Breast Lift: Mastopexy

If your nipples have descended to or below the level of the crease underneath the breasts then your breasts are regarded as ptotic or droopy and a breast lift or mastopexy may be done to improve the shape of your breasts. An important consideration if you are contemplating this procedure is to decide whether you are happy with the size of their breasts. A breast lift provides you with the opportunity to either increase or decrease the size of your breasts, either by removing tissue (in fact a breast lift and a breast reduction are very similar operations and both lift the breasts) or adding implants.

I perform mastopexy as a day case procedure (in and out the same day) in my own, private facility. I use women anaesthetists who will put you under a light sedation. This will be supplemented with local anaesthesia. You will be asleep, pain-free and unaware at the time of surgery and you will have a quick recovery.

Most women for breast lift require an incision which leaves a lollipop type scar – around the areola with a vertical limb extending down towards the crease underneath the breasts. Very minor degrees of droop can sometimes be done with an incision simply around the areola (especially when a concurrent breast augmentation is done) and severe degrees of droop may require an anchor shaped scar: the lollipop plus a scar in the crease, the same scar that is left with a breast reduction.

The surgery involves an un-wrapping of the breasts, dissection between the breast and the chest wall to elevate the breast and a re-wrapping of the breast in its new, elevated position. The nipple and areola are raised as well. The wounds are closed with dissolving sutures, tape is placed over the cuts and a dressing is applied. I do not routinely use drains for mastopexy. I frequently construct a tape bra which is left in place for a few days after surgery to give additional support and to control bruising and swelling to a degree. A post-operative surgical bra is used for 3 weeks after surgery. The operation is performed in the morning and takes me about two and half hours. You will recover in the afternoon in my recovery room and once you are up and about and I am satisfied, you will be discharged home.

Painkillers will be prescribed for post-operative pain. Bruising and swelling will last about 2-3 weeks and once this has subsided, you can resume your normal activities. Out of town patients can go home after 2-3 weeks. It does take a few weeks or months for the breasts to settle into their new shape.

Potential complications of surgery include bleeding, infection, wound healing problems, scarring, benign lumps, sensory changes and cosmetic issues.

Mastopexy can lift breasts which have been affected by pregnancies, breast feeding and gravity, but at the price of leaving scars on the breast. Although your breasts will be improved following surgery, the effects of ageing and gravity continue. You will still need to wear a bra after breast lift surgery.