Breast Lift (also known as Mastopexy) is a surgical procedure to prevent sagged and nipple pointed downward breasts. Due to aging, weight loss and pregnancy / breast feeding, our breasts loose their youthful shape and firmness. The tissues, connecting the breast to the chest muscle, are streched because breast tissue and skin sagged together. Since we cannot recover the streching by any other method, with breast lift, your breasts look younger and more uplifted.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery
Breast Lift is performed under general anesthesia and takes about 2 to 3 hours. According to degree of sagging, we perform different type of techniques to raise the breasts, by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. The technique we chose, will determine the location of the incisions. Also the size of the areola (the dark or pink around surrounding the nipple) can be reduced during the surgery.
Pain After Surgery
Pain is not different from other surgeries. Pain is relieved on the first day at the hospital by intravenous painkillers, afterwards relieved by the painkiller tablets.
Recovery After Surgery
After surgery we will give you well-fitted surgical bra similar to sports bra to you to wear. If you want extra bra, we will provide for you. After the surgery you will stay one night at the hospital. In this way, your follow-up is done by nurses, and you will have more comfortable first night with pain killers that provided by the hospital. Next morning you will be discharged from the hospital after my checks. In such surgeries, I decide on the use of drainage tubes according to the size and the degree of sagging in the breast. If a drainage tubes are used, I will remove them on the 3rd day. Drainage tubes are used to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect. You will take your prescribed medications exactly as directed. Avoid straining, bending and lifting. Sleep on your back. Your breasts will be swollen for about two weeks and it will decrease day by day. You can return to normal activities in about two weeks.
You will have 3rd and 7th day check-ups after the surgery in doctor’s clinic. On the 3rd day check-up, your dressing will be changed and the drainage tubes will be removed. After 7th day check-up, you are free to fly.
Scar After Surgery
It is common that tere will be scar after incision. The scars will vary according to the technique that was decided for surgery. Scars from a breast lift can usually be hidden by bras and bathing suits. At he beginning, scars will appear red. They’ll soften and become thin and white within one to two years.
Around the areola
Inverted-T incision
Lolipop Incision
Breast Fedding After Surgery
You can breast feed your baby. But some women might have difficulty producing enough milk.
Risks After Surgery
- Bleeding or hematoma formation
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation
- Irregularities or asymmetry in the shape and size of the breasts
- Difficulty breast-feeding
- Potential for breasts to sag again
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is it possible to have breast enlargement and breast lift surgeries at once?
A breast lift can be done in combination with breast augmentation in cases where breast sagging and loss of fullness at breasts. However, it is important to note that the large implants may increase the sagging especially if the breasts are already start to sagging. Large implants should be avoided in such cases.
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Is there anything wrong for people who are pregnant and who are planning to become pregnant to have cosmetic breast surgeries?
Since the breasts will be deformed with breastfeeding, I recommend cosmetic breast surgeries to be done after 6 months when the breastfeeding is finished.
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Is there any loss of sensation on the nipple after breast lift surgeries?
It is possible to feel some numbness, but it is temporary. If there is such a loss it will stop after the 6th month.
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Do you think mammogram is necessary for breast surgeries?
It is not compulsory to have mammogram or usg routinely before Breast Surgery. It is recommended in patients with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors. If there is a suspicious area in the examinations, it is not appropriate to perform a breast surgery without being fully confirmed by a general surgery physician who deals with breast cancer. I generally request usg for all patients under 40 years of age, and mammogram over the age of 40 years.
