Breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgery commonly performed to give the breasts a more youthful appearance. As part of the ageing process, gravity and reduced elasticity cause the breast tissue to be pulled downwards, causing the breasts to sag and lose firmness. These changes can also occur after pregnancy and breastfeeding or after significant weight loss. A breast lift, which lifts the breasts and restores their former position and firmness, can help resolve these problems. Breast lifting and breast implant surgery (or breast reduction) are surgeries that can be performed together.
Surgery may be relevant when:
- The breasts are flat or elongated.
- One breast is lower than the other.
- The skin of the breasts is visibly stretched.
- The volume of the breasts does not correspond to the amount of skin covering them.
Breast lift (mastopexy) is a surgery commonly performed to give the breasts a more youthful appearance. As part of the ageing process, gravity and reduced elasticity cause the breast tissue to be pulled downwards, causing the breasts to sag and lose firmness. These changes can also occur after pregnancy and breastfeeding or after significant weight loss. A breast lift, which lifts the breasts and restores their former position and firmness, can help resolve these problems. Breast lifting and breast implant surgery (or breast reduction) are surgeries that can be performed together.
Surgery may be relevant when:
- The breasts are flat or elongated.
- One breast is lower than the other.
- The skin of the breasts is visibly stretched.
- The volume of the breasts does not correspond to the amount of skin covering them.
The process of breast lift
The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. The surgery takes about 2.5 hours.
During the surgery, an anchor-shaped or vertical incision is made from the areola to the bottom of the breast, extending in both directions under the breast. In breast lift surgery, the incision not only removes excess skin but also lifts the areola and nipple. If breast lift surgery and breast augmentation are performed at the same time, the implants are placed under the breast tissue or muscle.
Before surgery
A mammogram (breast ultrasound) and blood tests are carried out before the surgery to ensure that the breast lift does not cause complications.
Post-surgery period
Patients can go home the day after surgery and are advised to return to work as soon as one week later. It is normal to feel pain, breast tenderness, numbness and swelling, stretching, and nipple numbness after the surgery – these sensations should disappear after a few weeks. A special bra should be worn for 3 months after the breast lift and physical activity should be avoided for the same period. Intense physical exertion can cause discomfort and complicate the healing process of the skin and tissues.
Surgical risk
A breast lift is a safe surgery with minimal risks. However, it may be followed by complications such as bleeding, infection, pain, fluid accumulation, tissue necrosis, extensive scarring, nipple insensitivity, chest hypersensitivity, asymmetry, deformities or allergic reactions to anaesthesia. All these complications can usually be avoided by following the surgeon’s recommendations after the surgery.
Results
Although some swelling is expected after surgery, the initial result is visible immediately, and the final result is visible after 6-12 months.
Frequently asked questions
