Breast lifting (Mastopexy)
A number of factors can cause women’s breasts to lose their shape and firmness, such as pregnancy, age, and gravity. Over the passage of time, the skin loses its elasticity and the breasts often begin to sag. If you would like to increase the size of your breasts, augmentation can be carried out in conjunction with mastopexy. Breast uplift surgery can raise and reshape such breasts for a time - though surgery cannot permanently delay natural changes. Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple.
The Procedure for breast uplift surgeryTo achieve the ‘lift' that is required from a breast mastopexy operation, the loose skin is removed whilst at the same time, the nipple is repositioned centrally on the new, now firmer breast. If there is only a small amount of breast tissue present, implants can be inserted during the surgery to improve size at the same time. The breast uplift procedure takes from one and a half to three hours for both breasts and usually involves an overnight stay in hospital.
Following surgery, to keep the breasts supported, you will need to wear a supportive bra (e.g. sports bra) day and night for 6 weeks. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable for a day or two but the pain should not be severe and can be relieved by prescription medications. For protection you wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over gauze dressings.
After a few days you will be able to switch to a soft support bra. You can expect some loss of sensations around your nipples but should improve after about six weeks. In some patients, however, the numbness may last a year or more, and rarely it may be permanent.
Similar to other breast surgery, rest is recommended and no upper body exercise for 6 weeks. You may return to work after 1 to 2 weeks providing the job does not involve excessive lifting.