What is a Breast Lift?

A women’s breast often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes, including loss of skin elasticity, can result from pregnancy, breast-feeding, weight fluctuations, aging, and gravity. Heredity may also be a factor, and a woman in her teens may experience loose, sagging breast tissue. Breasts that have lost their firm, uplifted contours can affect a woman’s self-image and confidence.

If you desire to restore the firmness and shape of your breasts, then a breast lift may be right for you. In general, a breast lifts raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Sometimes the areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple) has become enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well. A breast lift rejuvenates the female figure with a breast profile that is more youthful, uplifted and firm.

This brochure presents an overview of breast lift. The best way to learn how a breast lift can help fulfill your personal goals is a consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery® or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®.

What is a Breast Lift?

Breast lift, technically called mastopexy, is surgery to uplift and improve the shape of a female breast that:

• Sags or is pendulous, but is proportionate with the body frame
• Has a flatter, elongated shape
• When unsupported, the nipple falls below he breast crease
• Has a nipple and areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple) that point downward
• Has stretched skin and an enlarged areola

A breast lift is appropriate for women who wish to improve breast shape and position. When an increase in breast volume is also desired, breast implants may be inserted in conjunction with a breast lift.

While a breast lift does not generally affect breast function, women who are planning future pregnancies should discuss this with their plastic surgeon. The changes that occur in the breast during pregnancy can minimize or reverse the improvement a breast lift provides. Likewise, plans for significant weight loss should also be discussed. For these reasons, good candidates for a breast lift are generally women of normal, stable weight whose breasts are fully developed and who have completed their family. Breast lift is appropriate in younger women as well, most commonly in cases of breast asymmetry where the position of ones breast is lower than the other.

A breast lift is best performed on:

• Healthy individuals who do not have life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improving body image

Where do I begin?

A consultation with your plastic surgeon is the first step to learn how a breast lift can improve your breast contours. A consultation is designed to fully educate you about breast lift in a non-pressured environment, and will include:

• A discussion of your goals and an evaluation of your individual case
• The options available in breast lift surgery
• The likely outcomes of a breast lift and any risks or potential complications
• The prescribed course of treatment recommended by your plastic surgeon

Your plastic surgeon will also answer your questions

Evaluations

Overall health and personal outlook can greatly impact the outcome of breast lift surgery. These will be carefully evaluated in consultation with your plastic surgeon. The success of your procedure, safety and overall satisfaction requires that you:

• Honestly share your expectations with your plastic surgeon
• Fully disclose health history, current medications, the use of vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs
• Be candid about any history of breast cancer in your family and your personal breast health
• Commit to precisely following all of your plastic surgeon’s instruction

Safety

By making the decision to consult with your plastic surgeon and following all the instructions give, you are taking and important step in helping to assure your safety.

Your plastic surgeon is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery® or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®. This certification designates surgeons who are specifically trained in plastic surgery of the face and entire body.

My Breast Lift

Breast lift is a highly individualized procedure achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques. The appropriate technique for your case will be determined based on:

• Breast size and shape
• The size and position of the areola
• The degree of breast sagging
• Skin quality and skin elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin

There are many variations to the procedure, however one of the most common is a pattern with tree incisions:

• Around the areola
• Vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
• Horizontally along the breast crease

Though these incisions, the underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness. The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height. If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter. Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.

Alternative techniques eliminate either the horizontal incision at the breast crease, the vertical incision from the areola to the breast crease or sometimes both. In any case, incisions are usually placed so that they can be hidden underclothing and swimsuits. Non-removable sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.

Preparing for surgery

Your plastic surgeon will carefully explain your breast lift procedure. Prior to surgery, you will be given specific instructions that may include:

• Pre-surgical considerations, diagnostic testing and medications
• Day of surgery instructions and medications
• Specific information related to the use of anesthesia

In addition, you will be asked to sign consent forms to assure your plastic surgeon that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any potential risks or complications.

Possible risks of a breast lift include blood poking beneath the skin (hematoma), infection or poor healing at the incision site, and changes in nipple and breast sensations that are usually temporary. All surgery carries risks associated with anesthesia. These and other risks will be fully discussed prior to your consent.

It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon. It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement for the anticipated outcomes or preoperative stress. Discuss these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

What to expect

A breast lift may be performed in your plastic surgeon’s accredited office-based surgical facility, an ambulatory surgical facility or a hospital under local anesthesia with or without sedation, or general anesthesia. The decision for anesthesia will be based on the requirements of your specific procedure and considerations of patient and surgeon preference. Your plastic surgeon and the assisting staff will fully attend to your comfort and safely.

Following surgery

Once your procedure is completed, dressing or bandages will be applied to your incisions, and an elastic bandaged or support bra will minimize swelling and support the breasts as they heal. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood that may collect. Before being released following surgery, you and an accompanying family member, friend or caregiver will be give specific instructions that may include:

• How to care for the breasts following surgery
• Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection specific changes at the surgical site or in overall health
• Specific changes at the surgical site or in overall health
• When to follow-up with your plastic surgeon

Progress and healing

Initial healing will include swelling and discomfort at the incision sites. Discomfort is common and can be controlled with medication. A support bra may be recommended around the clock for the first week or two. It is important to cleanse the incision sites and apply ointment as directed. Follow all instruction carefully; this is essential to the success of your outcome. A return to light, normal activity is possible as soon as you feel ready, usually within a few days of surgery.

Initial wound healing may take 5 to 10 days, at which time any sutures will be removed. You will be ready to return to work and normal activity at this time, so long as you do not engage in any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise.

Healing will continue for several weeks as swelling dissipates and incisions lines continue to improve. Continue to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.

Results and outlook

The final results of your breast lift will appear over the next few months as breast shape and position continue to settle. Incision lines are permanent, but they most likely won’t be visible even under your favorite bathing suit.

Over time, your breasts can continue to change due to aging and gravity. Your new breast profile is best maintained by maintaining your weight, a healthy lifestyle and proper support of your now firm and rejuvenated breasts.

Your Surgeon, Your Choice

Choosing to have cosmetic or reconstructive plastic surgery is an important decision; so is selecting a plastic surgeon. Consider these important guidelines:

board certification – Not all physicians who perform plastic surgery or who use the title plastic surgeon are board certified in plastic surgery.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery® (ABPS) and The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada® certify physicians in plastic surgery of the face and entire body. To be certified by either board, a plastic surgeon must:

• Graduate from an accredited medical school
• Complete a minimum of five years of surgical training following medical school, including an accredited plastic surgery residency program
• Pass comprehensive written and oral exams

privileges – Your surgeon should have operating privileges at an accredited, local hospital for the same procedure you plan to have performed – even if that surgeon suggests your procedure be performed in an accredited office-based surgical facility or at an ambulatory surgery center.