This procedure is indicated if the breasts are sagging or drooping and have lost their shape, particularly fullness of the upper poles. You may have noticed this drooping or "ptosis" with time or following breast feeding, loss of weight or with ageing. Mastopexy lifts and resuspends the breasts and helps improve your overall appearance and self-esteem. Breast lifting or mastopexy will result in a small decrease in breast size. When the desired outcome is to preserve existing breast size or indeed increase breast size, the addition of breast implants will also be required.
It is not uncommon to seek a breast enlargement and be advised at the time of consultation that a skin tightening or lifting as well as an implant will be needed to achieve the desirable result.
A consultation is the first step in considering breast enlargement or lifting. You should frankly discuss your goals and expectations. A thorough assessment and examination will be undertaken where suitability for surgery and the particular surgery indicated will be determined..
How important are psychological factors in relation to this procedure?
Emotional stability is important before any aesthetic surgery is performed. You should always keep in mind that the desired result is improvement, not perfection. A "new body" does not guarantee a new life or an end to all personal problems. Mastopexy can improve your appearance and renew your self-confidence. This surgery has an extremely high satisfaction level.
How is mastopexy with implants performed?
There are currently several techniques for mastopexy. They all aim to lift, reshape and recontour the breasts, and reposition the nipples. At consultation your physical condition and requirements will be considered, and the technique that would be best for you will be determined.
During mastopexy the nipple and areola are repositioned to a higher position and excess skin is removed from beneath the breast. Closing the remaining skin lifts the breast mound to a higher position and recontours the breast to give it a more projected and youthful appearance. During the lifting procedure, round, cohesive gel implants are placed sibpectorally (under the muscle).
The commonest way Dr Drielsma offers breast mastopexy is using the Lejour vertical mammaplasty technique. This method reduces scarring associated with mastopexy by eliminating the scar under the breast. The resulting scar pattern runs around the nipple and vertically down the middle of the lower breast (lollypop pattern). In some cases, the periareolar technique can be used resulting in a scar only around the nipple. The suitability for these techniques will be clarified at the time of consultation. Scars fade and soften to be almost unnoticeable over a year to 18 months.
An overnight stay is usually necessary and you may need around 1 to 2 weeks off work, back to normal excercise etc in about 6 weeks. Pain with this type of surgery is surprisingly little and can usually be controlled with oral pain medication. Stitches around the nipple are removed 1-2 weeks after surgery.
Are there any side effects of this procedure?
The scars are situated around the areola of the nipple and under the breasts and usually fade over 12-18 months. Thus, although scars will be present, most patients believe they are worth it. Bleeding and infection are uncommon complications. There may be an alteration in sensation of the nipple, but this often improves with time. Current techniques of breast mastopexy may preserve the ability to breast feed but you should discuss this with Dr Drielsma. There is normally a slight difference in size between the breasts and this may persist following your procedure.
General Information
Should there be any questions regarding mastopexy, be sure they are answered in advance by Dr Drielsma. Well meaning friends are not a good source of information. Find out everything before proceeding with the operation — a well informed patient is a happy one.
Finally, there can be no absolute guarantee with any surgery. Remember the realistic aim of this operation is improvement, not perfection.
Please note: The above information mentions only some of the benefits and complications of mastopexy. This information should not be regarded as a substitute for information and advice provided by Dr Drielsma during consultation.
Dr Robert Drielsma is a fully qualified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon specialising in Cosmetic Surgery and Reconstructive plastic surgery with over 20 years experience.
