Breast lifts|Procedure of surgery

A breast lift (or mastopexy) removes excess skin, raises the nipple to the correct height, and re-establishes the support of the breast for a more esthetic posture.  To provide the necessary volume, a breast lift may be combined with an augmentation

A breast lift restores the breasts to a more youthful look.  The result is a symmetrical, naturally proportioned and positioned breast of appropriate size, shape, and position. 

A breast lift, however, does not prevent the breasts from aging, they continue to be affected by the pull of gravity and the intrinsic changes that take place with age. 

Some of the benefits of the breast lift, therefore, are lost over time. 

Those patients with good skin quality, that is, elastic and flexible skin with minimal or no stretch marks, have a longer lasting result because the skin itself offers better support to the breast tissue.

If droopy breasts are due to weight loss, a breast lift should not be performed until the weight is stable, since further weight loss after surgery may cause a recurrence of the problem. 

Women who are overweight, with heavy, droopy breasts, often require a breast reduction rather than a breast lift.  The pull of gravity on the heavy breast causes a recurrence of the sagging unless some excess tissue is removed in Breast surgery.

What is the procedure for surgery?

• If the procedure involves only a breast lift, it is often performed of an outpatient basis under a local anesthetic with accompanying intravenous sedation.  If, however, it is combined with augmentation to increase the breast volume, the procedure is performed under a general anesthetic.

• The keyhole incision used for breast reductions is also used for breast lifts.  After excess skin is removed from the keyhole, the nipple and areolar complex are then raised to the planned height. 
  
  Since the blood and nerve supply to the nipple is not touched in a breast lift, there is no risk of loss of sensation to the nipple and areolar complex.  The incision is then closed, leaving an inverted-T closure, and a dressing is applied.  

• If augmentation is combined with a breast lift, the implant is put in place prior to removing excess skin to ensure that n adequate amount of skin is available to close the incision.  Also, when the skin is draped over the implant it makes the removal of excess skin easier.

• Dressings and stitches are removed within 2 weeks, unless the stitches are self absorbing.  Bruising and swelling in a breast lift are not as severe as with a reduction.

• One to 1 ½ hours is the time usually required to complete a breast lift.  If a local anesthetic is used, the patient may return home shortly after the surgery is finished.  

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