A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts.  As a woman ages, skin loses some elasticity which can cause the breasts to lose their natural shape and firmness.  This procedure is designed to elevate the breasts and give them a more youthful appearance.  A breast lift may also be completed in conjunction with breast augmentation surgery (aenlargement).

Reasons for Considering a Breast Lift:

• Elevate the breasts due to sagging caused by the effects of aging and gravity.
• Firm the breasts if they have lost substance due to pregnancy and subsequent breast-feeding.
• Re-align your nipples/areolas if they point down or to the side.
• Bring back natural suppleness after weight loss.

General Procedure

The breast lift  procedure usually takes one and a half to three hours.  Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-like incision along the underside of the breast.  The incision goes around the area where skin will be removed, thus defining how the nipple will be relocated.  When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved into a higher position.  The skin surrounding the areola is brought down and together to reshape the breast.

Many times, an implant is inserted at the same time to replace volume lost due to pregancy and breast feeding or weight loss. This provides the patient with fullness and better overall shape.  If the patient is having an implant inserted along with the breast lift, the implant will be placed in a pocket directly under muscle of the chest wall and then the lift is completed.

Recovery Process

After having a breast lift, you will want to take plenty of rest. The breast lift procedure done alone is minimally painful. If implants are placed at the same time, the implants are placed under the muscle, it will be painful for the first 2 to 3 days after the surgery.  This pain can be treated effectively with oral medications. Bandages and a surgical bra are applied right after surgery.  Generally, patients can return to work 4 to 5 days after surgery. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the directions given by the physician after surgery.