The different stages in the life of a woman, like pregnancy, breast feeding and aging make the skin to loose elasticity and breasts loose their initial form and start drooping.

It is possible to correct this effects and give new form to your breasts through a surgical procedure named mastopexy or simply breast lift. Mastopexy could also reduce the size of the areola, which is the dark skin that surrounds the nipple. If your breasts are small or they've lost volume, the procedure can be performed with the insertion breast implants, to increase both size and firmness.

About the Procedure

Mastopexy is normally a two to three hours long procedure.

Techniques depend on the degree of lift needed. The most common surgical technique for breast lift involves three incisions that form an anchor shape ("anchor incision"):

• The first incision is around the areola, extending above it and creating a new position for the nipple.
• The second incision runs vertically from the nipple down to the bottom of the breast.
• The third incision runs on the underside of the breast just above the fold under the breast.

These incisions create flaps where excess skin will be removed. Once the the excess of skin is removed, the areola and the nipple are lifted to the new position and the tissue is rearranged. Then suturing is performed around the areola and through the other two incisions.

There are some cases though were only an incision around the areola or with the vertical incisions are needed.

When implants are inserted, they can be placed immediately behind the breast, behind the breast and the major muscle groups in the chest area or behind the breast and Pectoralis Major muscle -this is the most common location for implants.

After breast lift surgery

After surgery you will wear bandages or a surgical bra. Your breasts will be bruised, sore, and swollen. You might experience some pain, but it should not be severe and it can be treated by a prescription from your plastic surgeon.

After a few days, the bandages and surgical bra are removed and you may wear an athletic or support bra until the swelling subsides. Stitches are normally removed in stages within a week or two after plastic surgery.

Sensation in your nipples may be reduced for two to three months, and then returns to normal as your breasts heal. Breast feeding is typically unhindered because the connecting glandular tissue of the nipple and areola are left intact during breast lift surgery.

Healing is a slow process. You can return to work normally within a week or two, and to full activity within a month. You would normally return to sports activities after one month.

Heavy lifting or straining should be avoided after plastic surgery because this can cause the breasts to swell and increase pressure. Avoid lifting objects above your head.

We will do our best so that scars visibiity are kept to minimum. Anyway, some permanent scaring will remain. Normally scars are red and raised for a few weeks, then turn less visible and finally remain as pale lines that are almost invisible.