Introduction to Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Over a lifetime, women experience many situations that
change the size and shape of their breasts…such
as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuation and
gravity. These factors cause the skin to lose its elasticity,
shape and firmness. A breast lift, or mastopexy, is
a surgical procedure designed to raise and reshape sagging
breasts, utilizing the patient’s own breast tissue.
Best Candidates for Breast Lift
The best candidates for a breast lift are healthy women,
30’s to 50’s, who have stretched skin and
diminished breast volume, and who have completed childbearing.
Future pregnancy and/or nursing is possible, but may
stretch the skin and affect the results of your procedure.
What to Expect at Your Consultation
Dr. James Matas, a board-certified plastic surgeon
in Orlando, Florida, has extensive experience performing
breast surgery. During your initial consultation, he
will discuss your motivations for breast surgery, along
with assessing your physical and emotional health and
reviewing information you provide about previous surgeries,
previous pregnancies/breastfeeding, past and current
medical conditions, as well as nutritional supplements,
herbal remedies and pharmaceutical medications you take.
He will carefully examine your breasts and chest wall,
considering the following factors: amount of breast
tissue you have to be lifted, position of your nipple
areola in relation to the breast tissue, degree of sag,
thickness of skin and skin tone. If you have a small
amount of breast tissue, he may recommend breast implants
be used in conjunction with the mastopexy to increase
breast size and firmness. To better visualize the degree
of lifting that your breast will require, he will also
take specific measurements of your breasts in their
current condition.
He will recommend the exact procedure, or procedures,
needed to bring about the desired result, outlining
the technique, location of the surgical incisions, the
type of anesthesia, where the surgery will be performed
and the risks and possibility of complications.
He will advise you to avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen
products, Vitamin E and certain herbal medications before
surgery, as these can cause increased bleeding or have
undesirable effects with anesthesia.
A staff member may take photographs of you, and using
computer imaging technology, provide you with a before/after
comparison for discussion purposes. You will also be
provided with the financial details, along with a suggested
plan of action should you decide to take the next step
towards breast improvement surgery.
How Breast Lift is Performed
First, incisions are made on the breast to outline
the areas where excess skin will be removed. Then, the
nipple and areola are shifted to a higher position.
The skin around the areola is then brought down and
together to reshape the breast.
The incision usually resembles an anchor shape, and
is located around the areola, extending downward toward
the bottom of the breast and across the crease of the
breast. Sometimes, when only a partial lift is required,
only a circular incision around the nipple areola is
needed.
If breast augmentation surgery is also being performed,
the implant will be placed under the pectoralis muscle
(subpectoral) or under the breast tissue (suprapectoral)
prior to the mastopexy procedure. This allows Dr. Matas
to lift your breast into place around the filled implant.
Mastopexy usually takes two hours to complete, unless
additional procedures are required, and is performed
outpatient under general anesthesia.
Recovery from Breast Lift
After surgery, you’ll wear a surgical bra for
support and comfort for several weeks. Expect your breasts
to be sore, with bruising, swelling, itching and mild
pain. You may also experience a temporary change in
nipple sensation.
You’ll be instructed to take it easy for a few
days, and to discontinue certain strenuous activities
for about one month. Sutures will be removed within
a week following surgery, and at this time you may return
to work.
The scars will be reddish in appearance and will fade
over the next few months. It is important to protect
your scars from the sun and tanning beds for one year
to prevent them from darkening permanently.
Your New Look
After mastopexy, your breasts will feel firmer and
appear shapelier and uplifted. Because of the new position
of your nipples and breast tissue, you may find you
can wear clothing you would’ve never thought possible,
even strapless dresses! And you can expect to maintain
your new shape long-term, unless you gain or lose a
significant amount of weight or become pregnant in the
future.
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