Breast Lift

A breast lift or mastopexy raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support a more compact breast shape.

To benefit from a breast lift you must have some natural droop to the breasts. This commonly occurs as a result of pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss and aging.Sometimes the areola (the coloured area around the nipple) becomes stretched over time, and a breast lift can also correct this. A breast lift aims to produce a breast shape that is youthful, with the nipples pointing forwards.A breast lift will not produce much additional fullness in the upper part of the breast (an implant is the only sure way of doing this). However, with a more compact breast, most women report that it is much easier to fill and create effects in a bra after a breast lift.

There are different techniques for doing a breast lift depending on the size, shape and consistency of your breast. Most involve a scar around the nipple and vertically downwards from the nipple to the crease under the breast. Some ladies also require a scar along this crease.

Admission and Aftercare

You are generally admitted on the day of surgery, occasionally the day before. You will be re-examined and the site of the scars drawn on the breasts. The operation takes about 2 to 4 hours depending on the extent of surgery required. Dissolvable stitches are used and a waterproof dressing applied. Usually this dressing will be left alone for about 10 days. A support dressing is used for 24 hrs and after it is removed you will be advised to wear a supportive bra day and night for a couple of weeks. A day case operation is possible but most women are recommended to stay overnight and some women stay 2 nights. This often depends upon your general fitness and the degree to which you can be looked after at home.

Recovery

Breast reduction is an operation that is not associated with a lot of pain. It is however associated with tenderness that gradually settles over a few weeks. You will need to take mild pain-killers for the first few days. Most women are able to perform normal activities within a few days of this operation. Overall recovery and return to work will depend upon a variety of factors including what type of work you do (e.g. lifting may be uncomfortable for a few weeks).