top of page

breast lift surgery

Anchor 5

BREAST LIFT SURGERY  l  MASTOPEXY

 

What is breast lift surgery?

 

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. 

 

Mastopexy, deriving its name from the Greek mastos “breast” + -pēxiā “affix”) is the plastic surgery mammoplasty procedure for raising sagging breasts upon the chest of the woman; by correcting and modifying the size, contour, and elevation of the breasts.

 

New statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show breast lifts have grown 70% since 2000, outpacing breast implants by a ratio of 2-to-1.  

 

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.

 

A woman’s breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness.  These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:

 

  • Pregnancy.

  • Breastfeeding.

  • Weight fluctuations.

  • Aging.

  • Gravity.

  • Hereditary.

 

What breast lift surgery won't do:

 

Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast, however it is not uncommon to go down a cup size after the surgery as the breasts are more ‘compact’ once lifted.  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

 

You may be a good breast lift candidate if:

 

  • You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight.

  • You do not smoke (one can undergo breast lift surgery if you do still smoke, but the complication rate is higher).

  • You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag or 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.

 

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.

 

Breast lift recovery

 

Light dressings will be applied to the incisions after the procedure is completed.  You’ll need to wear a 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. This typically gets removed the day after your 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 potential for infection.

  • Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health.

  • When to follow up with your Dr.Schoenfeld for wound checks and dressing changes.

  • Dissolving stitches are typically used so there is seldom a need to remove any stitches.

  • You will be able to resume exercise after 6-8 weeks.

  • You will be able to drive once your pain has settled sufficiently and this is typically after 7-10 days although recovery is variable between individuals.

 

Breast lift results

 

The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible, although the shape of your breasts will change in the months after surgery and this is taken into account intra-operatively.   Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade.

 

Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover from surgery.  The final results of your breast lift will appear over the next few months as breast shape and position continue to settle.

 

Incision lines are permanent but will continue to fade over time.   The results of your breast lift surgery will be long lasting.

 

Over time, your breasts can continue to change due to aging and gravity.

 

You’ll be able to retain your new look longer if you:

 

  • Maintain your weight.

  • Keep a healthy lifestyle.

  • Support your breasts with a good bra.

 

Following your physician’s instructions is essential to the success of your surgery.

 

It’s important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing and Dr. Schoenfeld will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

 

Breast lift surgery and pregnancy

 

Ideally breast surgery should be entertained after child bearing is completed.  Changes that occur in the breasts during pregnancy can minimize or reverse the improvement a breast lift provides, and although repeat lifting is possible at a later stage, it is significantly more risky.  Likewise, significant weight loss after breast surgery can negatively impact breast appearance.

 

Breast lift procedure steps

 

Your breast lift procedure can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques.  Breast Lift Surgery takes approximately 90-120 minutes.

 

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.

 

Step 1 - Anesthesia

 

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. 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:

Around the areola.

Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease.

Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to 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. The nipples are NOT typically removed and then stitched back on as seems to be a popular misconception.

  • If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.

  • Excess breast skin can be removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity if required.

 

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 lift 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.

 

Many women desire the smallest scar possible. However, Dr.Schoenfeld will recommend the incisions which best suit your anatomy.

 

Listen carefully to Dr.Schoenfeld’s advice and do not diminish your result by demanding an incision that will not be appropriate for you.

 

Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts.  Dissolving sutures, with / without surgical tape may be used to close the skin.

 

Step 5 - See the results

 

The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible.

 

Breast lift risks and safety information

 

The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of breast lift surgery are acceptable.  You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any breast lift risks and potential complications.

 

Breast lift risks include:

 

  • Anesthesia risks.

  • Bleeding or hematoma formation.

  • Infection.

  • Poor healing of incisions.

  • Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent.

  • Breast contour and shape irregularities.

  • Breast asymmetry.

  • Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis).

  • Fluid accumulation.

  • Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola.

  • Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications.

  • Possibility of revisional surgery.

 

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all of your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

 

Breast lift and breast implant placement

 

Some women may want to consider placement of a breast implant in addition to the breast lift.

 

An implant can provide improved upper breast fullness or cleavage.

Implants can be placed at the same time or as a second procedure, depending on the advice of Dr.Schoenfeld.

 

Your breast lift consultation

 

During your breast lift consultation be prepared to discuss:

 

  • Your surgical goals.

  • Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments.

  • Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use.

  • Previous surgeries.

  • If you have a family history of breast cancer.

  • The results of any mammograms or previous biopsies.

 

Dr.Schoenfeld 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, and placement of your nipples and areolas.

  • Take photographs.

  • Discuss your options.

  • 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.

 

Be sure to ask questions.

 

To help, we have prepared a checklist that you can take with you to your consultation.  It’s very important to understand all aspects of your breast lift procedure.  It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress.

 

Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with Dr.Schoenfeld.

 

Preparing for breast lift surgery

 

In preparing for breast lift 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.

  • Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements (including Arnica) as they can increase bleeding.

 

Breast lift surgery may be performed in an accredited surgical center, outpatient or ambulatory surgical facility, or a hospital.

 

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.

 

Breast lift words to know:

 

  • Areola:  Pigmented skin surrounding the nipple.

  • Breast augmentation:  Also known as augmentation mammaplasty, breast enlargement by surgery.

  • Breast lift:  Also known as mastopexy; surgery to lift the breasts.

  • Breast reduction:  Also known as reduction mammaplasty, reduction of breast size by surgery.

  • Excision:  To remove the skin.

  • General anesthesia:  Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.

  • Hematoma:  Blood pooling beneath the skin.

  • Intravenous sedation:  Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.

  • Local anesthesia:  A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.

  • Mammogram:  An x-ray image of the breast.

  • Mastopexy:  Surgery to lift the breasts.

  • Sutures:  Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.

bottom of page