WHAT IS A MASTOPEXY (BREAST LIFT)?
A mastopexy, or ‘breast lift surgery’, is a surgical procedure that aims to lift and reshape sagging breasts in order to give them a rejuvenated appearance and improved position and contour. It differs from breast augmentation as it does not always include enlarging the size of the breast with implants, but instead focuses on correcting its general appearance.
Sagging or drooping breasts usually occur naturally with age and are completely normal. Over time, the surrounding ligaments lose their elasticity, though breast-feeding and other hormonal changes can also be contributing factors. At Panthea Clinics, we are experienced in performing this type of surgery on patients who wish to correct and lift their breasts.
If you’re interested in breast lift surgery, contact Panthea’s Sydney or Canberra clinics today to learn more about how our team of our medical professionals can offer advice on the topic.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A BREAST LIFT SURGERY
Dr Farhadieh – an experienced specialist plastic surgeon – will meet with you for an initial consultation in order to explain the surgery in detail, get an understanding of what you want from it and answer any questions.
To ensure that all your needs are met, he will thoroughly review your medical history, including things such as:
- Any history of thyroid gland abnormalities
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Regular medications and dietary supplements
In this consultation, you will be asked to clearly address any concerns you have and what issues you want addressed. A physical examination will be undertaken and preoperative photographs taken as part of your confidential medical records. The options for breast rejuvenation will be discussed with you thoroughly, including any possible complications. These include infection, bleeding, asymmetry, scarring and nipple areolar complex loss partial or complete.
Similar to breast reduction surgery, this procedure involves an incision surrounding the nipple and a vertical incision on the lower part of the breast to gain access to the breast tissue. The surgery then seeks to re-cone the breast shape and reposition the nipple–areola complex to a more youthful position. We often perform breast lifts in either our Sydney or Canberra clinics as a day procedure. You should have someone to drive you home and stay with you overnight after the procedure to ensure you are properly assisted if you need it.
Smokers will be asked to stop smoking for 3–6 weeks prior to surgery and to abstain for at least 3–6 weeks during their postoperative period. All aspirin and blood-thinning medications or supplements should be ceased at least 2 weeks prior to surgery, where appropriate.
POST-OPERATIVE CARE
For the first week post-surgery, you will be given oral medication in order to relieve any pain or discomfort you may experience. Although most regular activities can be commenced in the first few days, strenuous activity, and particularly upper body exercises, should be avoided for at least 6 weeks. Sexual activity can resume after one week, but extreme care must be taken with the breasts as they will take 6-8 weeks to fully heal. Supportive garments can help to reduce postoperative swelling and should be worn during the first 8-12 postoperative weeks. Its vital to remember that surgical outcomes vary between patients based on age, genetics, diet, built, exercise regime and other factors. The results may be different in each case.
All surgeries come with inherent risks. These will be discussed in detail with you, they include nipple loss, infection, postoperative bleeding, asymmetry, scarring, wound breakdown. Dr Farhadieh will explain these to you just as he does with all other surgeries performed at Panthea Clinics– such as breast augmentation, breast reductions and abdominoplasty – Dr Farhadieh will discuss these risks with you during your consultation.
After discharge from hospital, you will see us again at your postoperative appointment. We will review your and your breast lift’s condition in our Sydney or Canberra clinic at regular intervals after this.
GET IN TOUCH WITH US IN CANBERRA OR SYDNEY TO ENQUIRE ABOUT BREAST LIFT SURGERY
Whether you’ve been thinking about getting a breast lift for years or simply want to enquire about whether it would be a good option for you, Panthea Clinics can guide you through the process. Get in touch with either our Sydney or Canberra clinics today to speak to one of our experienced medical professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is some discomfort associated with surgery. Most patients report a ‘tightness’, rather than pain, due to the excellent modern anaesthetic pain control regimes, which includes local anaesthetic for the immediate postoperative period as well as powerful analgesics. However, its vital that you note that pain perception and recovery may be different with each individual.
The breasts will not only heal during the first 6 weeks, but will also gradually find their natural postoperative position. Gravity, healing and surgery drive this process. The incision scars will fade over the first 12 months and will often be barely visible beyond the first year.
Within 2 weeks you will be back at work and able to resume most normal activities. During the subsequent weeks you will be able to return to your pre-surgery levels of activity.
As part of the preoperative assessment Dr Farhadieh will discuss the incision placement with you. The most common sites involve an incision around the nipple with a vertical component extending towards the lower pole of the breast. The scars are well camouflaged and will fade considerably within 12 months after surgery.
