BREAST LIFT

What is a breast lift?

Breasts may lose elasticity and sag over time because of age, pregnancy and weight changes. Breast lift, or mastopexy, is surgery to lift, reshape and tighten them. It can also improve asymmetry and other imperfections. Breast lift can be combined with breast augmentation or reduction. Results are noticeable immediately, but there are risks.

Why do people get breast lift surgery?

As we age, our breasts change. They may lose elasticity, causing your breasts to stretch, sag or droop. Causes include:

Aging.
Breastfeeding (chestfeeding).
Genetics, or sagging breasts “run in the family.”
Gravity.
Pregnancy.
Significant weight loss.

Mastopexy can make your breasts look firmer and more youthful. A breast lift can also correct perceived imperfections, such as:

Areolas that face downward.
Nipples that point in different directions.
Uneven or asymmetrical breasts.

Will a breast lift procedure change the size of my breasts

A breast lift alone won’t change the size of your breasts. But the procedure is often combined with other surgeries to make them larger or smaller. If you want to increase breast size, consider breast augmentation (implants). For smaller breasts, consider breast reduction.

What happens before breast lift surgery?

Before you have mastopexy, you’ll meet with a plastic surgeon. You and the surgeon will discuss:

Your goals.
Your medical history, including health conditions, allergies, previous surgeries and mammogram results.
Whether you or anyone in your family has a history of breast cancer.
Any medications you’re taking, including blood thinners, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs.
Use of alcohol, tobacco or recreational drugs.

Your surgeon will also:

Examine and measure your breasts.
Draw on the area with a marker or pen.
Take pictures of your breasts.
Review your options for mastopexy and make recommendations.
Talk about anesthesia to control pain and discuss the risks of surgery.

If you’re a good candidate for a breast lift and decide to move forward, your surgeon’s team will ask you to sign a consent form. By signing it, you give permission to your surgeon to perform the procedure. You also agree that you understand the risks of the procedure and have realistic expectations.

Before surgery, your plastic surgeon may ask you to:

Get blood work or have a physical exam with your primary care provider.
Have a mammogram.
Stop smoking and using tobacco products.
Stop taking certain medications (for example, aspirin, NSAIDs and herbal supplements).

What happens during mastopexy?

Most breast lifts take place in a surgical center or hospital. The procedure usually lasts an hour or two, depending on how much work is being done.

The surgical team will:

Give you a hospital gown to wear.
Position you on a surgical table.
Administer anesthesia to control pain.
Clean and prep your skin in the surgical area.
Mark your skin with a pen or marker.
Make incisions (cuts) around your areolas and possibly downward or outward from there.
Cut, reposition or shape tissue and excess fat to create the look you want.
Lift and tighten muscles by sewing them.
Move your areola and nipple higher.
Trim away extra skin, tissue or muscle as needed.
Close any incisions when the procedure is complete.
Apply bandages and possibly a surgical bra to support your breasts as they heal.

What does a breast lift incision look like?

Your surgeon will recommend the type of incision for you based on:

Breast size and shape.
How elastic or stretched your skin is, and how much extra skin you have.
How much your breasts sag.
Areola size and placement.

What is breast lift recovery like

After a breast lift, you’ll have some discomfort, swelling and bruising. Your skin may feel tight. These effects get better over time and last about two weeks.

If you had drains near the incisions, your healthcare team will remove them a few days after the procedure. Incisions may take several months to heal fully. Some surgeons prefer you to sleep on your back for a few weeks. Check with your surgeon about this.

When can I go back to work and other activities?

Your surgical team will give you personalized instructions based on your surgery and recovery. Many women go back to desk work and gentle activities such as walking about a week afterward.

You may not be cleared for vigorous activities, such as lifting things, exercising and having sex, for up to six weeks.

Usually, women can wear a regular bra about eight weeks after surgery.

How long will the results of a breast lift last?

The results of a breast list should last for several years. But your breasts will still experience the normal effects of aging over time. Pregnancy and weight changes may affect the results of mastopexy.