the shape of your breasts. During a breast lift, excess skin is removed and breast tissue is reshaped to raise the breasts.

You might choose to have a breast lift if your breasts sag or your nipples point downward. A breast lift might also boost your self-image and self-confidence.

A breast lift won’t significantly change the size of your breasts. However, a breast lift can be done in combination with breast augmentation or breast reduction

Who is a good candidate for Mastopexy?

As you get older, your breasts change — losing elasticity and firmness. There are many causes for these kinds of breast changes, including:

  • During pregnancy, the ligaments that support your breasts might stretch as your breasts get fuller and heavier. This stretching might contribute to sagging breasts after pregnancy — whether or not you breast-feed your baby.
  • Weight fluctuations. Changes in your weight can cause your breast skin to stretch and lose elasticity.
  • Over time, gravity causes ligaments in the breasts to stretch and sag.
  • Your breasts sag — they’ve lost shape and volume, or they’ve gotten flatter and longer
  • Your nipples — when your breasts are unsupported — fall below your breast creases
  • Your nipples and areolae point downward
  • Your areolae have stretched out of proportion to your breasts
  • One of your breasts falls lower than the other

Pre-OP for Mastopexy?

  • Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
  • Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
  • Get a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one after surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue
  • Stop smoking
  • Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Breast lift surgery may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient or ambulatory surgical facility or a hospital

Mastopexy procedure

In general, the surgery involves these steps:

  • You’ll be marked by the surgeon in the standing position to determine the new lifted position of the nipple on your breast.
  • You’ll get a medicine called anesthesia to relax you and relieve pain. You’ll be asleep during the surgery. This is called general anesthesia.
  • The surgeon will make an incision (cut) around the areola. The cut will usually extend down the front of your breast, from the bottom of the areola to the crease. It may also extend along the sides of the areola.
  • The surgeon will lift and reshape your breasts. Afterward, the surgeon will move your areolas to the correct position on the new breast shape, and may also reduce their size.
  • The surgeon will remove any extra skin to give your breasts a firmer appearance.
  • Finally, the surgeon will close the incisions with stitches, sutures, skin adhesives, or surgical tape. Surgeons usually try to place incisions in parts of the breast where they will be less visible.

Post-OP for Mastopexy

Start walking as soon as possible, this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.

  • Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications (narcotics).
  • Do not drive for 3 weeks; after 3 weeks, only drive a car with automatic shift and power steering.
  • Do not drive until you have a full range of motion with your arms.
  • Limit the use of arms and over the head activity until seen at your 1st postoperative visit
  • No heavy lifting greater than 5 pounds for 4 weeks.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise and activities for 6 weeks. • Employment activities can be resumed in 4 weeks (this will vary depending on your type of work).
  • There may be postoperative pain, temporary bruising, discomfort, numbness, dry breast skin, swelling and discoloration.
  • Maybe some loss of sensation in the nipples. • Scars will fade in several months to a year.

Recovery

Your breasts may be swollen and sore for a few weeks after your surgery. Your doctor will give you medication to relieve the pain. You can also hold ice to your breasts to relieve swelling and soreness.

You will need to wear a surgical bra or a non-wire bra for two to three weeks after your surgery. You’ll also need to sleep on your back propped up by pillows to keep your chest raised.

The soreness, bruising, and swelling should go away after a few weeks. Your breasts may take between 2 and 12 months to reach their final shape.

The soreness, bruising, and swelling should go away after a few weeks. Your breasts may take between 2 and 12 months to reach their final shape.

Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for two to four weeks after your surgery.

Risks

A breast lift poses various risks, including:

  • While scars are permanent, they’ll soften and fade within one to two years. Scars from a breast lift can usually be hidden by bras and bathing suits. Rarely, poor healing can cause scars to become thick and wide.
  • Changes in nipple or breast sensation. While sensation typically returns within several weeks, some loss of feeling might be permanent. The erotic sensation typically isn’t affected.
  • Irregularities or asymmetry in the shape and size of the breasts. This could occur as a result of changes during the healing process. Also, surgery might not successfully correct pre-existing asymmetry.
  • Partial or total loss of the nipples or areolae. Rarely, the blood supply to the nipple or areola is interrupted during a breast lift. This can damage breast tissue in the area and lead to the partial or total loss of the nipple or areola.
  • Difficulty breast-feeding.While breastfeeding is usually possible after a breast lift, some women might have difficulty producing enough milk.