Breast Lift

Mastopexy:

Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts--at least, for a time. (No surgery can permanently delay the effects of gravity.)

As women age and/or have children, their breasts tend to lose fat and the breast tissue begins to thin.  As the tissue shrink the skin does not and the breast sags and the nipple begins to droop down below the inframamary fold.  This is known as Breast Ptosis.  In severe cases of ptosis the nipple is severely below the fold and is pointing towards the floor.  This ptosis can be corrected by several types of procedures.

Procedures:

Breast Lifts are often combined with other procedures like a breast augmentation or Breast Reduction to achieve the desired results.  In some cases, the augmentation helps in stretching the skin so you may achieve a breast lift with shorter scars.  Many patients require a breast reduction as well as a breast lift to get the result they are looking for.  Below is a list of the standard mastopexy techniques. 

• Crescent Mastopexy
  • for mild breast sag (ptosis)
  • A crescent shaped piece of the excess skin is excised from above the nipple.  This tightens the apex of the breast and helps to point the nipple upward.
• Benelli Mastopexy
  • for mild to moderate sag (ptosis)
  • Also known as the peri-areolar or "doughnut" lift
  • A "doughnut" shaped piece of skin around the edge of areola is removed and surrounding tissue is sutured to the areola.  This is considered to be a less invasive method and is designed to put the scars around the areola.
• Vertical Mastopexy
  • for moderate sag (ptosis)
  • Also known as the "Benelli-Lollipop"
  • If the ptosis is too much for the Benelli and not enough for the Anchor then this procedure is used.  It is similar to the Benelli but with incisions made from  the inframamary fold to just under the areola.
• Full Anchor Mastopexy
  • The most commonly used technique
  • for moderate to severe sag (ptosis)
  • This involves an anchor-shaped incision that starts at the base of the areola to where the breast meets the rib cage.  This technique is similar to the one used in Breast Reduction except that no tissue is removed and only the skin is reshaped.  The example below is of an Anchor Mastopexy.

Over time, a woman's breasts begin to sag and the areolas become larger. All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk

Incisions outline the area of skin to be removed and the new position for the nipple.

Skin formerly located above the nipple is brought down and together to reshape the breast. Sutures close the incisions, giving the breast its new contour

After surgery, the breasts are higher and firmer, with sutures usually located around the areola, below it, and in the crease under the breast

If your expectations are realistic, chances are you'll be satisfied with your breast lift.

Recovery:

As with any surgery, bed rest is recommended for the first day.  The gauze dressing will be removed after a couple of days, and you will wear a sports bra for four weeks. The stitches are removed about two weeks after the surgery. Your breasts will be bruised, and you may experience temporary numbness around the nipples as well as random shooting pains. These conditions generally subside within several weeks. For the first few days, you need to limit your activities and movement in order to prevent breaking the stitches and stretching the scars. Most women can return to work about two weeks later, although overhead lifting and strenuous movements should be avoided for several weeks to ensure proper healing. Your physician will provide you with a schedule for resuming your normal routines. Most bruising, swelling, shooting pains and loss of sensation should subside within three to six weeks. However, it may take up to a year for your breasts to settle into their new look and feel. Over time, your scars will fade but may remain red and bumpy for many months. Finally you should continue with monthly self-examinations for breast cancer as well as regular mammograms as advised by your doctor.