Breast lift surgery, mastopexy, can be used to raise and re-shape the breasts. There are various techniques which surgeons can use to ‘lift’ the breasts, depending on the severity of the sagging. Basically, though, excess skin is removed from the areola region, in order to tighten the skin surrounding the breast. In this way, the nipple and areola are elevated and the breast lifted.
Because every patient will have very specific ideas about how they want their breasts to look after breast lift surgery, it is vital that you discuss your expectations in detail prior to the procedure taking place.
The surgeon will need to examine and measure your breasts and explain the variables that might affect the operation and its success. You will need to learn about possible discomfort, healing time, side effects and so on and your surgeon will need to know all the details of your medical history. You might even be asked to have a mammogram before the surgery.
You will usually be given a general anesthetic for the breast lift surgery, which will take between ninety minutes and three hours to complete. An anchor-shaped incision will be made, following the breast’s natural contours. The surgeon will then remove excess skin and reposition the nipple and areola. The skin is then brought down, drawn together and the breast reshaped. For some patients who have smaller breasts or less sagging, it might be possible to have concentric mastopexy surgery, where smaller donut shaped incisions are made around the areola. It is also possible for patients to have a breast implant procedure carried out at this stage to provide extra shaping and smoothing of the skin.
After the operation, you will have an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over your dressings. Sutures are usually inserted around the areola and then downwards. Some of these will dissolve naturally; some may be removed after about one week. You should still expect to experience some pain, bruising, swelling and nipple numbness for a few weeks, when you will continue to wear an underwired support bra, to help prevent blistering of the post-operative tissue. It might be recommended that you apply moisturizer to your breasts several times each day to prevent the breast skin becoming too dry.
You can expect to return to work in about a week but you should certainly abstain from lifting or strenuous sports for a good deal longer. Your scars, which will be red and very visible for several months, should eventually fade considerably and become barely visible thin, white lines. Because of their position underneath the breast, they will not usually stop you from wearing low-cut tops or bikinis.
Although complications cannot be completely ruled out of any surgical procedure, breast lift surgery is generally a totally safe undertaking. Unwanted complications are rare but could possibly include excessive scarring, infection, poor nipple positioning or loss of sensation in the nipple. Your milk ducts should not be damaged in any manner so there is no reason why your ability to breastfeed in the future will be hindered. Bear in mind, however, that this surgery can never be permanent, although it should have an effect for several years.
A standard breast lift using the anchor-shaped mastopexy surgical technique will range between $3,148 and $6,500. Prices for concentric mastopexy surgery are from $3,500 up to $7,500. In Britain, the treatment ranges from £3,250 to £5,500, with an average cost of £4,000.
Breast Lift Surgery
Unfortunately, pregnancy, nursing, the natural losing of the elasticity of the skin and even gravity, all eventually have their effect on women’s breasts, causing them to sag.
Breast Lift Surgery
