Breast Lift

The breast lift operation, also known as Mastopexy, is designed to correct the ptotic or drooping breast, which is quite common in women who have nursed their children and whose breast skin has stretched and/or the breast volume has decreased. Drooping breasts can also occur in women who have never become pregnant. Although the most common age for women seeking this operation is between 35 and 50. Mastopexy may be performed at any age as long as there are no significant medical problems. The goal of the breast lift operation is to elevate the nipple to a more normal position on the chest wall and to remove the loose, stretched skin in order to reshape the breast and return it to a more youthful appearance.

PROCEDURE
Breast lift operations are done as an outpatient in our fully accredited Surgicenter under Monitored Anesthesia Care administered by board certified anesthesiologists. Pre-operative markings are critical to the success of the procedure and are done immediately before entering the operating room. This operation may last one to four hours and most patients are ready to return to their home within I - 2 hours after surgery.

Incisions are made in the skin and the breast tissue to allow the nipple and areola to be elevated to a more natural position and some of the skin of the central and lower portion of the breast is removed. The remaining skin is sutured together to provide a firmer, more youthful breast. The typical scars after this procedure include a circular one around the areola, a straight vertical one that extends from the lower portion of the areola down to the fold beneath the breast, and a third curved scar in the fold beneath the breast. There are other methods of doing a breast lift with more limited scarring, but they also have disadvantages. During your consultation, Dr. Thompson will discuss the procedure which he feels will be most appropriate for you and will also address the alternative procedures if you wish.

RECOVERY
Most patients plan on returning to work within two or three weeks after surgery. Many patients who have "desk jobs" will be able to return sooner. Strenuous exercise like jogging, weight lifting and sexual intercourse should be avoided for four weeks after surgery. Usually there is no change in bra size since only loose skin is removed. However, because the breast tissue is tightened when the skin is sutured together after the loose excess skin is removed, some patients may experience a slight reduction of breast size.

The breast lift scars will be prominent for as long as a year after surgery. Although they continue to improve with time, they will never disappear.

Breast Lift Questions and Answers