Breast Lift
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure used to improve the look of sagging or droopy breasts. This is an ideal procedure for improving:
- Sagging or droopy breasts that have lost their shape and “perkiness”
- Flatter, extended or longer shaped breasts
- Nipples that fall below your breast crease when unsupported
- Nipples and areolas that point down
- Stretched skin and enlarged areolas
- Uneven breasts where one is higher than the other
- Asymmetrical breasts where one is larger or a different shape than the other.
Sagging breasts can affect a woman’s confidence but can also present physical issues such as swinging breasts, inability to find clothes that fit properly, reduced self-esteem and other issues.
A breast lift does not involve the insertion of an implant and is suitable for women who are happy with the size and volume of their breasts, but just want them lifted, raised or reshaped. When you undergo breast lift surgery, the surgeon will contour the breasts as the tissues are tightened and reshaped and extra skin is removed.
One of the most important things when planning a breast lift is to ensure your surgeon understands exactly what you want to achieve. Considerations include the shape of your breasts, positioning of nipples and the size and appearance of the areola.
Some possible complications and risks associated with breast lift surgery may include:
- Surgical risks such as bleeding or infection
- Fluid accumulation around the operation site(s)
- Visible and prominent scars including keloid and hypertrophic scars. These are raised, red and thickened scars that may form over the healed incisions. They may be itchy, annoying and unsightly but are not a threat to health
- Allergic reaction to suture materials, tape adhesive or other medical materials and lotions
- Skin discoloration, permanent pigmentation changes, swelling and bruising
- Fatty tissue deep in the skin could die (fat necrosis) leaving hard lumps
- Changes in breast and nipple sensation
- Temporary or permanent areas of numbness
- Asymmetry (unevenness) of the breasts
- Excessive firmness of the breast
- Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola
- Need for further surgery to treat complications
- Risks of anaesthesia including allergic reaction or potentially fatal cardiovascular complications such as heart attack
- A blood clot in the deep veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis), which can move to the lungs (pulmonary embolus) and may be life threatening.
All potential risks should be addressed by your surgeon at your initial consultation.
How can I tell if I need a breast lift?
If your nipple is at or below the inframammary fold it is likely that you will need a breast lift
How can it tell how much of a lift is needed?
Stand infront of a mirror. By using you hand first lift and position your nipple so that it in the center of your breast.
Mark this position by drawing a horizontal line across to the centre of your chest or sternum. Release the nipple and let it rest naturally. Redraw the horizontal line from the nipple to the sternum in the new position. Measure the vertical distance between the two lines in centimetres.
Is this distance important?
This distance determines what type of technique you require.
Are there any situations that make it more likely that I will need a breast lift?
If you have lost a lot of weight, or if you breasts became very large whilst you were breast feeding, it is likely that you have stretched the supporting ligaments within the breast and this makes it more likely that you will need a breast lift.
I feel I am borderline – can I avoid a scar?
If you are willing to have an implant, a surgical technique called a dual plane procedure may allow you to avoid a scar.
In certain circumstances lowering of the inframammary crease may also allow you to avoid a breast lift.
I really hate the scar, can I minimise it?
Modern surgery can use a vertical scar without the large horizontal scar underneath your breast for some patients. This technique, called a Hall Findlay mastopexy, may result in significantly less scarring and better breast shape compared to the traditional Wise or anchor pattern scar. If the amount of lift required is between one and two centimeters you may be a candidate for a circumareolar or Benelli technique.
What can’t I use the Benelli technique if I need more than 2cm lift?
More that 2 cm is very difficult to achieve without producing unsightly bunched scarring and a flattened pancake looking breast. You are much better to accept the vertical scar and go with the vertical scar technique.
I don’t want implants can I still have a lift?
Yes
Is it painful?
Surprisingly a breast lift is usually not very painful at all. Most patients only require simple analgesics post operatively.
Is it performed in hospital?
Yes
Will I lose sensation?
This is always a possibility with any breast surgery
Can I breastfeed afterwards?
Yes
Important note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
