Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery: 10 Things to Know

19 Feb Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery: 10 Things to Know

If you want to address skin laxity or excess skin on the breasts and are considering surgery, a breast lift (mastopexy) may elevate the breasts, addressing loose skin. Sometimes, a breast lift (mastopexy) can also adjust the placement of the nipples, to suit the new breast position and shape.

If you’re thinking about undergoing a breast lift (mastopexy), it’s a good idea to read up on all of the essential information and familiarise yourself with your options. When you’re ready, you can book a consultation with your chosen surgeon, such as Sydney-based Dr Peter Laniewski. A consultation will provide you with more information and help you decide if the procedure is suitable for you.

In the meantime, we’ll go over the key information you need to know about breast lifts (mastopexy) in this blog! Read on to learn more.

What is a breast lift (mastopexy)?

A breast lift, also called a mastopexy, can lift the breasts to a position that suits your personal body shape. As we age, or with other body changes such as significant weight loss or pregnancy, the breasts can change shape, lose volume and be affected by skin laxity. A breast lift can remove excess skin and even address the placement of the nipples, as sometimes the nipples can begin to move in position or point downwards.

To address the breast tissue, a breast lift (mastopexy) is a personalised procedure, using a variety of steps, incision placements and techniques. When you meet with your surgeon, they will assess the condition of your breasts and discuss your personal expectations to design your procedure.

Who are suitable candidates for breast lift (mastopexy) surgery?

Suitable breast lift (mastopexy) candidates are those who want to address breasts that may have been affected by the natural ageing process, weight loss, pregnancy or other factors.

Candidates for surgery will need to be in good general health. During a consultation, your surgeon will discuss past and current health factors that may affect your suitability for surgery. Some contraindications to surgery can include serious health conditions, or currently being pregnant or breastfeeding. Ideally, candidates will also have undergone their final pregnancy and breastfeeding, as future pregnancies can interfere with the results of a breast lift. Weight fluctuations in the future can also interfere with the initial results, so candidates should also be at or close to their weight goals and want to maintain this after the procedure.

The condition of your breasts can also influence your suitability for a breast lift. Your chosen surgeon will need to examine the breasts, considering aspects such as skin elasticity, the amount of sagging and the position of the nipples. After examining your breasts, you will be able to discuss your procedure options and determine if a breast lift is the right choice. It will also help your surgeon to plan the steps of your procedure, choosing the most suitable techniques.

Last, but not least, suitable candidates should have realistic expectations for the procedure’s results. You can ensure that you have realistic expectations by communicating openly with your surgeon during your consultation, explaining your procedure goals and ensuring that you understand your procedure steps.

The different types of breast lifts (mastopexy)

A breast lift (mastopexy) comes with a variety of options when it comes to incision placement and techniques, ensuring that your surgeon can design the best approach to suit your needs. The placement and pattern of incisions influences how much access the surgeon has to different areas of the breasts, and will also determine where scarring will be. We’ll discuss scarring later on in the blog.

Firstly, a traditional mastopexy typically uses an anchor-shaped incision, which consists of a circular incision around the areola, a vertical incision towards the breast crease and another incision horizontally along the breast crease. With three incisions to create an anchor pattern, this approach allows for moderate to severe skin laxity on the breasts to be addressed. It can achieve significant results, which can make it a suitable option for those who want a more dramatic lift.

The second option is a lollipop or vertical lift, which involves a circular incision around the areola and another incision vertically towards the breast crease. It is basically like the anchor-shaped incision, but without the third incision horizontally along the breast crease, making it slightly less extensive. It can generally be suitable for those with more moderate skin laxity or sagging.

The third common option, suitable for mild to moderate sagging or skin laxity, is the peri-areolar or donut lift. This incision type simply involves one circular incision around the areola. It can limit the surgeon’s access to other areas of the breasts, however, if it is a sufficient option, it can significantly reduce the visibility of scarring.

The type of breast lift and incision pattern that is right for you will depend on your level of sagging and your personal goals.

What will recovery be like?

As with any surgery, recovering from a breast lift (mastopexy) will require some patience and can involve following some important recovery instructions.

Initially, it will be normal to experience some discomfort, pain, swelling and bruising after the procedure. Your surgeon can recommend some steps to follow to help you manage this. Usually, patients can be prescribed some pain medication and will need to wear a supportive bra. A supportive bra can help swelling subside faster.

As for how long recovery can take, it will depend on the complexity of your procedure and the rate of your individual healing. Generally, you may be able to return to a normal daily routine about one to two weeks after your surgery, as long as you are cleared by your surgeon and will avoid strenuous exercise. Since your body will need sufficient rest, you may be instructed to avoid strenuous exercise for up to four to six weeks, particularly avoiding exercise that focuses on the chest area.

Once you have recovered from the procedure, maintaining a stable weight will help to maintain your results in the longer-term.

A little more information to keep in mind about scarring

As we mentioned earlier, how your scarring will appear depends on the incision pattern your surgeon has chosen. You should discuss the details of your surgery plan before the day of your procedure, so that you will understand how scarring will appear before agreeing to go through with the surgery.

When it comes to scarring, all surgery does create some scars, but they can be minimised by ensuring efficient healing of your incisions and following some aftercare instructions. You should care for your incision sites by keeping them clean and dry, minimising the risk of infection or poor wound healing. Protecting the incision sites from excessive sun exposure can also prevent the scars from worsening.

Further scar management strategies, like using topical cream or silicone products and LED HEALITE therapy can help to minimise the visibility of scars. After the area has fully healed, you may also have other treatment options, such as laser treatments, that can help to treat scarring.

Choosing Dr Peter Laniewski for a breast lift (mastopexy) in Sydney

Before you select a surgeon to visit for a breast lift consultation, you should ensure that they are an experienced, qualified plastic surgeon with the right level of training and skills.

Plastic Surgeon Dr Peter Laniewski has undergone fellowships in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as trained with renowned plastic surgeons in London. Dr Laniewski also attended cosmetic courses in New York, Germany and France, with the desire to continue to refine his techniques.

If you’re considering a breast lift (mastopexy), contact our team to book your initial consultation!