|
Breast lift or Mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to lift and reshape sagging, elongated, and/or deflated breasts. Unlike breast reductions, where significant amounts of breast tissue are removed, a mastopexy simply reshapes the existing breast tissue, thereby preserving any existing volume. There are different techniques (and thus, different scar patterns) available, depending on the degree of lifting required.
The benefit from a breast lift is the restoration of a proportionate and youthful breast contour. Many women who have natural C-cup (or larger) sized breasts can suffer from long-term effects of gravity. Those who have undergone large augmentations can also experience the same problems. Heavier breast tissue or larger implants causes increasing stress on the skin envelope of the breasts, potentially leading to stretching of the skin and descent of the breasts. Over time, the gravity of this weight overcomes the ability of the skin to support the breasts' shape. Also many women who experienced breast enlargement during their pregnancies may undergo "deflation" of their breast tissue, leaving behind sagging breasts.
The term "ptosis" applies to the situation when the breasts elongate and the nipples descend. Women who are breast feeding or pregnant can notice some enlargement of their breasts; there can be quite dramatic changes, often leading to increases of 1 to 2 cup sizes or more. When pregnancy and/or breast feeding is completed, breast size will usually decrease; but, there can be some secondary deformity with permanent stretch marks and droopiness (ptosis) of the breast tissue and nipples.
The surgical techniques for a breast lift (mastopexy) or breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) are not very different; the desired goal of surgery usually dictates what procedure is chosen. Breast lifts are designed to re-position the breast tissue and nipples superiorly and restore youthful shape and contour. Breast reductions are performed to eliminate the excessive tissue and to reshape the breast into more normal proportions - this does elevate the breasts and nipples as well. So basically the difference is in the amount of breast tissue that is to be removed.
To achieve these goals, scars are necessary on the breast. In minimal lifts, a scar around the areola can suffice. In intermediate lifts, a vertical scar in the under surface of the breast is often necessary along with the areolar scar. Finally, for large lifts or breast reductions, a horizontal scar in the inferior breast crease/fold (along with the 2 previous scars) are required. These tend to heal very well if properly managed post-operatively. Unfortunately, there is an unavoidable trade-off: the benefit of good shape and lift at the cost of scars.
Most women who undergo breast lifting are able to return to normal activity quickly. Post-operative discomfort can last one to two weeks. The scars respond very favorably to massage and other maneuvers; they will complete their maturation after about a year.
The surgery lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours and is usually performed as an outpatient. Drains may be placed at the time of surgery and are removed the day after- most breast lifts do not require drains. Dressings are performed for the first week after surgery and a bra is encouraged to be worn for 4 weeks post-op. Swelling and bruising may occur and usually subside after a couple of weeks. Temporary alterations in nipple sensation are common - either numbness or hypersensitivity. This is usually temporary and resolves after several weeks to months.
Complications from a breast lift can be excessive or hypertrophic scarring, asymmetry, or permanent loss of nipple sensation. Fortunately, these are relatively rare events. Darker skinned patients have a higher incidence of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Some expected long-term effects are a natural settling of the breasts. In some instances, if a patient's skin quality is poor, there can be excessive descent of the breast tissue, often termed, "bottoming out." This may require a surgical procedure to further lift the breasts.
|
