Cosmetic surgery to lift sagging breasts

Procedure Summary

Traditional techniques for breast lift surgery have been used for many years. The history of the breast lift surgery can be traced back to the seventh century. However, it was the early 1900's that saw major development in breast lift cosmetic surgery. By the 1930s, most of the modern Mastopexy techniques had been developed. Recently, surgeons have developed techniques involving very few incisions, minimising the number and the visibility of the scars caused by the procedure.

What can a breast lift do for you?

Droopy breasts can make a relatively fit and healthy woman look and feel old before her time. It can cause her self-confidence to plunge as she feels anxious about others seeing her naked, in skimpy clothing or in swimwear. A mastopexy can give any woman who, as a result of natural ageing, excessive weight gain and loss, or pregnancy and breastfeeding, has experienced the stretching of their breasts’ supportive tissue a younger, firmer looking bust.

Any size of breast can be lifted with a mastopexy. The surgery is often combined with a breast augmentation procedure to enhance the size of the breasts as well as their position. As one woman commented, “Three pregnancies and breast feeding had left my breasts looking stretched and slack. I had a breast lift operation and implants inserted to regain the firm, full bust that I once had.”

Undergoing a breast lift procedure

Your individual suitability for breast lift cosmetic surgery, and whether it should be carried out along with an implant procedure, will be discussed during your initial consultation with the surgeon. You should also confirm with the surgeon where the nipple and areola will be located after plastic surgery has taken place.

Usually taking place under general anaesthetia, a mastopexy can last between one and three hours, and there are a number of techniques that can be used. The most common method is for the surgeon to make three incisions: one around the nipple, another from the bottom edge of the nipple to the crease under the breast, and a third along the crease under the breast.

The excess breast skin will then be removed and the nipple and areola moved to a higher position. Skin from above the areola is pulled downwards and inwards to produce a rounder shape. As the nipples and areolas remain attached to underlying  tissue, there is no loss of sensation and ability to breastfeed. Other techniques are possible that have been designed to avoid the vertical and horizontal incisions

After a breast lift your breasts, and your nipples, should appear higher. The effect can be permanent, though your breasts could droop again with weight gain, pregnancy or natural ageing. The surgery leaves permanent scars which may be lumpy and red at first. These should fade over the following six months or so. Scars are likely to be more noticeable if you smoke, so giving up beforehand is advisable.

“Before I made the decision to go ahead with my breast lift I made absolutely sure that I was not going to be having any more children in the future,” said one mastopexy patient. “I didn’t want to risk not being able to breastfeed, and I didn’t want to undo the fantastic work of the cosmetic surgeon.”

Your breasts will feel sore for a few days after the procedure and there will be some swelling and bruising, which should soon pass. It will take a few months for the breasts to become settled in their new shape. A small number of procedures have resulted in unequal sized breasts, or differently sized nipples. Repositioning of the nipple can disrupt the nerves in the breast and loss of sensitivity around the nipple is possible, as is an inability to breastfeed. In addition, there are very rare cases of complete nipple loss.

As with all cosmetic surgery, it is essential to follow the advice of your practitioner after the procedure. This will help to ensure that the outcome will be as successful as possible and reduce the risk of complications

Who should carry out your mastopexy?

A mastopexy is a major operation and should, therefore, only be carried out by fully trained and qualified surgeons with relevant expertise gained in an establishment registered with the Healthcare Commission (in the UK).

When choosing a cosmetic surgeon to carry out a breast lift procedure, personal recommendation is helpful. However, you should bear in mind that, as surgeons tend to specialise in one particular area, a recommendation from a friend after a successful nose job doesn’t mean the surgeon will be the right choice to perform a breast lift!

The cost of a mastopexy can range from approximately £4,500 to £5,500. If this is something that you are considering, you can discuss all of the issues mentioned here in greater depth during a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon.

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