The breasts change over time due to genetic disposition, weight loss, aging, and changes with childbearing leading to dissatisfaction. Breast lift or mastopexy helps restore the youthful shape to the breasts by removing the excess skin to lift the breast and reposition the nipple areolar complex. Breast lift can be done with or without augmentation at the same time with a breast implant. (See pre-op and post-op photos of breast lift without implants.) The scar pattern for the breast lift will depend on your breast shape and the amount of excess skin you have. The typical patterns include anchor scars, lollipop scar or vertical scar, crescent scar, or donut or peri-areolar scar.
Should I get breast augmentation at the same time as my breast lift?
For patients who are happy with their current breast volume and just want their breasts lifted in a more youthful position, then they don’t need to have a breast augmentation at the same time with the breast lift surgery. However, for patients who do not have enough volume due to deflation after weight loss or child birth, or patients who want larger breasts, then a breast augmentation can be done at the same time as the breast lift to increase the breast volume.
Breast Lift Recovery
Patients go home on the same day after surgery. Walking is encouraged. Bruising will resolve in about 2 weeks but swelling will take about 6 weeks. Strenuous activity is not recommended for 6 weeks. A soft elastic bra should be worn at all times for the first six weeks. Underwired bras can be worn after 6 weeks. Patients are back to normal daily activities in about 1 week
Breast Lift Candidates
Ideal candidates are non-smoker, healthy individuals who have maintained an active lifestyle. If you do smoke/vape or use any nicotine product, you need to stop using for at least 2-3 months prior to surgery and remain nicotine free for 3 months after surgery to optimize healing. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued.
What are the complications?
As with any surgery, there is risk of bleeding, infection, hematoma, fluid collection, tissue necrosis, nipple necrosis, open wound, contour deformity, scarring, asymmetry, decrease or no sensation in the surgical area, decreased or no sensation to nipple, changes in pigmentation of the areolar, and need for further surgery. Most breasts are not perfectly symmetric, so slight asymmetry can occur after breast lift. Higher risk of wound complication and tissue necrosis are seen in patients who have wound healing problems including uncontrolled diabetes and smoker/vapers using nicotine products. It’s essential to have your diabetes controlled and stop using nicotine products before and after surgery. Otherwise, your risk of skin and tissue necrosis and open wound is extremely high that surgery should not be pursued.
