Breast lift (Mastopexy)

Breast Lift is a procedure designed to improve the shape of the breast and correct its descent from its normal position. Several conditions predispose to a descended breast, being pregnancy and breast feeding the most important. This procedure can be done alone or in conjunction with breast implants in order to achieve a better volume. Excess skin is removed and the breast is reshaped to obtain a firm, normal breast.

Surgery takes between 2 and 3 hours; it is performed using sedation and local anesthesia and the recovery time is usually between 7 and 10 days.

Surgery Options

The type of incision to be performed is determined by the characteristics of each breast. The amount of descent of the nipple is the most important factor.

The degree of lift needed generally will determine the number and length of the incisions. The more lift a patient needs, the more likely the patient will need a lift with more extensive incisions. In other words, someone who needs a significant lift likely will not be a candidate for a periareolar incision, but rather the anchor incision.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgery, there is risk of complications related to infection or reaction to anesthesia. A proper assessment of every patient, along with complete lab work, will help in the prevention of postoperative complications. After healing, scars are handled with special treatments to help in the minimization of their appearance.