Breast lift: procedure and postoperative care

Mastopexy, or breast lift, is a surgery performed to correct breast sagging (ptosis), without this meaning a reduction in size. Women with breast ptosis have an excess of skin compared to the underlying breast volume. Breast sagging is independent of breast volume.

Breast lift procedure

A breast lift is a simple procedure. Generally, the operation lasts an average of two to three hours, but this varies depending on the technique employed, the anesthesia used and the laxity of the breasts. It should also be noted that mastopexy may include other surgeries such as reduction, augmentation or complete breast reconstruction.

The incisions are made along the natural lines of the breast and around the areola. A keyhole-shaped incision is also made above the areola to define the new position of the nipple. Next, the skin is removed from the lower section of the breast. Finally, the nipple and areola are moved to a higher position and the incisions are closed with stitches. If it is necessary to leave a drain, it will be removed the following day.

In most cases, mastopexy is performed on an outpatient basis, but there may be cases in which the patient needs to stay in hospital for one or two days.

Mastopexy postoperative period

The postoperative period of a mastopexy is very mild. As a general rule, the patient will be able to return home the day after the procedure and can go back to work (if it does not require physical effort) from the second or third day. However, a week of partial rest will be needed to return to normal activity.

For the results to last longer, it is advisable to follow the surgeon’s recommendations to the letter. Major exertion should be avoided in the ten days following the operation.

Does a breast lift leave a scar?

A mastopexy inevitably leaves scars. Depending on the condition of the breast, the complexity of the procedure and the surgeon, they will be more or less visible. To a large extent, the size of the scars will depend on the amount of skin resected and the distance the areola-nipple complex is moved. They can be as follows:

• Inverted T: When the excess skin is very large, this type of anchor-shaped scar is required.
• Periareolar: If the excess skin is smaller, there will only be a scar around the areola.