Breast Lift or "Mastopexy"

…reshaping and lifting your breasts…

With age, after pregnancy, or with weight loss, breasts may become loose and sag, losing their youthful contour, firmness, and fullness. By tightening the skin and breast tissue and by lifting the nipple to a higher, more youthful position, plastic surgery can help improve the appearance of your breasts.

How is the surgery done?

Breast lift surgery (also known as “mastopexy”) is usually done under a general anesthetic as an outpatient procedure. The surgery typically lasts 2 hours or longer.

There are different surgical techniques for lifting the breasts and retightening the skin. Most techniques will leave a scar around the nipple and areola (the dark skin around the nipple). In addition, there may be a vertical scar below the areola and one in the crease under the breast.

If breasts have lost volume because of weight loss or after pregnancy, breast implants can be placed at the same time as the mastopexy. Similarly, the breasts can be made smaller, or be made equal if there is a size discrepancy before surgery.

What to expect after surgery…

After the surgery, prescription medications are given for control of pain, and most patients are able to return to work after 3 to 4 days. Strenuous and full activities are usually permitted after 3 weeks.

What are the possible complications?

All surgery runs the risk of bleeding, infection and scarring. There is little blood loss with this surgery and infection is rare in patients who are healthy and who do not smoke. It is important to review and understand all of the possible complications with your plastic surgeon.

The nipple is usually repositioned at a higher level. With different techniques, the skin can be tightened to lift and reshape the breasts.

The scars may be around the areola, as well as vertically down and in the crease underneath the breast.

Although all scars are permanent, over a period of 6 to 12 months they will fade, becoming white, flat and smooth.

The nipple is usually repositioned at a higher level. With different techniques, the skin can be tightened to lift and reshape the breasts.	The scars may be around the areola, as well as vertically down and in the crease underneath the breast.

Occasionally, surgery on the breast will cause the nipple to be numb temporarily or permanently. With mastopexy, this complication, fortunately, is very rare. Breast feeding is also usually possible after a breast lift.

Although the results are rewarding and generally long-lasting, occasionally breasts may sag again, especially if they are large or heavy. If so desired, the breast lift can always be repeated, some years later.

If you are interested...

Please call our office for further information.

The information was prepared by Dr. Anna Drzewiecki and may not reflect the thoughts or approach of all plastic surgeons. The best way to obtain a better understanding of breast lift surgery is through a personal consultation with your plastic surgeon, at which time you should feel comfortable asking for any additional information.