Breast Lift
(mastopexy)
What It Does
A Breast Lift (or mastopexy) is often indicated for patients who have concerns
that their breasts have lost their youthful shape and firmness. Due to age,
gravity, weight loss, pregnancy, and other factors, breasts may sag or lose
their shape, become pendulous, have nipples and areolas that point downward,
or may vary in shape. A breast lift raises the breasts by removing excess skin
and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support a new breast
contour. A breast lift will also decrease the size of enlarged areolas and
ultimately provide a more youthful and uplifted breast profile.
A
breast lift alone will not significantly enlarge or reduce breast size, but
this procedure can be performed in conjunction with a small tissue reduction
or an implant if desired and appropriate.
Procedure Basics
Breast lift surgery may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical
center, an out-patient/ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital. If performed
on an out-patient basis, be sure to have someone available to drive you to and
from surgery and stay with you the first night following surgery.
Under general anesthesia, your surgeon will make incisions that may vary
based on your breast size and shape, position, and size of areolas, degree of
sagging, and your skin elasticity and amount of excess skin. The underlying
breast tissue is lifted and reshaped, nipples and areolas are repositioned to
a more youthful height (enlarged areolas may also be reduced in size), and
excess breast skin is removed. The breasts are supported and skin is tightened
with deep suturing and incisions are closed.
Recovery
You will be given specific instructions concerning post-surgical
medications, breast care, and when to follow up with your surgeon. The success
of your procedure and healing will be greatly enhanced by carefully following
your doctor’s post-surgical instructions. Be sure to attend any follow
up visits with your surgeon as directed.
In general, you will need
to care for the dressings and bandages applied to the incisions following your
surgery. Elastic bandages or a support bra should be worn to minimize swelling
and support the breasts as they heal. A small, thin tube, or drain, may be
placed under the skin temporarily to drain any excess blood or fluid that may
collect. The final results of surgery will appear over several months as the
breasts heal and settle and incision lines, although permanent, continue to
fade.
Additional Information
Although considering a breast lift is a personal choice, your plastic surgeon
will review your medical history and current health status to determine if a
breast lift is appropriate. Your surgeon will also discuss the risks of breast
surgery, which includes unfavorable scarring, changes in nipple or breast
sensation (temporary or permanent), excessive firmness, skin discoloration,
persistent pain, along with other possible side effects and risks.
If you are considering a future pregnancy after your breast lift, it is
important to know that your breast skin may stretch and offset the results of
the lift. You should also discuss any planned significant weight loss with
your surgeon, as this may also adversely affect the breast shape and position.
Additional Resources
There is a wealth of information available concerning breast lift surgery
provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (www.plasticsurgery.org)
; click on “Cosmetic” and choose from the list of procedures. The
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc. (www.surgery.org) also
provides in-depth information; choose “Procedures” for a list of
topics.
To schedule a consultation to discuss breast lift surgery
with Dr. Christine Kelley, please call 317/575-0330.