Mastopexy

What is breast lift surgery?

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.

A woman’s breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, aging, gravity, heredity. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted.

It is often combined with the use of breast implants to make the breasts larger and more filled, especially at the upper pole.

The first step

The medical appointment is the first step and it is the time to discuss why you want to have this surgery, your expectations and the desired outcome.

At this stage the patient should report his health history, previous surgeries, current medications and the use of alcohol or tobacco. Family history of breast cancer should be informed for better counseling and surgical planning.

Procedure steps

Mastopexy can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques. The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:

• Breast size and shape;
• The size and position of areolas;
• The degree of breast sagging;
• Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin.

There three common incision patterns are around the areola (periareolar), around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease (vertical) and around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease (“inverted T” pattern).

After the incisions, the underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness. The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height. If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.  If necessary, silicone implants are used to give more volume to new breasts. Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.

The most common complications of mastopexy are bleeding, poor wound healing, and changes in nipple or breast sensation, usually temporary.

Satisfaction with the new breasts should continue to grow as the patient recovers from surgery. The final results of mastopexy will appear over the time as breast shape and position continue to settle. Incision lines are permanent but will continue to fade over time.

Source: www.plasticsurgery.org