Description

Breast Lift

Breast Lift – Mastopexy

Overview

Breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is an operation
to correct the appearance of breast(s) that sag due to loss of elasticity
secondary to many factors, including but not limited to aging, hormonal
factors, pregnancy, breastfeeding, genetics and weight gain and loss.

In order to lift the breast, the excess skin is
removed and the ligaments that suspend the breast are repaired. The breast and
the surrounding supportive tissues are reshaped, volume of the breast is
enhanced and the breast is lifted, resulting in natural conic form.

If you feel that your breast(s) sag or if your nipple
is located below the inframammary fold or points downward, you may consider a
breast lift.

If you consider a breast lift, please consult our
plastic surgeons for techniques of breast lift, expectations, potential risks
and results.

Why is breast lift procedure done?

Childbearing, breastfeeding, genetic features, weight
gain and loss as well as aging causes loss of elasticity and volume in
breast(s). When ligaments that support breast weaken and they are defeated by
the gravity force, sagging of breasts is inevitable.

For some patients, sagging is secondary to the
reduction of breast tissue due to significant weight loss followed by weight
gain.

Breast lift is performed to eliminate these cosmetic
problems.

Therefore, breast lift offers a solution for following
conditions;

• • Sagging breasts accompanied by loss of
    elasticity and volume
  • Nipples located below the inframammary fold or
    pointing downwards secondary changes in breast tissue
  • Asymmetry of breasts

Breast lift is planned according to the degree of
sagging. Therefore, breast lift alone can eliminate mild sagging, but size of
breast may get smaller secondary to breast lift, if sagging is severe and
volume of breast tissue is insufficient. For this reason, it may be necessary
to combine breast lift with breast augmentation. Again, breast life surgery
causes reduction of breast in women with naturally large breasts.

Accordingly, breast lift surgery is an extremely
personalized procedure and you need to consult a plastic surgeon before you
decide and plan a breast lift.

If you clearly express your expectations when you
discuss with your plastic surgeon before the surgery, your satisfaction with
the outcome of the surgery will be maximized.

Risks

Potential complications of breast lift surgery are relatively
rare.

Although all possible measures that modern medicine
allows are taken to prevent occurrence of risks, it is no means possible to
warrant that the risks will be completely eliminated.

Possible risks are listed below:

• Bleeding and blood accumulation beneath the
  incision line (hematoma)
• Infection
• Loss or change of sensation in breast and/or
  nipple
• Abnormal scar tissue formation
• Changes in the shape of the breast
• Fluid accumulation in the incision area (seroma)
• Unsatisfactory result (asymmetry, displacement of
  nipple, failure to obtain the desired shape)

Our expert surgery team will employ all practices to
minimize the risk of complications and our plastic surgeons will preoperatively
inform you about risks listed above and all other potential complications and
will address all your concerns.

Preparation

The first phase of preoperative preparation is same in
all Medicana Hospitals. After you decide to have a breast lift surgery and
discuss with our plastic surgeons, following examinations are performed to
decide whether it is an option for you:

• Review of health history
• A detailed physical examination
• Necessary laboratory tests and radiology studies
• A mammography may be required to facilitate
  postoperative follow-up of your breasts.
• Assessment by anesthesiologist and other
  laboratory tests and radiology studies to minimize anesthesia-related
  complications

After it is verified that the surgery does not pose
risk, you will be asked to quit smoking, if you are a smoker, and to stop
taking certain medications that increase risk of bleeding. All other prescribed
and over-the-counter medications, herbal products and supplements will also be
questioned and you will be informed to continue or stop taking them.

A preoperative discussion with your plastic surgeon
about breast lift is very important. You are asked to think about a series of
issues and you are also informed in detail about the procedure. All details of
the procedure, potential risks and healing period are explained.  

You will also be instructed to stop eating and
drinking at a particular time before the surgery and you should strictly follow
this instruction in order to undergo the surgery at the scheduled date.

Moreover, it is reasonable to plan discharge,
post-discharge accommodation and travel at this phase in order to manage
postoperative period better.

Surgery and early postoperative period

A breast lift or mastopexy is performed by an expert
plastic surgery team under general anesthesia. Therefore, you will be
unconscious during the surgery and you will feel nothing, including pain. The
procedure takes approximately 3 hours.

In the surgery, the excess skin is removed and the
brown area around the nipple (areola) and the nipple are also reduced and
transferred to the original or optimal position. In this surgery, both the
excess skin is removed and the breast tissue is shaped.

For breast lift surgery, a wide variety of incisions
and techniques are used depending on the degree of sagging. Your plastic
surgeon will determine the best method for your condition and you will be
informed about all the details (breast reduction, requirement to breast
implant, definite place of the incision, other relevant details) before the
surgery.

After the breast is reshaped according to the
preoperative plan and the sagging is eliminated, the incision is stitched and
the operation is completed. Incisions are covered by appropriate dressing
materials.

After a breast lift, you usually do not need to stay
at hospital and you are discharged within the same day. However, your plastic
surgeon will inform you whether you need to be observed or you should stay at
the hospital.

After you recover from anesthesia and you are ready to
walk, you will be mobilized by or under supervision of our healthcare
professionals.

You may feel pain and recognize swelling in your
breast(s) after the surgery. Or, you may even notice bruising in skin of the
breast. These are expected symptoms that will spontaneously disappear within
several weeks.

The scar tissue that forms along the incision line
will fade over time, but its color will never be identical to your skin tone.

Your plastic surgeon will want you to visit the
hospital one or two days after the surgery. Bandages placed after the surgery
will be removed at this visit.

In the post-operative period, you will need to wear
sports bra to support the breasts.

Although you will feel minimal pain, your plastic
surgeon will prescribe pain killer pills to manage the pain.

If your plastic surgeon used non-absorbable stitches
and placed a drain to prevent accumulation of excess fluid and/or blood beneath
the incision line, your doctor will instruct you the date they will be removed
(usually the first postoperative follow-up visit).

Size and shape of the breast will gain a natural
appearance over the time. In order to get the best result as soon as possible,
you should strictly follow your doctor’s instructions throughout the healing
period (sports bra, wound care products that accelerate wound healing, sexual
intercourse, sun exposure, avoiding from strenuous physical activity, etc.)
Therefore, please ask all your questions to your plastic surgeon before you
leave the hospital.

You may recognize a very slight asymmetry between two
breasts. A minor retouch may be required to reposition your nipple and areola,
if necessary.

You should visit your plastic surgeon for follow-up
visits that are scheduled before you are discharged.

If you experience warmth and redness in your incision
line or breast, or if you have a fever or any symptoms that you think are due
to surgery after you are discharged, contact your plastic surgeon immediately.

Results

Results of a breast lift will be evident soon after
the surgery. However, it takes some time to achieve final volume and shape of
your breasts.

This surgery does not help skin problems and tissue
quality of breasts. This surgery aims only lifting your breasts to make breasts
appear firm and toned.

If you clearly inform your plastic surgeon about your
expectations before undergoing a breast augmentation, your satisfaction with
outcomes will be maximized and the risk of implant removal or revision surgery
will be minimized.