Welcome to my website about breast lifts, also known as mastopexy.
If breast enlargement is carried out at the same time, then it known as augmentation mastopexy.
The breast lift operation has developed out of modern day breast reduction technique. Basically, in the mastopexy procedure the excess breast and areolar skin is removed but the breast tissue is left alone. With closure of the incisions, the breast and nipple areola is lifted. Breast enlargement can also be carried out at the same time with the insertion of the breast implant.
You obviously have been thinking about the breast lift or mastopexy operation for some time. The reasons for wanting this operation are well known to plastic surgeons. These are as follows:
Due to breastfeeding or weight loss, your breasts are probably droopy with stretch marks. This condition is known as breast ptosis. The volume of the breasts itself may or may not be adequate.
With age, your breast may have also drooped and the skin is rather loose. The shape of the breasts is not as perky as before.
Your nipples and areolas are probably pointing downwards instead of being in their original position pointing forward.
Your areolas are probably quite large.
You may have difficulty fitting properly into a bra because of the excess skin rolling out of the bra.
You may have sweating and discomfort underneath the breasts, associated with rashes and unpleasant smell.
You may be very self-conscious when undressing in front of your husband or partner.
What Can Mastopexy Do for You?
Your breasts will be lifted.
Your nipple areolas will also be lifted as well as pointing forwards instead of downwards like before the operation.
The shape of your breasts will also improve with new contour being created.
Your breasts will also be firmer.
The size of your areolas will also be reduced.
The volume of your breasts will also be increased with the use of breast implants if necessary.
You will be able to fit better into a bra.
Usually, your self-confidence and self-esteem will also improve.
The Basic Surgical Technique
As mentioned earlier, only the excess areolar and breast skin are removed. The breast tissue is left alone and certain anchoring sutures are used to lift the breasts. With closure of the incisions, firmness of the breast can be achieved. The volume of the breasts can also be increased with the insertion of a breast implant at the same time, if indicated.
The Resultant Scars from the Breast Lift Operation of Mastopexy
In the majority of breasts lifts, the resultant scar is an inverted T scar. This scar goes around the areola, vertically down from the lower border of the areola to the lower breast crease and horizontally, along the natural breast crease.
Occasionally, when there is less skin to be removed, it is possible not to have the horizontal breast crease scar. This would result in a lollipop shaped scar.
All breast lift or mastopexy scars are permanent. These scars will be red initially, but in the vast majority of cases, would take about a year or so to resolve. Sometimes, scar revision surgery may be required if the final scars are unsatisfactory.
Facts You Should Know Before, During ans After Breast Lift or Mastopexy
Smoking. Smoking increases the risks and complications, including wound healing and chest infection, therefore you should stop at least 3 weeks before the procedure.
Hospital stay. The hospital stay is usually overnight, although sometimes you can be discharged on the same day.
Time off work. If you are in a desk job then you should be able to return to work within a week. If your work is physical, then you will require two weeks off work.
Scarring. The scarring as mentioned earlier is usually an inverted T shaped scar, or anchor shaped scar. Sometimes, the scar is a lollipop scar. The scars are usually red initially but they improve and resolve over a course of over a year. There is usually bruising after the procedure and this will usually take about three weeks to settle.
Swelling. The majority of the swelling should settle in about three weeks. However it may take up to three months before all the swelling subsides.
Pain. There will be pain relief provided either with injections initially and later with oral medication.
Infection. This is uncommon. Antibiotics are given during and prescribed after the operation. If the infection is severe, loss of nipple and areolas can occur and reconstructive surgery will be required.
Tightness of the breasts. Initially, there will be a sensation of tightness of the breasts because of the swelling but as the weeks go by, this tightness should lessen.
Nipple sensation. Usually, the sensation after the breast lift or mastopexy does not change. Occasionally, the nipple and areola can be less or more sensitive.
Drains. Only very occasionally are drains used.
Final breast size. There will be a slight decrease in breast size, because only the skin is removed. Again, there is no guarantee that you will be happy with the outcome of the surgery.
Asymmetry. 100% of all breasts are asymmetric. Although all steps are taken to evenly match both sides, there will always be slight difference between left and right breasts. Occasionally a redo may be required to match up the volume of the breasts or adjust the differences in nipple heights.
Droopiness. This depends on your skin tone. If your skin tone is poor, then you have a higher chance of the droop of the lower half of the breast. Occasionally, more skin may need to be excised as a second stage procedure, if this droopiness occurs. Given time, there will always be some droopiness of the breast, with some fullness of the lower half of the breast developing. Risk of drooping is increased with combined enlargement surgery.
Breastfeeding. This is obviously not recommended although it is possible to do so. The reason is that more than likely, your breasts will sag afterwards.
Pregnancy. It is unpredictable how large your breasts will develop during and after pregnancy. There may be a chance that you may lose volume or the breast will become droopier.
Mammograms. You still can have mammograms and ultrasound investigations following the mastopexy procedure.
Wearing a bra. You should always wear a bra in upright position. Not wearing bra for long periods of time will eventually lead to increased droopiness of the breasts.
Finally, there is no guarantee that you will be satisfied with the outcome of the breast lift or mastopexy procedures. However, the majority of patients are very happy with the outcome of the procedure.
Complications of Breast Lift or Mastopexy
Infection. The chances of infection are low, but there is always the risk of this happening with it usually occurring at the junction of the horizontal and vertical limbs of the scar. This may lead to wound breakdowns, which in general are only small ones. Normally, this will heal spontaneously with dressings and antibiotic cover. Very rarely, would you require a skin graft to cover the raw area. Antibiotic cover is normally a routine cover after the surgery, and during surgery.
Loss of nipple and areolar tissue. This hardly occurs at all. If it does, it is usually due to significant infection. If this happens, it may require reconstructive surgery with the use of skin grafting as well as reconstructing the nipples at a later state.
Bleeding. Very rarely is there any bleeding after surgery that requires removing blood clots under general anaesthetic.
Deep vein thrombosis. This complication again, is very uncommon and stockings are usually worn until you are mobilised properly.
Chest infection. As a result of general anaesthetic, this rarely can happen and is treatable with antibiotics and chest drainage (physiotherapy).
