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BREAST UPLIFT (MASTOPEXY)Over the years, factors such as
pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their
toll on a woman's breasts. As the skin loses its
elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and
firmness and begin to sag. Breastlift, or mastopexy, is
a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging
breasts--at least, for a time. (No surgery can
permanently delay the effects of gravity.) Mastopexy
can
also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin
surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or
have lost volume--for example, after pregnancy--breast
implants inserted in conjunction with mastopexy can
increase both their firmness and their size.
 Before |
After |
The Best Candidates For Brast Lift
A breast lift can enhance your appearance and your
self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your
looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to
treat you differently. Before you decide to have
surgery, think carefully about your expectations and
discuss them with your surgeon.
The best candidates for mastopexy are healthy,
emotionally-stable women who are realistic about what
the surgery can accomplish. The best results are usually
achieved in women with small, sagging breasts. Breasts
of any size can be lifted, but the results may not last
as long in heavy breasts.
Many women seek mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing
have left them with stretched skin and less volume in
their breasts. However, if you're planning to have more
children, it may be a good idea to postpone your breast
lift. While there are no special risks that affect
future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually
doesn't interfere with breast-feeding), pregnancy is
likely to stretch your breasts again and offset the
results of the procedure.
All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty And Risk
A breast lift is not a simple operation, but it's
normally safe when performed by a qualified plastic
surgeon. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there is
always a possibility of complications or a reaction to
the anesthesia. Bleeding and infection following a
breast lift are uncommon, but they can cause scars to
widen. You can reduce your risks by closely following
your physician's advice both before and after surgery.
The Surgery
Mastopexy usually takes one and a half to three and a
half hours. Techniques vary, but the most common
procedure involves an anchor-shaped incision following
the natural contour of the breast.
The incision outlines the area from which breast skin
will be removed and defines the new location for the
nipple. When the excess skin has been removed, the
nipple and areola are moved to the higher position. The
skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and
together to reshape the breast. Stitches are usually
located around the areola, in a vertical line extending
downwards from the nipple area, and along the lower
crease of the breast.
Some patients, especially those with relatively small
breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for
modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions.
One such procedure is the "doughnut (or concentric)
mastopexy," in which circular incisions are made around
the areola, and a doughnut-shaped area of skin is
removed.
If you're having an implant inserted along with your
breast lift, it will be placed in a pocket directly
under the breast tissue, or deeper, under the muscle of
the chest wall.
After Your Surgery
After surgery, you'll
wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze
dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and
uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn't
be severe. Any discomfort you do feel can be relieved
with medications prescribed by your surgeon. |
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