Breast Lift/Mastopexy
Breast lift procedures are performed when gravity or the effect of aging and maturity have caused breasts to become droopy or ptotic. A breast lift helps to restore a more youthful appearance to sagging breasts by repositioning the nipple, excising excess skin and reshaping the breast. The nipple position in a youthful and shapely breast is typically above the breast crease when standing upright. With changes in breast tissue related to maturity, weight, childbirth, breast feeding, or genetics, women with C or greater cup size breasts will oftentimes experience significant droop.
Mastopexy Overview
Also known as mastopexy, a breast lift raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. 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 more youthful and uplifted. Changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Weight fluctuations
- Aging
- Gravity
- Heredity
Your breast lift surgery can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques. The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:
- Breast size and shape
- The size and position of your areolas
- The degree of breast sagging
- Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin
Methods vary, but the most common methods involve either an "anchor" shaped incision if a larger amount of skin must be removed, or a limited “lollipop” shaped scar or one just around the areola that avoids an extensive incision under the breast should less skin be required to be excised. After excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are repositioned and the breast is re-contoured to create the best, most feminine, breast shape.
Candidates include women who have sagging breasts or stretched skin and less volume in their breasts. Breast lift procedures done alone are performed to improve the aesthetics without changing the volume. However, breast lift can also be performed in conjunction with implants to make small droopy breasts fuller and firmer. This is performed as an outpatient procedure, is done under IV or general anesthetic, and takes about 3 hours.
What it won’t do
Breast lift surgery by itself 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 or smaller, you might want to consider either breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery.
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:
- You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight
- You do not smoke
- You have realistic expectations
- You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag, have lost shape and volume
- Your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous
- When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease
- Your nipples and areolas point downward
- You have stretched skin and enlarged areolas
- One breast is lower than the other
Your Consultation
You’ll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.
Be prepared to discuss:
- Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome
- Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
- Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
- Previous surgeries
- Family history of breast cancer and results of any mammograms or previous biopsies
Your surgeon may also:
- Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
- Examine your breasts, and may take detailed measurements of their size and shape, skin quality, placement of your nipples and areolas
- Take photographs for your medical record
- Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
- Discuss likely outcomes of breast lift surgery and any risks or potential complications
- Discuss the use of anesthesia during your breast lift
Preparing for surgery
Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:
- Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
- Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
- Get a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one after surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue
- Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
- Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding
Special instructions you receive will cover:
- What to do on the day of surgery
- Post-operative care and follow-up
- where your procedure will be performed.
Breast lift surgery may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient / ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital. If your breast lift is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.
Options for Breast Implants
Implant type and size will be determined not just on your desired increase in size but more importantly on your breast anatomy, skin elasticity and body type.
Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water. They can be filled with varying amounts of saline which can affect the shape, firmness and feel of the breast. Should the implant shell leak, a saline implant will collapse and the saline will be absorbed by the body.
Silicone implants are filled with a cohesive gel. The gel feels and moves much like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel will remain within the implant shell. A ruptured implant filled with silicone gel will not collapse. If you choose these implants, an ultrasound or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants.
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Currently Saline implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women 18 years of age and older.
- Currently Silicone implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women 22 years of age and older.
- Saline or silicone implants may be recommended at a younger age if used for reconstruction purposes.
See www.breastimplantsafety.org for current information.
