Breast Lift - Mastopexy

What is Breast Lift?

Mastopexy (Breast Lift)

This surgical procedure is designed to reshape the breast. It is usually an option provided to women who while happy with the general size of their breast, wish to have sagging and laxity of the breast tissue/skin corrected.

It may be used to correct asymmetry that is the result of abnormal development or it may be used to help match a normal breast with a reconstructed breast. Combination with a breast implant (augmentation mammoplasty) may allow correction of both the excess skin while increasing breast volume. Other effects and goals achieved with mastopexy include reduction in areolar size and correction of their position and orientation.

Mastopexy is regarded as a cosmetic procedure and is therefore generally undertaken because patients choose to have it done rather than for any specific symptoms. It is surgery that is preferably performed in healthy people in accredited surgical facilities and usually under general anaesthesia but can be performed with local anaesthesia and sedation. It may be performed as day surgery.

When consulting your surgeon about the possibility of undergoing mastopexy complete disclosure of significant health problems and medications (in particular "blood thinning" agents such as aspirin, warfarin, clopidegrel) is important as well as previous breast surgical procedures any previous radiotherapy and any tendency to bad scarring.

Various scar techniques and procedures have been developed to achieve correction of breast ptosis (sagging). These include circumferential scars around the areola only (periareolar), short scar techniques with scars around the areola and a vertical scar and techniques with three scars (periareolar, vertical and horizontal). Your surgeon should discuss with you the most suitable technique. It should be remembered that all techniques leave scars. They will be red and a little raised for several months. Their severity will improve with time.

Massage to help flatten them may commence once the wounds are healed. Post-operatively there will be some discomfort. Usually oral analgesia is enough to control pain and this may be assisted with the use of a supportive bra. Bruising and swelling can be expected and will settle over a 2-6 week period. The wounds themselves should be healed within 10-21 days. Return to work and routine exercise should be increased gradually over a 2-6 week period

As with all surgeries complications can happen, these will be discussed with you during your consultation

Other Breast procedures