Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
ANESTHESIA
A breast lift procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia.
INCISIONS
When the breast is not so saggy, the incision is made around the areola (peripapillary). However, a severe breast ptosis (severe sagging) can be corrected with breast lift techniques that use Inverted-T Incision and Anchor-shaped Incision. There are waterproof pads along the incisions which are removed one week after the surgery and the patient has to wear a sports bra immediately after surgery. No drainage tubes are used.
RETURN TO EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES
Sports activities are allowed after 1.5 months following breast lift surgery. The avoidance of weight lifting and hyperextension of hands is recommended in the first few weeks after surgery, while walking is freely allowed. Driving is permitted after a week following surgery.
Usually, the return to work is recommended within 2 days after surgery. In case of manual work, the patient can return to work after 10 days.
DURATION OF HOSPITALIZATION
The patient may leave from hospital the same evening after surgery.
COMMON COMPLICATIONS
• Hematoma: if the collection of blood is large, drainage may be required in the operating room i.e. to put a tube in the breast to drain the blood (in 0% of our patients).
• Problem with nipples sensitivity, connected with trauma of nerve, responsible for sensitivity around the areole (in 0% of our patients).
• Wound Separation (Dehiscence) (in 0% of our patients).
FINAL RESULTS
The final results of a breast lift will appear over the next 3-6 months as the breast shape and position continue to settle. The scars are initially red and hard and gradually improve within a year, however they don’t disappear completely.
Breast Lift aims to change or restore the shape of the breasts, to correct the ‘hanging’ breasts without changing their volume.
Sometimes, patients choose to have a breast lift accompanied with breast augmentation with the placement of silicone implants. These two procedures can be combined although we, usually, suggest to operate in two stages, prioritizing breast lift (mastopexy) at the first stage, followed by breast augmentation.
Breastfeeding is not affected by a breast lift surgery. There is no post operative pain after a breast lift but only a sense of burning that subsides a few hours after surgery. The use of pain medications after the first 24 hours following surgery is rare. All sutures are absorbable.