A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts.  As a woman ages, skin loses some elasticity which can cause the breasts to lose their natural shape and firmness.  This procedure is designed to elevate the breasts and give them a more youthful appearance.  A breast lift may also be completed in conjunction with breast enlargement surgery (augmentation).

Reasons for Considering a Breast lift:

• Elevate the breasts due to sagging caused by the effects of aging  and gravity.
• Firm the breasts if they have lost substance due to pregnancy and subsequent breast-feeding.
• Re-align your nipples/areolas if they point down or to the side.
• Bring back natural contour after weight loss.

General Procedure

The breast lift surgical procedure usually takes one and a half to three hours.  How much of the breast is  sagging will determine the extent of the incisions.  Some patients, especially those with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions.  One such procedure is the "doughnut (or concentric) mastopexy" in which circular incisions are made around the areola and a doughnut-shaped area of skin is removed.  As the amount of sagging increases more incisions are required to lift the breast.  These incisions are underneath the breast in the crease called the inframammary fold and vertically up the middle. This incision is commonly called the anchor pattern.

What are the limitations of the surgery?

A breast lift or mastopexy cannot be done without scars as described above.  Another limitation is the  inability to maintain superior fullness of the breast.  If superior fullness is the desired outcome a breast lift needs to be combined with an implant.

What can I expect after surgery?

The results of a breast lift are visible immediately. The recovery after mastopexy is not difficult.  Because the chest muscles are not involved in the surgery the pain is not significant.  Usually, patients are off their prescription pain medications by day 3.  There is a moderate amount swelling and bruising which resolves within 10 days.

What are the risks of mastopexy?

The risks with mastopexy surgery are  rare .  As with other surgeries bleeding, infection and thick scarring can occur.  There can be more scars involved with mastopexy, especially with the anchor pattern.  Therefore,  great care is given to meticulous incision closure and smokers are warned about the deleterious affects  on healing.