Breast lift surgery or mastopexy is a surgical procedure to lift or elevate the breast.
The breast tends to yield to gravity, either by its own weight, pregnancy, lactation, or large variations in weight, as well as other physical changes.
Sagging and sagging of the breasts is almost inevitable but in some people it is more pronounced than in others; plastic surgery can improve the appearance of the breast in these cases. Something that every good surgeon will tell his patients is that the results of this plastic surgery are not for life, with the years the breast will sag and fall again.
Normally, to elevate the breast, the surgeon has to cut the excess skin, correct the flaccidity and accommodate the remaining skin to achieve firmness. Generally, and to give naturalness, it is necessary to move the areola and nipple to a higher position.
All this means that there will be several incisions:
- A horizontal one, in the part of the groove the breast joins to the torso (this is covered a little by the shadow of the bust).
- There is also a vertical scar that goes from the bottom of the areola down to the furrow; this scar is the most visible and although with time if there is good healing it will become less visible, it is impossible to make it disappear. It is the classic inverted T scar. The more pronounced the sagging or drooping, the more skin will need to be cut and the larger the scars will usually be.
The doctor will tell you, based on his experience, what is the best alternative in terms of the firmness that can be achieved. Even so, the patient should feel free to express her desire. In some cases the ability to lactate may be lost, although the technique used usually preserves it. Normally, and if desired, the size of the areola is also corrected. The size of the breast usually decreases with mastopexy.
In several cases, to obtain better results it is necessary to use an additional implant to the lift (Mastopexy with prosthesis). This increases the size and improves the shape and texture of the breasts. It can be used because the person desires larger breasts or because a lot of breast tissue or fat has been lost.
Many doctors believe that with the use of the implant the results of the surgery last longer. In addition, in this case the scar is usually smaller, being reduced, in many cases, only to the periareolar scar.
Mastopexy Technique
Mastopexy is an operation that is usually performed under general anesthesia, with one day of admission. An aspirative drainage is worn for about 24 hours and a bandage for a week.
During the first week should avoid sudden movements, do not take weight or drive, wear a bra without underwire for 2 months day and night and do not wear a bra without underwire until the 4th postoperative month. Do not exercise during the first month.
It always involves a scar and the results are very durable, especially in the case of mastopexy with prostheses.
Results and risks of a mastopexy
The definitive results are obtained after 6 months. The sensitivity of the breast may be altered but normally it recovers completely.
Any surgical intervention, both for the technique itself and for the health condition of each patient (diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, anemia, obesity, advanced age … etc.), involves a number of possible common complications and other potentially more important.
In this surgery there are usually wide scars in the shape of an inverted T that goes from the perialeolar scar, continues vertically downward and covers the submammary fold.
In addition, circulatory disorders may arise, so it is important to give up smoking. There is a risk of suffering or skin necrosis. In the case of implant placement, the complications inherent to this technique are added.