Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

What is Mastopexy?
A breast lift—or mastopexy—is a surgical procedure to raise drooping breasts, reduce the size of an enlarged areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple) and, in most patients, add firmness and projection to the breasts through insertion of a saline filled or silicone-gel filled implant. Without insertion of an implant to add fullness, the breast can still droop; it merely does so higher on the chest. Likewise, an attempt to correct a significantly sagging breast using an implant alone, without removal of breast skin or elevation of the nipple, would be akin to putting a ball in a sock.

Who is a good candidate for Mastoplexy?
Breast lift surgery is most often considered by patients in their late 30's to early 50's who desire firmer, shapelier and more youthful-looking breasts. The ideal candidate is a woman who wants the operation for herself in countering the effects that pregnancy, nursing, fluctuations in weight, gravity and natural aging have had on the appearance of the breasts and on her self-esteem.

The Procedure
A breast lift takes 2-1/2 to 4 hours and is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. For each breast, an anchor-shaped incision is made from above the nipple downward to the crease line. A second incision is made around the areola. Excess skin is removed and the nipple is moved to its new, higher position. Another incision is made along the crease of each breast, through which a pocket is created behind the chest wall and the implant is placed. A few absorbable sutures help anchor the implants in place; after which, thin drain tubes are inserted for several days to remove any excess fluid. The skin formerly above each nipple is then brought down and together to reshape the breasts. Typically a round implant, the size of which depends on the diameter of the chest, body height and weight, and personal preference, is used to maximize projection.

Recovery
Surface sutures and staples used to close the incisions come out in the course of three weeks following breast lift surgery. A surgical bra must be worn for several weeks to give support and minimize bruising and swelling. During this time, the chest may feel heavy and achy, and you may experience some loss of feeling in the nipples and breast skin. Typically, any discomfort can be controlled with cold compresses and pain medication, and sensation should begin to return within six weeks.

It can take a month or more for the chest to relax and the implants to settle into their natural position. Light activity often may be resumed within a week of surgery; however, strenuous activity involving heavy bending or lifting should be avoided for at least three to six weeks.