Human Surgeryes: Brest Lift/Mastopexy Surgery

Mastopexy (breast lift) surgery denotes a group of elective surgical procedures designed either to lift or to change the shape of a woman’s breasts. Besides lifting the breast tissue and removing skin, a mastopexy might also include repositioning the areola and the nipple. In practice, a mastopexy can be effected as a discrete surgery, or as a subordinate surgery comprehended within a breast augmentation done for the emplacement of breast implants. The physical changes afforded by a mastopexy — the position and shape of the breast, by the (re) distribution of the existing breast tissues — are temporary, because the effects of gravity and of aging will continue acting upon the patient’s body, causing ptosis to recur in the course of time.

Mastopexy surgery procedures

Full breast lift

The full breast lift involves an incision along the crease underneath the breast, incisions around the areola, and a vertical incision between the areola and the base of the breast, called “anchor incision” and “inverted-T incision”. This technique removes excess skin, elevates the breast, and often reduces the size of the areola, and thus allows effecting maximal changes to the breast. As such, it is the most widely used, traditional surgical technique because it consistently produces the desired breast shape and breast position upon the chest wall.

The three, distinct scars, consequent to this mastopexy technique, are in three locations; each has a characteristic pattern of healing. In the peri-areolar area, the scarring is partially concealed by the lighter-to-darker change in skin color at the transition from the breast skin to the pigmented skin of the areola. The vertical, anchor incision from the areola to the breast crease can be hidden in shadow. The inframammary portion of the scar, that courses along the inframammary fold of the breast, often is the thickest of the three surgical scars, but it can be hidden in that fold. Moreover, although the coloration of these scars fades, they do remain visible, in most cases.

Modified breast lift

The modified breast lift effects the same transformation as a full breast lift, but with fewer consequent scars; yet, it is potentially limited, because the plastic surgeon can effect fewer changes to the shape of the breast. In surgical praxis, the modified mastopexy surgical technique often is performed as part of a breast augmentation. There are several, variant modified breast lift techniques: (i) the “Benelli breast lift” (“doughnut lift”), which is a concentric mastopexy that involves removing a ring of skin from around the areola in order to limit scarring of the areolar area; (ii) the “crescent lift” that also removes a ring of tissue from around the areola, but which takes more tissue from the area above the areola, thereby raising the nipple and areola on the chest wall; (iii) the “lollipop lift”, which involves an incision around the nipple and areola, with a vertical scar extending to the inframammary fold, the crease underneath the breast; and (iv) a “doughnut lift” variant that includes removing excess skin from underneath the breast.

How long will the results last?

Unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight or become pregnant, your new breast shape should remain fairly constant. However, gravity and the effects of aging will eventually alter the size and shape of virtually every woman's breasts. If, after a period of years, you again become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo a second breast lift procedure to restore their more youthful contour and appearance.

Results of a Breast Lift

Breast lift surgery will make your breasts firmer and more uplifted. The position of your areolas and nipples will be enhanced, and the size of your areolas will be aesthetically pleasing.

The incisions from your breast lift surgery will heal and fade over time. It is important to realize, however, that the incision lines will be permanently visible. In some instances, they will eventually be only faint lines. Certain individuals may have incision lines that are more noticeable. Fortunately, the incisions for your breast lift are in locations easily concealed by clothing, even low-cut necklines.

When can I resume my normal activities?

After breast lift surgery, it is often possible to return to work within a week or so, depending on your job. In many instances, you can resume most of your normal activities, including some form of mild exercise, after several weeks. You may continue to experience some mild, periodic discomfort during this time, but such feelings are normal. Severe pain should be reported to your doctor.

Any sexual activity should be avoided for a minimum of one or two weeks, and your plastic surgeon may advise you to wait longer. After that, care must be taken to be extremely gentle with your breasts for at least the next several weeks.

Am I a good candidate for a breast lift?

You may be a good candidate for breast lift surgery if you have one or more of the following conditions:

breasts that are pendulous, but of satisfactory size
breasts that lack substance or firmness
nipples and areolas that point downward, especially if they are positioned below the breast crease

Sometimes these conditions may be inherited traits. In certain cases, the breasts may have developed differently so that one breast is firm and well positioned while the other is not. There may be differences in the size of your breasts as well as their shape. Breasts that are large and heavy can be lifted, but the results may not be as long-lasting as when the procedure is done on smaller breasts.

A breast lift can be performed at any age, but plastic surgeons usually recommend waiting until breast development has stopped. Pregnancy and breast-feeding may have significant and unpredictable effects on the size and shape of your breasts. Nevertheless, many women decide to undergo breast lift surgery before having children and feel that they can address any subsequent changes later. Since the milk ducts and nipples are left intact, breast lift surgery usually will not affect your ability to breast-feed; however, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeons.

I understand that every surgical procedure has risks, but how will I learn more so that I can make an informed decision?

The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your plastic surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office.

Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include bleeding, infection and reactions to anesthesia. Following a breast lift, sometimes the breasts may not be perfectly symmetrical or the nipple height may vary slightly. Minor adjustments often can be made at a later time. Permanent loss of sensation in the nipples or areas of breast skin may occur rarely. Revisionary surgery may sometimes be helpful in certain instances where incisions may have healed poorly.

You can help to lessen certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after surgery.

Breast lift surgery information

Commonly referred to as a breast lift or boob lift, mastopexy surgery raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.

Enhancing your appearance with a breast lift

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
Heredity

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 youthful and uplifted.

What breast lifts don't do

Breast lift surgery 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, consider breast lift and augmentation surgery. If you want smaller breasts, consider combining breast lift and reduction surgery.

Is it right for me?

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