All Procedures
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Useful information for patients on Breast Lift (Mastopexy) procedures
What Is a Breast Lift?
A mastopexy, commonly known as a breast lift, is a surgical procedure designed to raise and reshape sagging breasts caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, gravity, or aging. These factors commonly cause the skin to lose elasticity and the breasts tend to fall (mammary ptosis).
The procedure removes excess skin and reshapes the breast tissue to create a firmer, more lifted appearance. If breast volume is low, a breast implant may be added at the same time. The surgical technique used depends on breast size, shape, and skin quality.
Being treated by a qualified professional means they have the necessary knowledge and experience to minimize risks and achieve an effective outcome. However, even the best and most experienced specialists can still encounter setbacks and complications.
Who Is It For?
A breast lift may be suitable for patients who:
- Have sagging or downward-pointing breasts
- Experience loss of breast shape or firmness
- Are in good general health and have realistic expectations
Some conditions, such as high blood pressure diabetes or clotting disorders, may require additional medical assessment before surgery.
Preparation
Before surgery, patients typically undergo:
- Medical assessment and consultation
- Smoking cessation
- Discussion of scarring and expected outcomes
Useful Information
Ensure you consider all aspects of a procedure. You can speak to your surgeon about these areas of the surgery in more detail during a consultation.
Length
How Long Is the Procedure?
Typically 2-3 hours.
Anesthesia
Do I Need Anesthesia?
General anesthesia is typically used.
Inpatient/Outpatient
Is The Procedure Inpatient or Outpatient?
The patient can leave the surgical facility the same day after recovery from anesthesia or the day after wearing a special fitted bra.
Additional Information
Risks may include:
- Bleeding
- Wound healing issues
- Scarring
- Pain
- Partial or total nipple loss
- Asymmetry
- Changes in nipple sensation (usually temporary).
- Wound dehiscence (the opening of the surgical incision)
Scars are permanent, but if you follow your plastic surgeon's advice regarding pre-and postoperative care, they will become much less noticeable over time.
If due to a healing problem, the scars become wide and bulky, a correction under local anesthesia from 6 months onwards would be advisable.
These risks are minimized with appropriate patient selection and surgical technique.
Patients are advised to rest for 48-72 hours. Swelling may last 4-6 weeks. Return to work is usually possible after 7-10 days. Exercise can resume after 6-8 weeks.
Follow-up visits and consultations will be scheduled by your surgeon, typically including one final visit before the patient is discharged; there are always at least 1 or 2 more check-ups, especially if there are sutures to be removed.
Breast mastopexy is associated with high patient satisfaction and improved self-esteem with a low rate of complications.
Results are long-lasting but not permanent. Pregnancy, weight changes, and aging may affect results over time.
Please note that individual results vary from patient to patient due to factors such as age, skin quality, body type, and overall health. To understand what results you can expect, consult with a qualified plastic surgeon.