Dr Farhadieh believes that the relationship between doctor and patient is sacred and privileged. Our practice is based on compassion, honesty, transparency and, above all, patient welfare. We pride ourselves on making sure that you feel supported at all times. We will be available during all stages of your journey and will schedule short-, medium- and long-term follow-up appointments as part of our overall practice.
1. There are some general risks associated with ANY operation, which include:
a) Infection in surgical wound(s) with resultant redness, pain and possible discharge. In severe cases, wound(s) could break open and need to be re-sutured. Often small areas of breakdown are treated conservatively with dressings and they heal without any significant sequelae.
b) Possible bleeding in surgical wound(s) with swelling or bruising.
c) Secretions may accumulate in the lungs and cause a chest infection.
d) Deep vein thrombosis.
e) Death is possible during or after an operation following severe complications.
f) Smoking significantly increases the risk of complications. Therefore, you should completely stop smoking at least 4 weeks prior to surgery, and refrain from smoking for at least 4 weeks.
2. The following facts, risks and complications apply specifically to THIS operation:
a) Antibiotics are given during and after the operation, to minimise the risk of infection. The rate of infection following breast reduction & lift surgery is low (approx. <1%). If infection was to occur, it would be treated with the usual techniques. In severe cases, treatment may involve being admitted to hospital for intravenous antibiotics; and further surgery may be required, including the temporary removal of an infected implant.
b) Bruising and swelling is normal, but the severity can vary with each patient. If bleeding occurs after surgery, a clot (haematoma) can occur. If this occurs, it often requires surgical evacuation. The risk of this occurring within the first few days after surgery is about 0.5-1%. The risk of increased bruising or bleeding can be reduced by abstaining from medications such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or other blood thinning agents, for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. See Pre Op Medication Information sheet for more details.
c) The incisions will result in scar formation. Dr Farhadieh will endeavour to keep the incisions as minimal as possible, and these scars will soften and fade with time. You will be instructed as to how best care for scars to optimise results.
d) Postoperative pain experienced varies from very mild to significant discomfort. You will be given plenty of pain relieving medication following your surgery and this should keep you comfortable, no matter what your level of discomfort.
e) It is common to have intermittent mild discomfort, or sometimes, intermittent sharp pains in the first few weeks after surgery, as the swelling resolves and the nerves recover.
f) Numbness of parts of the breasts and nipples is common following surgery and is generally temporary. You may experience a change in the sensitivity of the nipples and the skin of the breast. Permanent loss of nipple sensation may occur after a reduction in one or both nipples.
g) Delayed healing can sometimes occur along the margins of the incisions; and occasionally there is some loss of the skin edges or of the nipple itself (less than 1%), requiring prolonged dressings or additional surgery for correction.
h) In all breast reduction surgery, there is the possibility of issues with the nipple areolar area healing properly. This is because the nipple areolar area will be moved to a new location during your operation and whenever anatomical regions are moved from one place to another, healing may be delayed or non-existent. At worst, the nipple/areolar may not heal at all and require complete surgical reconstruction. This risk is most apparent in smokers, which is why Dr Farhadieh does not perform this operation in active smokers and needs you off any nicotine-containing product for at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. In a non-smoking patient the chance of these issues occurring is very low.
i) The sutures used to close the incisions on your breasts are completely dissolvable, but they may be felt through the skin for up to 6-9 months after surgery.
j) Breasts may feel irregular (lumpy), firm, and uncomfortable following breast reduction surgery; however, this will in most cases subside with time.
k) Breast tissue and/or skin will be removed during breast reduction surgery. Any tissue removed during surgery will be sent to pathology for examination.
l) Most patients will need to take about a week off work. Vigorous upper body exercise or any activity that involves ‘bouncing’ of the breasts should be avoided for 4-6 weeks.
m) Your ability to breastfeed may be affected following surgery. If you intend to breastfeed after this procedure, it is important that you discuss this with Dr Farhadieh prior to your procedure.
n) It is almost impossible to get the breasts looking identical. Dr Farhadieh will make them as symmetrical as possible. Over time, some women may experience one breast growing quicker than the other or subtle changes in the nipple areolar shape or position as the body adapts to the new breasts. Asymmetry will always be more marked with any weight fluctuations you may experience over the years after surgery, or with minimal supportive bra wear.
o) The body continues to change over time. To preserve your results, it is of utmost importance to wear good supportive bras when exercising and maintain a stable weight.
p) The aim of breast reduction surgery is improvement rather than perfection. Further operations may occasionally be required to improve the results.
q) It may be that you are not satisfied with the final aesthetic outcome
r) Scar hypertrophy and keloid may form and may be permanent.
