Breast Uplift (Mastopexy)

The approach to surgery will vary depending on the concerns, level of ptosis (sagging) and your breast size and shape. For a grade 1 ptosis (minimal drooping of the areola and breast complex which is usually up to 2cm), then it can usually be treated with a donut incision, otherwise known as a periareolar which encircles the areola.

If breast sagging is more extensive, we can perform the incision with a lollipop technique which involves a periareolar incision and a vertical incision that extends from the edge of the areola down to the inframammary fold.

For the most significant ptosis, we use an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the breast.

Your breast lift will require general anaesthesia, but you will not usually have to stay overnight.

During the operation, one of our highly-experienced and board-certified cosmetic surgeons will elevate your breasts to a higher position.

If you have an additional breast implant procedure, we will insert the implants through the same incision location. The incision will then be closed with sutures.

You may consider a breast uplift after pregnancy. A combination of weight gain and an increase in breast tissue and ligaments can cause the skin to stretch and shrink in a relatively rapid amount of time, contributing to sagging. Breastfeeding also causes the skin to stretch and shrink daily. Although the skin has elasticity and collagen to support this process, these supportive proteins are often broken down with ageing, drinking, smoking, environmental influences, and other external factors, making the skin less able to bounce back as freely.

This procedure can also be suitable for anyone who has any varying degree of breast ptosis or asymmetry.

The results of a breast uplift will be visible immediately after surgery, but it may take from 6-12 months for breasts to settle.

Recovery rates vary from patient to patient, but generally, the recovery process for a breast uplift takes around six weeks.

We advise patients to take a week off from work and avoid lifting for three to four weeks.

The sutures may be removed around two weeks after the procedure.
You should avoid strenuous physical activity for around one month.

We may recommend wearing a supportive garment for a few weeks following your surgery.

A breast uplift can take between 1-3.5 hours.

Possible risks of a breast uplift might include (but are not limited to):

• Anaesthesia complications
• Hematoma 
• Necrosis or wound dehiscence 
• Bruising 
• Infection 
• Changes of sensation in the breast or nipple
• Asymmetry or undesirable results
• Seroma
• Loss of nipple
• DVT, or other pulmonary complications

A breast reconstruction surgery, whether that be a breast uplift, breast augmentation, areola reduction or nipple reconstruction, is often unique to each patient. We often combine a breast lift with other procedures such as a tummy tuck as part of a makeover or with breast implants. Your surgeon will alter the approach depending on your goals and limitations.

If you’re concerned about your ability to breastfeed after this operation, you should discuss this with your surgeon so that they can preserve the lactation capabilities as much as possible.

Usually, the lactation system remains intact, even though we may need to reposition the nipple. If this is the case, we don’t often separate it from the glandular tissue.

Before having your surgery, the technique and the type of incision will be discussed with your surgeon. Any procedure that involves an incision will leave residual scarring. The scars usually fade over one to two years.

There are three conventional approaches to a breast lift:

• Vertical Scar (Vertical line down from the bottom of the nipple)
• Inverted T (One vertical line pointing down from the nipple and a horizontal line)
• Benelli Scar (Around the areola)

The inverted T requires removing the most amount of skin with the most visible scar, whereas the Benelli scar (around the areola) will be the least noticeable. Due to the contrast in colour between the breast flesh and the areola, scarring will fade into the nipple line and be virtually undetectable.