Breast Uplift (Mastopexy)

Step out in confidence.  Give your breasts a firmer, altogether more youthful-looking silhouette.

What is Mastopexy?

Mastopexy or breast uplift surgery reshapes and repositions breasts that have lost firmness.  It is designed to remove excess breast skin and underlying tissue to give a firmer, altogether more youthful-looking silhouette to breasts.

Many women find that age, pregnancies, nursing and gravity have taken their toll on their breasts and that for both cosmetic and psychological reasons they wish to restore their breast shape and firmness. 

Some people find that they have one breast lower than the other and undergo mastopexy surgery to correct this asymmetry.  Others might not be happy with their breast size and therefore choose to have breast augmentation or reduction carried out at the same time.  Mastopexy itself does not alter breast size but it can reduce the size of the areolas around the nipples.

The operation is more complex than for breast augmentation or reduction and can take between 1.5 and 3.5 hours or longer.  It does lead to visible scarring, but this is usually well concealed below under garments and swimwear. 

The surgery takes two forms: women with smaller breasts generally undergo concentric or ‘doughnut’ mastopexy in which incisions are made in concentric circles around the areola.  For those with larger, more pendulous breasts, anchor-shaped incisions are made, running around the areola and down to and underneath the breast crease. 

Although mastopexy surgery leaves nipples and their underlying milk ducts in tact, and therefore should not limit the ability to breast feed, it is recommended you postpone the operation if you intend to get pregnant.  The results of the breast lift can be undermined by pregnancy. 

Why you might consider Mastoplexy

Mastopexy is the chosen route of thousands of women each year who feel their loss of breast firmness and loss of breast skin elasticity is affecting their body image or self confidence.   Women considering the procedure should have a balanced outlook on what the surgery can do and have realistic expectations of the results in order to gain the most from their surgery. 

Breast uplift surgery works the best on women who have small breasts as the results will be longer lasting.  But is effective of course for those with larger, more pendulous breasts. 

Mastopexy can be carried out on women of any age, but is advisable only on women whose breasts are mature (age 18yrs+). 

As with all cosmetic surgery, an ideal candidate for mastopexy should have a mature outlook, realistic expectation and be in good overall health.  It is preferable to be a non-smoker or refrain from smoking in the run up and aftermath of your operation.  You will be advised of this and other pre-op requirements.

What breast uplift surgery will do

Breast uplift surgery is a cosmetic surgery intervention with direct implications for a person’s psychological well being. It is carried out mainly to:

Address sagging breasts caused by ageing, menopause, gravity, weight fluctuations, hereditary characteristics, pregnancy or nursing

• Remove asymmetry of breast
• Reduce the size of the areola (this is usually a side benefit, not a key reason for the surgery), and
• It can also be carried out in conjunction with breast augmentation or reduction surgery

The various types of sagging (ptosis) the surgery corrects are:

• Nipples that have drooped to the breast crease position
• Nipples that drooped below the breast crease position
• Nipples that are pointing vertically downwards to the floor

What breast uplift surgery won’t do

While mastopexy can alter your breasts’ shape and position, it won’t change their size, though you may gain that impression as breasts are raised and firmed by the operation.  There are no guarantees about is how it will make you or others feel about your body image or yourself.  It is wise therefore to think through the implications of breast uplift surgery and be prepared to discuss emotional as well as physical aspects with your surgeon. 

Breast uplift surgery has good, lasting benefits but it cannot defy the ageing process or time forever.  You will find that eventually, as your skin and tissue continue to age, your breasts will lose firmness again.  Similarly, if you have weight fluctuations or get pregnant following surgery, you may find the results of the mastoplexy are reduced.

Choice of Prosthetics / Materials / Brands used

If you are considering mastopexy in conjunction with breast augmentation surgery, please read about the types of implant and ensure you have full information from your own surgeon about which implant is best suited to your needs.  For further information, see: Breast Augmentation: Implants.

The Consultation

It is important at your consultation with the surgeon that you establish your aims for the breast uplift surgery.  You need to explain clearly what degree of lift, figure and firmness you are aiming for.  If you like, bring along a photo of the breast image you hope to achieve.  Your surgeon will be able to advise you if your goals are attainable.  The surgeon will also discuss other interventions you may consider such as breast augmentation or reduction. 

Be candid with your surgeon and honest about any emotional issues such as self-consciousness, body image, and any embarrassment your breasts have caused you.  It is important that you demonstrate you are fully aware of the implications of the breast uplift surgery on your lifestyle and psychological well being. 

Although you should have no problem breast feeding following mastopexy, it is important to let your surgeon know if you are nursing or intend to conceive following surgery.  These aspects may have a bearing on whether you should undergo the surgery now, or postpone it. 

You will also be asked to talk about hereditary characteristics, and perhaps any incidences of breast cancer in your family and other details relating to your wider medical health. 

If you are on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) or the contraceptive pill, you may be asked to stop taking these around six weeks prior to surgery.  You will receive a list of pre-op instructions and guidelines. 

What to expect from the surgeon

Be prepared to supply information on and/or discuss:

• Your expectations of the surgery
• Any medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
• Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
• Any previous surgery
• Any family history that may be relevant such as hereditary characteristics of body frame and breast size, and any instances of breast cancer 

During the consultation, your surgeon is likely to:

• Assess your general health
• Evaluate any health conditions
• Examine your breasts and draw on them to indicate incision marks and areas of excess skin to be removed, as well as the new position of nipples and areolas
• Discuss the likely results of your surgery
• Discuss the value of and any complications of your breast uplift
• Take photographs for medical records
• Talk about the type of anesthetic used, its effects etc

You may be asked in preparation for surgery to:

• Take or stop certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Have certain lab tests or further medical evaluation such as an X-ray mammogram
• Refrain from smoking in advance of surgery
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Questions you should ask

It is important that you are fully informed of the after care, any possible complications and the likely results of your surgery.  You will also need to know how the procedure is carried out, in particular where incisions are made and where any scarring is likely.  Below is a checklist of some key questions to ask:

• How will the surgery be performed? Where are incisions made and why?
• How do I best prepare for the operation
• Do I need assistance in post-operative care?
• What results can I expect?
• What side effects or complications may occur? 
• Will I still have nipple sensitivity post op?
• What discomfort will I have? 
• How will my breasts look immediately post op (bruising, swelling etc) and in the longer term?
• Are there any activities or environments I should avoid while I recover?
• Following the operation, how much exercise can I take and when can I start?  
• What other cosmetic procedures can I consider in conjunction with my breast uplift – either back to back or at the same time?
• What instructions should I follow after the operation?