Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
What does the surgery involve?
A mastopexy is performed under a general anaesthetic (you will be fully unconscious). Providing there are no complications, you can expect to go home on the day of surgery.
Incisions are necessary to sculpt the breasts into a smaller and perter shape. The incisions are made around the areola, vertically down from the areola to the breast crease and horizontally in the breast crease under the breast.
Excess breast tissue and skin are removed. The entire breast is reshaped with the nipples lifted to a higher and more youthful position. The incisions are closed with sutures that are hidden under the skin and dissolve themselves. Sutures will not be visible; therefore, scarring is reduced to a minimum.
The surgery takes between two and three hours to complete.
What are the risks and side effects of surgery?
Having cosmetic surgery can be a very positive experience. Complications are infrequent and usually minor. However no surgery is without risk and you should be aware of any possible problems.
Scars
The scars are usually hidden in the crease under the breast, around the areola and vertically down the middle of the breast, from the lower areola border to the crease under the breast. They normally settle remarkably well, so that the scars are barely perceptible. However, some patients heal with thick, thin or stretched scars, which can be noticeable.
Bruising and swelling
A degree of swelling and bruising is normal, and this may take approximately 3 weeks to settle.
Haematoma
This is a collection of blood in the pocket created by the implant. It does occur in between 1% to 4% of women who undergo a breast augmentation procedure. It tends to occur within 1 to 3 days post-surgery.
Any increase in swelling or pain should be reported immediately for assessment. Should the haematoma be significant, it will have to be washed out in theatre and any bleeding vessel(s) identified and cauterised. This does not normally delay your recovery or change the cosmetic result.
Infection
The risk of infection is inherent with any surgical procedure, albeit very uncommon in elective breast procedures. Antibiotics are administered during surgery and for 7 days after surgery to minimise the risks. Less than 1% of patients develop an infection post-operatively and rarely require any intervention, apart from further antibiotic treatment.
Numbness, reduced sensation or oversensitivity
This can occur in the nipple or breast. This is usually temporary, but occasionally these changes can remain to some degree.
Wound healing problems
These are rare but can happen around the nipple or at the T junction (where the horizontal and vertical scars meet). These healing difficulties can range from minor problems, such as small scabs or areas of wound separation, to major issues, such as skin or nipple loss. Although very rare, this situation may require a skin graft to close the wound, meaning further surgery.
Patients who have diabetes, smoke, are obese or elderly are at an increased risk of delayed healing.
Asymmetry
Each breast is slightly different and will continue to be so following surgery; remember, “they are sisters and not twins”. However, if you have noticeable asymmetry prior to your surgery, then this can be corrected as part of the surgery as discussed with you.
DVT/PE
Following any surgical procedure it is possible to develop a blood clot in your legs, which could potentially break off and move to your lungs. If the blood clot is large enough it could prove fatal. In order to reduce any risks of this we give you special stockings to wear in bed and a blood thinning injection if you are not mobile.
Breastfeeding
Not all patients will be able to breastfeed after breast surgery, reduction or mastopexy. If you have further family plans and wish to breastfeed then this procedure should be delayed.
Fat necrosis
Sometimes areas of fat within the breast scar form hard lumps called fat necrosis. Usually, no specific treatment is required, and the problem settles down over a 12-month period.
What is the estimated time for recovery, absence from work and return to usual activities?
When you get home, you should take things easy for the first week or so. Most patients take 1 to 2 weeks off from work. You should be able to drive from 2 weeks, return to the gym for lower body work at 4 weeks and begin upper body exercises at 6 weeks.
You will need to wear your support bra day and night for 6 weeks to help shape and support the breasts as they settle.
