Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Mastopexy consists of:

• Lifting the areola and nipple (areolomammillary complex) using a circular incision around the areola.
• Removal of the skin and fixation of the areola in a new position.
• In this way, it is possible to lift the breast to desired position and to reduce the total size of the areola, which is sometimes significantly enlarged. 
  
• The operation takes 1.5 to 3.5 hours. The length of the operation depends on the severity of the breast droop and therefore also on the chosen operation that corrects this droop.

More serious breast sagging is also associated with the need of resection of the skin under the areola (thus extending the scar vertically) and sometimes the reduction of the breast volume is necessary - reduction mammaplasty.

Breast lift is designed for women with sagging breasts in which the nipple lies below the line of the breast crease (inframammary groove).

Best candidates are women with a stable weight (so the result can have a long-lasting effect) and it preferable to perform the operation after the end of breastfeeding, because pregnancy and breastfeeding also bring changes in the shape and volume of the breasts.

Before the procedure, a breast examination using mammography or sonography in order to rule out oncological disease.

• The surgery should preferably be carried out in the first week after menstruation, because then the breasts are less perfused and retain less amount of fluids water in the tissue.
• If a hormonal contraception is used, it is recommended to discontinue it and to plan the operation at least one to three months after discontinuation.
• The operation takes place under general anesthesia, therefore all pre-operative examinations required by the anesthesiologist (blood tests, EKG, lung examination) are necessary.

Aftercare

• Pain is reduced with analgesics (pain killers) for few days.
• Breasts are bandaged with dressings, which are replaced with an elastic or sports bra for 3 - 6 weeks.
• If the breasts have been reduced in volume, it is necessary to wear an elastic bra continuously 24 hours a day for 6 weeks.
• Hard physical activities are not recommended earlier than a month after surgery.
• The following six months, it is also necessary to protect the resulting scars from direct sunlight.

The result of the operation is permanent, but it is necessary to take into account that over time, due to the influence of gravity, a slight decrease of the breasts may occur. It is therefore necessary to wait around 6 months for the definitive outcome.

The advantage of the operation is the correction of the nipple position and the adjustment of any asymmetry.

In the case of breast reduction, it is also a relief from the pain caused by their excessive size, as well as higher self-esteem and satisfaction with their appearance.

Risks and complications of mastopexy include:

• Change in nipple sensitivity (numbness).
• The presence of scars around the areola and possibly vertical scars and scars below the breast crease.
• Sometimes it is the appearance of hematomas (bruising) and persistent asymmetry.