Breast Lift

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

What is a mastopexy?

A breast lift or mastopexy is a procedure that is performed to correct sagging or drooping of the breasts resulting from pregnancies, breast feeding, weight loss and/or heredity. As most women age, their breast tissue is gradually replaced by fatty tissue. This is one reason why mammograms become easier to read after the age of 40. When breasts enlarge as a result of pregnancy and breast feeding, the skin stretches as well. After childbirth, breast feeding or significant weight loss, a woman’s breasts may lose their youthful appearance. Skin stretch, associated with a downward pointing of the nipple, is called ptosis.
A mastopexy is designed to remove the excess skin and reshape the breast to correct sagging. Incisions for this procedure vary according to the degree of ptosis. It is a good idea to be sure that you are finished having children and close to your desired weight before scheduling a mastopexy.

The surgical procedure takes one to two hours, depending on the extent of the problem. Patients will be sore after surgery, and pain is usually controlled with Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Daily activities can usually be resumed in 24 to 48 hours, and exercise two weeks after your procedure. Like any elective surgery involving skin flaps, patients must be non-smokers.

When do I need a mastopexy, a breast augmentation, or both?

Too often, plastic surgeons recommend a breast augmentation as a means to correct breast ptosis, or droop. One of the leading causes of revision surgeries associated with breast augmentation is the use of large, round breast implants to correct this problem, without considering the long-term consequences. An over sized breast implant, used to “tighten” and “lift” the breast, will inevitably produce a worsening of the overstretched and thinned tissues. In addition, many women considering a breast lift may be happy with their cup size. If a patient presents with a little droop and knows she wants to increase her breast volume, then an implant is indicated.

The decision to lift a breast, augment or do both, should only be made after careful pre-operative measurements and an evaluation of the patient’s skin quality. These objective measurements can then be combined with the patient’s desired outcome to develop a surgical plan that works best for her. After nearly two decades of experience, I have learned that many women are very happy with a lift alone, or an augmentation alone. When the procedures are staged, the patient is given the opportunity to decide when she has reached her own personal aesthetic goals.

See breast lift photo gallery.

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