Breast lift (Mastopexy) and mastopexy-augmentation aesthetics are aesthetic breast operations that aim to create young and beautiful-looking breasts. Breast sagging is a common condition after weight loss, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, or as a result of normal aging. This causes the youthful shape and contour of the breast to disappear with a change in the position of the nipple-areolar complex. Breast lift and augmentation can restore this youthful appearance and move the nipple-areolar complex to a more aesthetic position on the breast. It can also improve asymmetry and other defects. A breast lift can be combined with breast augmentation or reduction. Results are immediately noticeable.
How can breast lift surgery benefit me?
Breast lift may include:
- Lifting your breast higher on your chest
- Making your breasts more symmetrical to each other
- Reducing the size of your areola (the dark area around the nipple) and making it look forward rather than down
- Removal of extra skin that may have stretched over time
- Making your breasts look more rounded
- Tightening your breast tissue to better support your nipples and areolas
Breast lift alone does not change the size of your breasts. But the procedure is often combined with other surgeries to make them bigger or smaller. If you want to increase breast size, you can consider breast augmentation with implants, or breast reduction to have smaller breasts.
What happens before breast lift surgery?
Before having a breast lift, it is necessary to evaluate your goals, health status, allergies, if any, medical history including previous surgeries, and mammography or breast ultrasonography results, whether you or any of your family members have a history of breast cancer, the drugs you use, and the habits of using alcohol and tobacco products. Before the operation, your doctor will examine and measure the condition of your breasts, if necessary, by marking the area with a pencil and taking pictures of your breasts, they will help you review your options for breast lift and make recommendations. You will be informed about the risks of anesthesia and surgery to control pain.
How is life after surgery?
There is a 2-day hospital stay after breast lift surgery. You may experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising after the breast lift procedure. Your skin may be tense. These effects improve over time and last for about two weeks. There may be a fine drain near one or more of the incisions to drain the fluid and prevent swelling. Your doctor will give you recovery instructions. These instructions may include:
- Acting carefully
- Reporting any complications
- Using medications to control pain or prevent infection
- Wearing a special bra to reduce swelling and support your breasts as they heal
Many women return to desk jobs and light activities such as walking after about a week. You may need to avoid activities such as lifting things, and exercising for up to four weeks. Usually, a normal bra can be worn about six weeks after the operation. The results of the operation last for years. However, your breasts will continue to experience the normal effects of aging over time. Pregnancy and weight changes can affect breast lift results.
You can always consult experienced plastic surgeon Dr. Umut Suadiye to learn more about your personalized aesthetic needs.
References:
Cleveland Clinic, Breast Lift, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23298-breast-lift. Last Accessed: May 2023.
Ramanadham SR, Rose Johnson A. Breast Lift with and without Implant: A Synopsis and Primer for the Plastic Surgeon. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020:28;8(10):e3057.
