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Breast Lift

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Breast lift is indicated for patients who have loose skin and/or sagging of the breast tissue and nipple. The procedure involves repositioning of the nipple and removal of excess skin. In most cases, best results are obtained when the lift is combined with a breast augmentation. The lift places the nipple in its correct position and tightens the loose skin, while the implant provides the needed volume which has been lost.

What Is A Breast Lift?

A breast lift (mastopexy) is a procedure designed to re-establish an attractive breast position and appearance required when the patient has droopiness of the nipples and the skin of the breast (nipple ptosis). This typically occurs after pregnancy, especially if breast feeding was prolonged. It can also occur with patients who have had cycles of major weight gain and loss. In some patients, it is genetic.

If the patient has adequate volume of breast and only requires repositioning of the nipple, then a breast lift alone is sufficient. Unfortunately, in majority of cases, breast ptosis and loss of breast volume go hand in hand. The only way to restore volume to a deflated breast is with a breast implant. A mastopexy is then required to reposition the nipple and tighten the skin envelope.

Types of Breast Lifts Available

  • Donut (peri-areolar) Mastopexy: Indicated in patients who require less than one inch of lift and have minimal to no loose skin in the lower portion of the breast. A circle of skin and areola (if the size of the areola needs to be reduced) is removed, and the incision is then closed. Imagine a donut, with the hole being the nipple/areola, and the actual donut being the area where the skin was removed. As the wound is closed, the surrounding skin is tightened and the nipple is repositioned. The final incision is around the areola in a circular fashion.
  • Full Mastopexy: A full (anchor) mastopexy is required when the nipple is positioned very low, near the base of the breast, and there is significant loose skin in the lower portion of the breast. This type of ptosis requires skin tightening in a three dimensional fashion. The incision is around the areola, extends down in the middle of the breast, and ends at the inframmamary fold (where the breast fold attaches to the skin). Imagine a lolli-pop with a smile at the end of the stick. This is how the incisions for a full mastopexy will look.
  • Vertical Mastopexy: For patients whose breasts are between a donut and full lift, a vertical (lolli-pop) mastopexy is performed. The incision is similar to a lolli-pop, but without the extra "smile."

The determination for the type of lift will be made at the time of consultation. During the consultation, implant sizing will be performed as well (if required).

Many patients are fearful of scarring after a breast lift. However, if the surgery is performed by a well-trained board certified plastic surgeon, the risk of unsightly scars is rare to non-existent, assuming a normal post-operative healing process.

The recovery for a breast augmentation with lift is similar to breast augmentation without a lift. The patients should refrain from upper body activity for at least 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, gradual exercise is resumed as tolerated.