Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
It is important that before considering plastic or cosmetic surgery that you are in good general health and within seven pounds of what you see as your ideal weight. You will also need to share with us any problems in your past history and of any medication you may be taking. Smoking is contraindicated during the operative period with many aesthetic procedures.
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A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. With ageing, skin loses some elasticity, which, under the influence of gravity, can cause the breasts to droop and lose their natural shape and firmness.
This process is exacerbated by pregnancy and breast feeding. Weight loss can cause the breasts to droop.
Surgery is designed to elevate the breasts and give them a more youthful appearance. A breast lift may also be carried out in conjunction with breast enlargement surgery (augmentation), when more fullness is required.
Breast lift surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic. It involves reducing the skin envelope and reshaping the breast tissue. This does leave scars on the breasts.
Techniques vary, but all will leave a scar around the nipple, usually with a scar from the nipple to the bottom of the breast and, in some, a scar in the fold underneath the breast. The choice of technique will be determined by the extent of sagging and the size of the breasts.
If breast augmentation is carried out along with the breast lift, an implant will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue or under the muscle of the chest wall. Whenever possible, this will be carried out at the same time as the uplift. Some surgeons do this as a 2 stage operation.
After a breast lift, most patients will stay in hospital overnight. It is not usually a painful procedure and only simple analgesia is required.
Tapes are applied to help support the breasts and sports bra should be worn night and day for the first 2-3 weeks.
The tapes are removed 10-12 days later and patients can return to normal day to day activities within 2-3 weeks. Impact exercises are best left for 4-5 weeks.
Complications following breast uplift are unusual. Infection and bleeding are uncommon and, whilst alteration in nipple sensation can occur, this will usually settle. Rarely, the blood supply of the nipple can be damaged.
Scars will be left. They can stretch and become thickened, but, whilst dependent on how individuals heal, these usually settle well and are placed within the bra area. Using Solution for Scars can help improve the outcome. Because the skin is pulled tight, wound healing problems can occur. Secondary adjustments are sometimes required to optimise scars, particularly as the scar in the fold is kept as short as possible.
Mastopexy may affect breast feeding but, as this can create droop, surgery is best left until after completing a family. Most women have some degree of asymmetry and this may not be corrected.
Below are the full range of breast procedures that we offer
