Breast Lift

As women age, their breasts lose shape and firmness. The skin gradually loses its elasticity and no longer holds the breasts in a youthful, upright position. Pregnancy, breast feeding, weight gain and loss also add to the tissue burden of loss of skin elasticity. Women who have sagging breasts (ptosis) my benefit from breast lift (mastopexy). If there are also problems of excess volume or size of the breasts, a reduction may also be done at the same time. Volume loss may be corrected by breast augmentation at the same time. Asymmetries may also be improved.

During the Breast Lift procedure, excess skin is removed, the nipple areolar (dark skin around the nipple) complex is lifted and the breasts are recontoured to create a more youthful appearance with firmer breasts. Depending on preoperative size, appearance and assymetries, the nipple areolar complexmay also be reduced. There are incisions made directly on the breasts which may extend around the nipple areolar complex, into the front of the breast under the nipple, and into the breast fold, depending on the degree of droop, asymmetry and volume considerations.

Who is a Candidate?

• Women who have sagging breasts.
• Women who want to improve their breast shape.
• Healthy women without underlying breast disease.
• Women who will tolerate breast scars.

Intended Results

• Higher breasts (lifted).
• Tighter breast skin envelope (increased skin tightness).
• Improved breast symmetry.
• More pleasing breast shape.
• More youthful appearance.

Procedure Description

• Mastopexy operations are performed in an accredited outpatient surgical facility under general anesthesia or conscious sedation with local anesthesia.
• There are several types of mastopexy procedures depending on the severity of ptosis (breast droop). In most cases incisions are made around the nipple areolar complex and in front of the breasts under the nipple. Sometimes incisions may extend into the breast fold.
• The nipple areolar complex is lifted to a more youthful position.

Recuperation and Healing

• Discomfort is controlled with oral medications and long-acting local anesthesia.
• A soft bra or compression garment is usually worn for two weeks postoperatively.
• Patients are usually discharged the same day to the care of a responsible adult and recover at home.
• There are no stiches to remove as all sutures dissolve spontaneously under the skin.
• Light activity may be resumed in 3 days. Sports activities may be resumed in 3 weeks.

Note

• The specific risks and suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation with Dr. Moreano. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the overall outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual, but they will be discussed during your pre-operative visits with Dr. Moreano.