Introduction:

Breast lift or Mastopexy is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts.

Mastopexy can also reduce the size of areola. If the breasts are small or have lost volume following pregnancy or weight loss, breast implants may sometimes be used in combination with mastopexy to increase both firmness and size. Larger breasts may benefit from a small reduction in size in combination with a breast lift.

Reasons for undergoing a breast lift:

1. 'Drooping' or 'pendulous' breasts, which may lack firmness and shape. These findings may occur with aging, or after pregnancy, breast feeding, or weight loss.
2. Nipples that point downwards, especially if they are positioned below the breast crease.
3. Breast implant removal, where no implant replacement is desired.

Personal consultation:

During your visit, you will be asked about your desired breast shape and size. Your plastic surgeon will tell you how the breast can be reshaped, and the nipple-areola repositioned. Discuss your expectations.

Evaluation by plastic surgeon:

The plastic surgeon will examine your breasts, and take measurements. The size and shape of your breasts and the placement of nipple-areola will be carefully evaluated. Medical history will be discussed, including medical conditions, medications, drug allergies, and previous surgeries (especially relevant are previous breast surgeries such as breast biopsy). If you have experienced recent weight loss or gain, your doctor may recommend that your weight should be stabilized before surgery.

Risks involved:

When carefully planned and performed by a qualified surgeon, significant complications from mastopexy are infrequent. Following a breast lift surgery, sometimes the breasts may not be perfectly symmetric. Loss of sensation in the nipples or over some areas of breast skin may occur. Revision surgery may be helpful where incisions have healed poorly, and unfavorable scars have developed.

Types of anesthesia:

Breast lifts are usually performed under general anesthesia. Local anesthesia may be used for minor lifts, or for minor revisions of mastopexy surgeries.

Surgical procedure:

Full breast lift:

Mastopexy usually takes between one and three hours. The most common procedure involves an 'anchor' shaped incision, extending across the base of the breast as well as around the areolas, and including an incision between the areola and the base of the breast. The incisions outline the area from which excess breast skin will be removed, and defines the new location for the nipple. After removal of excess skin, the nipple and areola are moved to a higher location, and the breast is reshaped and sutured. Maximal correction of breast shape is possible with this technique, but the 'trade-off' is an increase in visible scars.

Modified breast lift:

Patients with smaller breasts and minimal sagging may be candidates for a modified breast lift. These techniques requires fewer incisions, and result in less visible scarring than standard techniques. One such procedure is the "doughnut mastopexy," in which circular incisions are made around the areola, and a doughnut shaped of skin is removed. A circular scar at the border of the areola results.

After your surgery:

After surgery, your doctor may recommend that you wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over the surgical dressings. Your breasts will be slightly bruised and swollen for the first several days. Pain is usually not severe, and is relieved with oral pain medications. The sutures will be removed after a week or two.

Healing is a gradual process, so it's best to 'take it easy' during the early healing period. Strenuous sports and weight lifting should be avoided for six weeks. A sports bra should be used when these activities resume, and it's best to avoid underwire bras for eight weeks after surgery. You may experience some numbness of the breast skin or nipples, but this is usually temporary and fades as the swelling subsides over the first six weeks.

Mastopexy rarely interferes with the ability to breast feed, since milk ducts and nipples are left intact. You should remember that a breast lift won't keep you firm forever. Gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight fluctuations will continue to influence the breast over time.

If you are considering a Breast Lift in Beverly Hills - contact board certified plastic surgeon Dr Rudkin at 310.410.4599