Mastopexy
Source: https://www.plasticsurgery.org
A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.
New statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show breast lifts have grown 70% since 2000, outpacing breast implants 2-to-1.
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 more youthful and uplifted. 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
What breast lift surgery can’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 breast augmentation surgery.
If you want smaller breasts, consider combining breast lift and breast reduction surgery.
Who is a good candidate for breast lift surgery?
Breast lift surgery is a highly individualized procedure. You should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else's desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.
Who is a good candidate for breast lift surgery?
You may be a candidate for breast lift surgery if:
You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight
You do not smoke
You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag or 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
What are the risks of breast lift surgery?
The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of breast lift surgery are acceptable.
You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any breast lift risks and potential complications.
Breast lift risks include:
Anesthesia risks
Bleeding or hematoma formation
Infection
Poor healing of incisions
Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
Breast contour and shape irregularities
Breast asymmetry
Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
Fluid accumulation
Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Possibility of revisional surgery
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all of your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.
Breast lift and breast implant placement
Some women may want to consider placement of a breast implant in addition to the breast lift.
An implant can provide improved upper breast fullness or cleavage. Implants can be placed at the same time or as a second procedure, depending on the experience of the surgeon.
What are the steps of a breast lift procedure?
Your breast lift procedure can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques.
The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:
Breast size and shape
The size and position of your areolas
The degree of breast sagging
Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 – The incision
There are three common incision patterns:
Around the areola
Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease
Step 3 – Reshaping your breasts
After your doctor makes the incisions:
The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness.
The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height.
If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.
Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.
Step 4 – Closing the incisions
After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed.
Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.
Many women desire the smallest scar possible. However, your plastic surgeon will recommend the incisions which best suit your anatomy.
Listen to your surgeon and do not diminish your result by demanding an incision that will not be appropriate for you.
Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.