Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Women of all ages undergo breast lift surgery, though waiting until breast development has stopped is recommended by most cosmetic surgeons. Many women also postpone surgery until they are finished having children since pregnancy and breast-feeding can affect the results. Still, many women elect to go forward with the surgery before having children, knowing that they can address any pregnancy-related changes later. Breast lift surgery will usually not affect your ability to breast-feed since the nipples and milk ducts are generally left intact.

​Good candidates for a breast lift include healthy women bothered by any of the following issues:

– Pendulous breasts with satisfactory volume
– Breasts lack firmness
– Breast ptosis with nipples and areolas pointing downward
– Nipples hanging below the breast crease

Breast lift surgery can also correct issues of breast asymmetry. It is fairly common for one breast to be firmer and better-positioned than the other.

Though breast lift results tend to be longer lasting in women with smaller breasts, the procedure can offer benefits to women with any breast size.

There are many variations to a mastopexy procedure. The technique Dr McHugh uses with you depends upon your individual features and aesthetic goals. The most common method, which offers the most significant lift, involves three incisions: One around the circumference of the areola, another running vertically from the areola to the breast crease and a third incision following the natural curve of the crease beneath the breast.

Through these incisions, Dr. McHugh removes the excess breast skin and shapes the remaining breast tissue. The nipple and areola, which remain attached to the underlying tissue, are then shifted to a higher position. The areola can also be reduced in size for better proportion.

Because the nipples and areolas are left intact, nipple sensation and breast-feeding should not be affected.

Though thousands of women undergo mastopexy each year and experience no major complications, the procedure does carry some degree of risk.

It is important you be well informed of these risks when considering mastopexy.

​The discussion of potential risks and complications is one of the most important aspects of patient consultation. During your consultation, Dr McHugh will discuss these potential complications with you, listen to your safety questions, and offer recommendations on how to minimise your risk.

Directly after surgery, you’ll be taken to a recovery area. You will have a dressing over your breasts covered by a supportive bra.

On the day of surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed for short periods of time. The post-operative discomfort you feel during the first few days will be controlled with pain medication.

Though everyone heals at a different pace, the following is typical of recovery from mastopexy:

​Within the first week

– You will begin to move about more comfortably
– You may feel up to resuming some non-strenuous work
– Your dressings will be removed

​After several weeks

– Swelling and bruising will diminish
– All stitches will have been removed
– Nipple sensation will gradually improve
– You may resume to most normal activities, including light exercise

​After a few months

– Your breasts will start settling into a more natural shape
– Incision lines will begin to fade

The firmer, more youthful-looking breasts you sought will start to emerge within a few months, after they have had ample time to heal. You should see improvement in their level of lift, and the nipple position will offer a perkier look. Adjustments to the areola size may also offer a more pleasing proportion.

Though surgery entails permanent scarring, the scars are easily concealed beneath clothing, swimsuits and tank tops and will fade significantly over time.

In most cases, your new breast shape should remain for several years to come. Factors such as weight fluctuation or subsequent pregnancies, however, can affect the longevity of the results. Over time, the effects of gravity may change the shape or your breasts once again. If this happens, you may choose to undergo a second breast lift procedure to help restore a more youthful contour.

Follow-up visits are important to answer any questions you may have and monitor your healing process. Your first post-operative visit will be scheduled after the initial healing period, during the first few days after surgery.

​In the following months, Dr McHugh may ask you to return for periodic checkups. Keeping these appointments is important to assess your long-term results and address any questions or concerns you may have.