1. Breast
2. Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

 

What is a Breast Lift?

 

A breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgical procedure that lifts the breast, removing droopiness, and keeps your current bra cup size the same. It removes excess skin to lift the nipple and locate the breast higher on the chest. All breast fat or glandular tissue is preserved to maintain your breast volume.

A breast lift is primarily a cosmetic procedure that improves the shape and appearance of the bust, some women also are symptomatic from their drooped breasts.

Symptoms from a droopy bust can include:

• Chest chafing
• Under breast rashes or infections (intertrigo)
• Difficulty finding bras and clothing to fit properly
• Self image issues
• Self consciousness
• Poor self esteem
• Inability to exercise

Breast shape is the result of a number of factors, such as family genetics, hormones at puberty or menopause, body weight, pregnancy, breast feeding and individual physical characteristics.

There are a number of surgical options can be offered depending on individual characteristics, such as:

• Traditional Wise scar (also known as an anchor or inverted T scar)
• Short scar (Hall-Findlay; Lejour; Lassus)
• Vertical scar (also known as a lollipop scar)
• Peri-areolar

Sometimes breast augmentation can be combined with a breast lift if a woman wishes to have a lift as well as increase her breast size. This is known as a breast augmentation mastopexy 

 

 

Am I a Breast Lift Candidate?

 

Individuals are good candidates for surgery if they are healthy non-smokers and do not have conditions or take medicines that may impair healing. Individuals need to have realistic expectations and understand that breast lift surgery does result in scarring, that although permanent are an acceptable trade-off for the improvement in breast shape. They will also be aware that breast size and shape can change with aging, weight changes, pregnancy and breast feeding and as such their rejuvenated post-surgical appearance will change with time.

 

 

What is the Breast Lift Process?

 

To start, at your pre surgical consultation you will meet Chris Porter and together discuss your personal goals, medical health and previous treatments, surgery and anaesthesia. A list of your current medications is required but you do not need a referral from your family doctor. Your breast characteristics will be examined and explained to you. At the end of the consultation you will have discussed:

• surgical options and have a recommended treatment plan based on your goals and individual characteristics
• the general anaesthesia required to perform your surgery
• realistic surgical outcomes
• possible risks or complications of the surgery or anaesthesia
• cost of the surgery and possible surgery dates
• any questions that you wish to ask

You will also have the opportunity to satisfy any nervousness or personal concerns, you should be comfortable discussing your feelings during the consultation. Remember, your individual goals are specific to you but are also commonly experienced by other plastic surgery patients.

On the day of surgery you will be admitted to the hospital where you will be assessed by the Anaesthetist who may administer medication to settle any pre-surgical nervousness. Chris Porter will perform pre-surgical markings and take photographs for your personal file. Following this, you will be transferred to the operating room where you will meet the surgical team and then your general anaesthetic will be started. While you are asleep under the anaesthetic your surgery will be performed and you will be given pain relief medication so you are comfortable when you wake up following the anaesthetic. Following completion of your surgery and anaesthetic you will be transferred to the ward where the nurses will keep you comfortable and guide your recovery. Typically you will have a one night hospital stay and on discharge you will be provided with pain relief medication, instructions to optimise your recovery, and post-operative appointments.

 

 

What is Breast Lift Recovery Like?

 

You will have some post-surgical bruising, swelling and discomfort which will subside towards the end of the first week. Following discharge from hospital you should not drive or return to work during the first week after surgery. During this time you need to rest at home to minimise swelling, bruising and as well as optimising your wound healing. Your dressings are sufficiently waterproof to allow showering from the first day after your surgery. Typically you will be able to return to driving and office based work in the second week after surgery. I recommend that general activity is limited to gentle walking for the first three weeks, if you are progressing well at that stage then you will be able to increase your activity aiming for unrestricted activity just as you were prior to surgery at week four to six, depending on your level of exercise. A lightly supportive non-underwire bra is recommended for the first six weeks and then you can have your formal bra fitting performed for day and sportswear.