Beauty Doc Blog

Over time breasts often begin to lose their youthful firm shape. Having a mastopexy, or breast lift plastic surgery, can uplift a patient’s appearance and boost their self-esteem. A mastopexy firms and raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening tissue to reshape a new breast contour.

Breasts may lose their skin elasticity from weight fluctuations, pregnancy, breast feeding, heredity, aging and gravity. A breast lift does not change the breasts’ size but lifts and raises them. An enlarged areola may also be reduced with a breast lift.

The best candidates for breast lift plastic surgery are in good physical health and maintain a stable weight. Patients should not smoke and should have realistic expectations about the outcome of the surgery. A mastopexy is helpful for breasts that:

• are pendulous or have a flat, elongated shape;
• unsupported nipples fall beneath the breast crease;
• one breast is lower than the other;
• the skin is stretched and the areola enlarged; and
• the areolas and nipples point downward.

Before a mastopexy, the patient will have a consultation with the plastic surgeon to discuss their expectations, medical conditions, previous surgeries and breast cancer history. The surgeon may evaluate the patient’s general health, examine the beasts and take measurement and photos and discuss the procedure and expected outcome.

Prior to surgery, the patient may need a medical evaluation, lab testing or a mammogram. Medications may need to be adjusted or stopped and patients who smoke should stop prior to surgery. The patient will need to have a ride to and from surgery and someone to stay with them for the night.

Various techniques and incision patterns are used during surgery based on the patient’s issues. Anesthesia may be general or intravenous sedation. The three common incision patterns used for a breast lift are around the areola, around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease and around the areola vertically down from the crease and horizontally along the crease. When the incisions are made, the plastic surgeon lifts the underlying breast tissue, reshapes the breast contour, repositions the nipple and areola and removed excised skin. The skin is tightened with incisions placed inside and outside the breasts.

After the surgery, bandages or dressings are applied. An elastic bandage or support bra is required to support the breasts as they heal and minimize the swelling. The plastic surgeon will provide individualized instructions for recovery including when the stitches will be removed and when the patient can resume everyday activity.

The results appear over a few months and are long-lasting, especially for patients who maintain a healthy lifestyle. A breast lift can uplift a patient’s appearance and spirits.