Breast lift

The word consists of two terms:

• MASTO referring to the breast.
• PEXIA act of suspending.

It refers to the cosmetic surgical procedure used to raise and improve the appearance of breasts which have dropped due to a general loss of volume.

The first appointment is vital as the surgeon will explain the surgicaloptions available and the steps to be followed.

This procedure is for women whose breasts have lost the plumpness of youth due to pregnancies, breast feeding, weight loss, the ageing process or particular biological features such as loss of skin elasticity. All of these circumstances lead to loss of volume and sagging of the breasts. This effect is named PTOSIS and is frequently accompanied by loss of volume in the upper part of the breast creating a flat or even concave look.

With the sagging, the nipples normally stay in the front of the breast but sometimes they can rotate down and add to the unattractive look. Normally the diameter of the areolas will increase.

Your surgeon will give you written instructions similair to other surgical procedures explaining the steps to be taken and covering issues such as anaesthetic, smoking etc.

The operation will be done in hospital under general anaesthetic and will involve a stay of 24 hours.

The soft tissues that make up the breast, that is the Parenchymal secretor, the fat and the skin, must be relocated in a new position. Sometimes, when the initial volume of the breast is small or the patient wants more volume, a breast implant can be used, the size and type of which will be discussed with your surgeon before the procedure.

The areola may have dropped and this will be relocated higher up on the breast.

Those patients who have sagging skin normally have a thinner skin and greater volume which leads to a greater tendency to sag and therefore the breasts will not be as pert or elevated as in a normal enlargement procedure.

The bigger the implant inserted in a previously sagging breast, the greater chance of the breast sagging again with time.

No, with breast sagging the influencing factors are skin quality and the weight of the gland, not the muscle.

Back at home, expect to feel discomfort for a few days.

The pain will be similair to that of rising milk or premenstual breast pain and the incisions may sting.

If drains have been used they will be removed within 24 hours, before leaving hospital.

Even though you will feel fine, your surgeon will explain the steps to follow over the following 2 weeks.

During the first week any physical activity should be very limited.

The result is practically immediate. The improvement in your appearance will be noticeable in the first month and later you will feel very happy with your new shape.

Depending on the type of surgery you undergo, the scars may be different shapes and sizes. From only around the areola with or without vertical prolongation, depending on the extent of the sagging. The vertical scar may extend to the top of the rib cage, or the bottom of the breast with one or two short extensions outwards or inwards, creating an inverted T or in some cases a J.

Over time and following the advice of your surgeon, these scars will not be very noticeable and will be easy to hide with lingerie or swimwear. Genetic factors will play a part in the healing process.

Understand that this procedure is to correct the aesthetic deterioration of the breast and in this respect it is very sucessfull but it does not stop the passing of time. However, the vast majority of patients are very happy with the result for a long time.

The duration of the results depends on weight changes, skin quality, weight of the mammary gland and pregnancies.