Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
What is breast lift surgery?
Breast lift, technically called mastopexy, is surgery that raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.
Enhancing your appearance with a breast lift
A woman's breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:
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Pregnancy
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Breastfeeding
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Weight fluctuations
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Aging
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Gravity
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Heredity
Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is youthful and uplifted.
What breast lifts don't do
Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast. If you want your breasts to look fuller, consider breast lift and breast augmentation surgery. If you want smaller breasts, consider combining breast lift and breast reduction surgery.
Breast lift candidates
Is it right for me?
Breast lift surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else's desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.
A breast lift is a good option for you if:
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You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight
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You do not smoke
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You have realistic expectations
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You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag, have lost shape and volume
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Your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous
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When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease
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Your nipples and areolas point downward
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You have stretched skin and enlarged areolas
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One breast is lower than the other
Breast lift recovery
After your breast lift procedure is completed, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. You’ll need to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal.
A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect after breast lift surgery.
You will be given specific instructions that may include:
How to care for your breasts following surgery , medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with your plastic surgeon.
Be sur e to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual mastopexy recovery period.
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Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
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What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
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Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
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When will they be removed? Are stitches removed?
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When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
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When do I return for follow-up care?
Breast lift procedure steps
What happens during breast lift surgery?
Your mastopexy surgery can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques. The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:
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Breast size and shape
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The size and position of your areolas
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The degree of breast sagging
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Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin
Step 1 - Anesthesia Medications are administered for your comfort during breast lift surgery. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 - The incision
There are three common incision patterns:
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Around the areola
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Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
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Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease.
Step 3 - Reshaping your breasts After your doctor makes the incisions: The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness. The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height. If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter. Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.
Step 4 - Closing the incisions After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed. Some incision lines resulting from breast lifts are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time. Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.
Step 5 - See the results
The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade.
Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for breasts which have been restored to a more youthful and uplifted position.
What to expect during your breast lift consultation
The success and safety of your breast lift procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. You’ll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.
Be prepared to discuss:
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Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome
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Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
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Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
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Previous surgeries
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Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies
Your mastopexy surgeon may also:
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Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
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Examine your breasts, and may take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, placement of your nipples and areolas
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Take photographs for your medical record
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Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
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Discuss likely outcomes of breast lift surgery and any risks or potential complications
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Discuss the use of anesthesia during your breast lift
Preparing for breast lift surgery
Before mastopexy surgery, you may be asked to:
Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
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Take certain medications or adjust our current medications
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Get a baseline mammogram before surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue
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Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
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Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding