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Breast Lift

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Breast Lift

Like everything else, our bodies are subject to the laws of gravity. Breastfeeding, changes in weight and ageing can all take their toll. So if you’re not necessarily looking to change cup size, but want to improve the appearance of your breasts, you may want to consider a breast lift.

Breast lift surgery, or mastopexy, is performed to address ptotic or sagging breasts. The main reasons individuals choose to undergo breast lift surgery include:

  1. Ptosis (Breast Sagging): Over time, breasts can lose firmness and elasticity, leading to sagging or drooping. Breast lift surgery can lift and reshape the breasts, restoring a more youthful and lifted appearance.

  2. Loss of Breast Volume: Ageing, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, or genetic factors can cause a loss of breast volume, resulting in deflated-looking breasts. A breast lift can help address this issue by lifting and enhancing breast projection.

  3. Nipple and Areolar Position: Breast sagging can also cause the nipples and areolas to descend lower on the breast. A breast lift surgery repositions the nipples and areolas to a more aesthetically pleasing and youthful location.

Do I Need a Breast Lift or Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast lift surgery focuses primarily on addressing breast sagging and reshaping the breasts to achieve a more uplifted appearance. On the other hand, breast reduction surgery aims to reduce breast size and volume, alleviating physical discomfort associated with excessively large breasts. The decision between a breast lift and breast reduction surgery depends on your specific concerns, including your desired breast size and shape, as well as any physical discomfort you may be experiencing. Consulting with your board-certified specialist plastic surgeon will help determine which procedure is most suitable for you.

Your specialist plastic surgeons, draw from both reconstructive and cosmetic disciplines to consider your individual proportions and deliver natural-looking results in a safe and supportive environment.

Whether you’ve always felt self-conscious about your breasts, or you’ve noticed changes over time, we can help you achieve the breast you’ve always wanted.  

Your Initial Consultation:

During your initial consultation with your specialist plastic surgeon, you will have the opportunity to discuss your goals, concerns, and medical history. It is important to talk to your surgeon about the following:

  1. Allergies: Inform your surgeon about any known allergies, particularly related to medications, anesthesia, or surgical materials.

  2. Bleeding Issues: If you have a history of bleeding disorders or take medications that can affect blood clotting, it is important to disclose this information to your surgeon.

  3. Blood Clots: A history of blood clots or a family history of clotting disorders should be discussed with your surgeon, as it may impact the decision regarding surgical techniques and post-operative care.

  4. Recent or Long Illnesses: Notify your surgeon of any recent or chronic illnesses, as well as any ongoing medical treatments or conditions that may affect your candidacy for surgery or the healing process.

  5. Previous Surgery: Provide information about any previous surgeries you have undergone, as well as their outcomes and any complications experienced.

  6. Breast Cancer: If you have a personal or family history of breast cancer, it is important to discuss this with your surgeon to ensure appropriate screening and consideration of any necessary precautions during the surgery.

Procedure Details:

  1. Anesthesia: Breast lift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia, ensuring that you are asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure.  

  2. Surgery Technique: The specific surgical technique will depend on factors such as the degree of breast sagging, the desired outcome, and the surgeon's preference. The techniques may involve different incision patterns, such as the anchor incision lines. 

  3. Duration of Surgery: The duration of a breast lift surgery can vary depending on the complexity of the case, but typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.

  4. Day Case or Overnight Stay: In most cases, breast lift surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing you to return home the same day. However, in some instances, an overnight stay may be recommended for monitoring and post-operative care.

General Risks of Surgery:

Breast lift surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries general risks, which may include:

  1. Infection: Although rare, there is a risk of infection at the surgical site. Your surgeon will provide instructions on proper wound care to minimize this risk.

  2. Bleeding: Excessive bleeding during or after surgery can occur, requiring intervention to control bleeding, such as additional surgery or blood transfusion.

  3. Adverse Reaction to Anesthesia: While rare, there is a small risk of adverse reactions to anesthesia, such as allergic reactions or breathing difficulties. The anesthesia team will monitor you closely throughout the procedure to minimize these risks.

  4. Poor Wound Healing: In some cases, wounds may heal slowly or improperly, leading to delayed recovery and potential scarring issues. Proper wound care and adherence to post-operative instructions can help minimize this

Specific risks associated with breast lift surgery (mastopexy) include:

  1. Asymmetry: Despite efforts to create symmetrical results, there is a risk of unevenness or asymmetry between the breasts in terms of shape, size, or nipple position. This can occur due to differences in tissue response to surgery or pre-existing breast asymmetry.

  2. Changes in Nipple or Areola Sensation: Some individuals may experience temporary or permanent changes in nipple or areola sensation after breast lift surgery. This can include increased or decreased sensitivity, numbness, or loss of sensation. Most often, these changes are temporary, but in rare cases, they may persist.

  3. Nipple or Areola Complex Complications: Specific risks related to the nipple and areola include changes in shape, size, or position. In some cases, the nipple or areola may become stretched, elongated, or unevenly positioned. These issues can usually be addressed during surgery, but additional revision procedures may be necessary in some instances.

  4. Difficulty with Breastfeeding: Breast lift surgery may impact the ability to breastfeed, particularly if the milk ducts are affected during the procedure. While many women can still breastfeed after a breast lift, there is a risk of reduced milk production or challenges in latching for some individuals. It is important to discuss your desire for future breastfeeding with your surgeon during the consultation.

  5. Fat Necrosis: In rare cases, the fatty tissue within the breast may experience inadequate blood supply, leading to fat necrosis. This can cause firm lumps or areas of hardness in the breast, which may require further evaluation or treatment.

  6. Delayed Wound Healing or Skin Necrosis: In rare instances, the skin around the incision sites may not heal properly, leading to delayed wound healing or skin necrosis (tissue death). This risk is more common in individuals who smoke, have poor circulation, or have underlying health conditions that affect healing. Proper wound care and following your surgeon's instructions can help minimize this risk.

  7. Visible Scarring: Breast lift surgery involves incisions, resulting in scars. The extent and visibility of scarring will depend on factors such as the surgical technique used, individual healing, and scar management techniques. While efforts are made to minimize scarring, scars are permanent and may be visible, although they typically fade over time.

  8. Unsatisfactory Aesthetic Outcome: Despite the surgeon's best efforts, there is a possibility that the aesthetic outcome may not meet your expectations. Factors such as skin quality, breast shape, and tissue laxity can affect the final result. It is important to have realistic expectations and communicate your goals clearly with your surgeon.

Recovery and Aftercare:

  1. Post-Operative Dressings: Following surgery, dressings and a supportive bandages will be applied to the breasts to minimize swelling and support the healing process.

  2. Pain Management: You may experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising after surgery. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medications to manage any post-operative pain.

  3. A supportive surgical bra will be fitted to the breasts in the first week to minimize swelling and support the healing process. You will need to wear the recovery bra for 6 weeks. 
  4. Restricted Activities: It is important to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and activities that strain the chest muscles for several weeks after surgery. Your surgeon will provide specific guidelines on gradually resuming normal activities.

  5. Follow-Up Appointments: Your surgeon will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress, remove any stitches or drains if necessary, and assess the overall outcome of the surgery.

Remember, discussing these specific risks with your plastic surgeon during the initial consultation is crucial. Your surgeon will evaluate your unique circumstances, provide personalised risk assessments, and address any concerns you may have.


 

Key Questions about Breast Lift

Before Procedure

What Can A Breast Lift Do For Me?

Breast lifts rejuvenate the breasts by trimming excess skin and tightening supporting tissues to achieve an uplifted, youthful contour. After a mastopexy, the breasts are higher on the chest and firmer to the touch. Breast lift surgery can also reposition and reduce the size of the areola-the dark skin surrounding the nipple-which may have stretched or drooped.

Breast size does not change after a breast lift. Women who desire larger, smaller or more rounded breasts may want to consider a breast augmentation or breast reduction together with a breast lift.

Am I A Good Candidate For A Breast Lift?

The best candidates for breast lift are women whose breasts meet some or all of the following conditions:

Breasts sag
Breasts have lost shape or volume
Breasts are flat, elongated, or pendulous (hanging)
Breast skin and/or areola is stretched
Nipples or areolas point downward
Nipples or areolas are located in the breast crease when breasts are unsupported
One breast is lower than the other
It is also very important that breast lift candidates:

Maintain a stable weight
Are generally healthy
Do not smoke
Discuss realistic goals with Dr Cheng

Who Should Not Consider A Breast Lift?

Women planning to have children are advised to postpone surgery, since pregnancy and nursing can counteract a breast lift's effects by stretching the skin.

Mastopexy does not affect breast size. Women who desire larger, smaller or more rounded breasts may want to consider a breast augmentation or breast reduction either together with a breast lift or instead of a breast lift.

Will my private health fund cover Breast Lift Surgery?


Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Breast Lift BrisbaneAt Brisbane Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery Centre, breast lift is performed by Dr Cheng, a qualified plastic surgeon with a special interest in both cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. He performs cosmetic surgery such as breast augmentation, breast reduction and breast lift for patients desiring to enhance their breast appearance. He also provides breast reconstructive surgery for woman undergoing breast cancer treatment.

A woman's breasts may droop as a result of the natural effects of ageing, heredity, gravity, pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss. A breast lift, also called a mastopexy, is performed to return youthful shape and lift to breasts that have sagged or lost volume and firmness.

What Can A Breast Lift Do For Me?
Breast lifts rejuvenate the breasts by trimming excess skin and tightening supporting tissues to achieve an uplifted, youthful contour. After a mastopexy, the breasts are higher on the chest and firmer to the touch. Breast lift surgery can also reposition and reduce the size of the areola-the dark skin surrounding the nipple-which may have stretched or drooped.

Breast size does not change after a breast lift. Women who desire larger, smaller or more rounded breasts may want to consider a breast augmentation or breast reduction together with a breast lift.

Am I A Good Candidate For A Breast Lift?
The best candidates for breast lift are women whose breasts meet some or all of the following conditions:

Breasts sag
Breasts have lost shape or volume
Breasts are flat, elongated, or pendulous (hanging)
Breast skin and/or areola is stretched
Nipples or areolas point downward
Nipples or areolas are located in the breast crease when breasts are unsupported
One breast is lower than the other
It is also very important that breast lift candidates:

Maintain a stable weight
Are generally healthy
Do not smoke
Discuss realistic goals with Dr Cheng
Who Should Not Consider A Breast Lift?
Women planning to have children are advised to postpone surgery, since pregnancy and nursing can counteract a breast lift's effects by stretching the skin.

Mastopexy does not affect breast size. Women who desire larger, smaller or more rounded breasts may want to consider a breast augmentation or breast reduction either together with a breast lift or instead of a breast lift.

Will My Insurance Cover the Breast Lift Surgery?
Breast lift surgery may be partially covered by medical insurance if it is performed within 7 years of childbirth. Many factors determine your eligibility, including the specific terms of your insurance policy and the degree of breast droop. We will provide you with relevant item numbers for the procedure and you may check with your health insurance company. We will also help you with application to Medicare for pre-approval prior to surgery.

How Is A Mastopexy Performed?


Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Breast Lift BrisbaneAt Brisbane Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery Centre, breast lift is performed by Dr Cheng, a qualified plastic surgeon with a special interest in both cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. He performs cosmetic surgery such as breast augmentation, breast reduction and breast lift for patients desiring to enhance their breast appearance. He also provides breast reconstructive surgery for woman undergoing breast cancer treatment.

