Breast Lift

Breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, restores a more youthful appearance to a woman’s breasts. Over the years breasts can lose their shape and firmness due to pregnancy, nursing and loss of skin elasticity, causing them to sag. Mastopexy will raise and reshape breasts—slowing the effects of aging and gravity. This procedure can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple.

Breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, restores a more youthful appearance to a woman’s breasts.

Mastopexy is occasionally performed in conjunction with breast augmentation (implants) to increase breast firmness and size, however, results of a combined procedure are somewhat less predictable. This may appeal to women who have lost breast volume after pregnancy. Pregnancy and nursing often result in stretched skin and therefore decreased volume. If you are planning a future pregnancy, it is advisable to postpone your breast lift as pregnancy will likely cause further stretching.

As with all plastic surgery, realistic expectations and emotional stability are important. Though breasts of any size can be lifted, women with smaller breasts enjoy longer lasting results.

The Procedure

Though not a simple operation, mastopexy is normally safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. Mastopexy is occasionally performed in a hospital, but more often is done in an outpatient facility. Breast lifts are usually performed under general anesthesia.

The surgery may take between 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. The most common approach involves an incision along the natural contour of the breast where excess skin will be removed. The nipple and areola are then repositioned. The skin surrounding the areola is brought together to reshape the breast, with stitches around the areola and the lower breast area.

Possible Complications

As with any surgery, there are possible complications. These include, but are not limited to, bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, wide or hypertrophic scars, keloids, pain, numbness, asymmetry, recurrent ptosis, loss of the nipple, or loss of nipple sensation. The risk for complications is increased in patients that smoke and in patients that have mastoplexy and breast augmentation at the same time.

For best results, follow your physician’s advice both before and after surgery.

After Surgery: What to Expect

After surgery, your stitches will be covered with a dressing. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and you may experience some mild discomfort for a couple of days. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication.

After a week or two, the stitches will be removed. Some noticeable, permanent scarring is normal, but is usually covered by your bra or bathing suit. The scars may be red and lumpy for a few months, eventually fading and becoming less obvious.

To ensure proper healing, plan to stay at home for several days before returning to work. You will need to avoid lifting anything for 3-4 weeks and avoid strenuous sports for a month.