Breast Lift

Mastopexy, also known as the breast lift, is a plastic surgery procedure that addresses excessive tissue laxity, restores breast firmness and improves breast position. Since the cause of laxity can be a “deflation” of breast volume, such as after pregnancy, some patients choose to undergo breast augmentation at the same time with saline or silicone implants.

The degree of each patient’s breast droop is measured by comparing the nipple position with the breast crease. Additional measurements help determine the location and degree of excessive tissue laxity, in order to decide on the type of Mastopexy to be performed.

There are three types of incisions used for a breast lift surgery:

Concentric incisions around the areola. This “hides” the scar at the areolar border, and is known as a circumareolar mastopexy.
An incision around the areola with another incision down the front of the breast beneath the areola to the fold of the breast (inframammary fold). This is a full mastopexy using a vertical scar, sometimes known as a “lollipop” scar.
An incision around the areola with another incision down the front of the breast beneath the areola to the fold, and horizontally along the fold of the breast. This traditional technique results in an “anchor” configuration.
We use a special incision pattern for some of our patients with a large amount of excessive skin. This technique was developed here in Boston and involves a curvy line near the breast fold and no vertical incision.

How is breast lift surgery done?

With the patient under sedation or general anesthesia, excess breast tissue is removed to reshape the breast. If the skin has become less elastic, excess skin is removed and the nipple and areola are positioned higher, tightening the surrounding skin. If necessary, a breast lift can also reduce the size of the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple).

What is the recovery period like?

Typically, the immediate post-operative period is not associated with a lot of pain. Moderate discomfort is more the norm. Patients typically return to work or normal daily activity after 1-2 weeks, depending on their requirements at work or at home. Swelling decreases during post-operative recovery and the lines on the breasts from the incisions will fade over time.

Who is an ideal candidate for breast lift surgery?

Ideal candidates are women whose breasts have “sagged” due to gravity, deflation, or weight loss. Deflation is common after pregnancy, with or without breastfeeding. An experienced plastic surgeon would listen to your goals and help you achieve them with the appropriate technique, and would advise you on the pros and cons of using an implant. The decision on whether to use an implant with a breast lift, or instead of a breast lift, needs to be made after very careful consideration. The need for a plastic surgeon with extensive experience with this complex issue cannot be overemphasized.

Are there risks and complications to a breast lift surgery?

As with many plastic surgery procedures, a decision needs to be made whether to accept the incisions and scars from a breast lift as a tradeoff for better contour. One of the risks of this type of surgery is the occasional separation of the suture line, resulting in some delay in healing, and sometimes resulting in scars that are less acceptable and that may need revision. There are considerations of adequate circulation as the nipple and areola are “shifted” to their new position, but this is a rare complication.

How long do the results last?

The length of time that the results will be pleasing will depend on many factors, including: the integrity of the skin, the weight of the breast, and the technique used, among others. This is an “anti-gravity” procedure, and we all know that gravity is always at work. Some people get many years of improvement after a breast lift. Adequate breast support is also helpful after surgery in order to avoid excessive stretching of the tissues.