A woman's breasts may droop as a result of the natural effects of ageing, heredity, gravity, pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss. A breast lift, also called a mastopexy, is performed to return youthful shape and lift to breasts that have sagged or lost volume and firmness.

What Can A Breast Lift Do For Me?
Breast lifts rejuvenate the breasts by trimming excess skin and tightening supporting tissues to achieve an uplifted, youthful contour. After a mastopexy, the breasts are higher on the chest and firmer to the touch. Breast lift surgery can also reposition and reduce the size of the areola-the dark skin surrounding the nipple-which may have stretched or drooped.

Breast size does not change after a breast lift. Women who desire larger, smaller or more rounded breasts may want to consider a breast augmentation or breast reduction together with a breast lift.

Am I A Good Candidate For A Breast Lift?
The best candidates for breast lift are women whose breasts meet some or all of the following conditions:

Breasts sag
Breasts have lost shape or volume
Breasts are flat, elongated, or pendulous (hanging)
Breast skin and/or areola is stretched
Nipples or areolas point downward
Nipples or areolas are located in the breast crease when breasts are unsupported
One breast is lower than the other
It is also very important that breast lift candidates:

Maintain a stable weight
Are generally healthy
Do not smoke
Discuss realistic goals with Dr Cheng
Who Should Not Consider A Breast Lift?
Women planning to have children are advised to postpone surgery, since pregnancy and nursing can counteract a breast lift's effects by stretching the skin.

Mastopexy does not affect breast size. Women who desire larger, smaller or more rounded breasts may want to consider a breast augmentation or breast reduction either together with a breast lift or instead of a breast lift.

Will My Insurance Cover the Breast Lift Surgery?
Breast lift surgery may be partially covered by medical insurance if it is performed within 7 years of childbirth. Many factors determine your eligibility, including the specific terms of your insurance policy and the degree of breast droop. We will provide you with relevant item numbers for the procedure and you may check with your health insurance company. We will also help you with application to Medicare for pre-approval prior to surgery.

How Is A Mastopexy Performed?
Mastopexy may be performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center. It is done under general anesthesia, and lasts from 1 ½ to 2½ hours.

There are several types of incision methods that can be used when performing a breast lift. The technique a surgeon chooses depends on the patient's:

Breast size and shape
Degree of sagging
Size and position of the areolas/nipples
Amount of excess skin
Skin quality
The three most common incision types are two rings around the areola in a doughnut shape (small-incision mastopexy, generally only recommended for patients with small breasts and minimal sagging); around the areola and down to the breast crease in a lollipop shape; and the lollipop with an additional half-moon incision along the breast crease, in an anchor shape.

In all cases, breast lift surgery begins with administration of general anesthesia by a fully qualified anesthetist. Dr. Cheng makes the necessary incisions, and then he lifts and reshapes the breast tissue into its new, rejuvenated contour. He moves the nipple and areola higher on the breast and removes extra skin around the perimeter if the areola is enlarged. Finally, he trims the excess breast skin that resulted from poor elasticity. Stitches layered deep throughout the breast tissue support the lifted breasts.

When the mastopexy is complete, the skin is closed with stitches, tissue adhesive and/or surgical tape. Some of the incisions are hidden in the breast crease. Others will be visible. All scars will mature with time.

What Is The Recovery From A Breast Lift Like?

After surgery, the breasts are wrapped with gauze dressings, and you may need to wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra. After a few days, this is replaced with a soft support bra, which is worn 24 hours a day for about a month.

The breasts will probably be bruised, swollen, and uncomfortable after surgery, but this will pass in a few days. Any numbness in the breasts and nipples should lessen as swelling subsides. All stitches are absorbable so there is no need for suture removal. Many patients return to work after one or two weeks depending on the nature of their work.

During Procedure

After Procedure

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Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

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