Breast Lift ( Mastopexy )

You may be a good candidate for breast lift surgery if:
Your breasts are sagging but of adequate size.
Your breasts lack firmness.
Nipples and areolas that point downward, especially if they are positioned below the breast crease.

The Procedure:
Anaesthesia: General / Local
Duration of Surgery: 2-3 hours
Hospital Stay: Daycare surgery
Stitches: Self-absorbable
Recovery: Walking and dinner same day

Self Care:
Getting dressed, combing hair, eating: Day of surgery
Preparing tea, heating food: Next day

Work:
Cooking, dusting, light household work: 1 week
Driving, desk job: 1 week

Activities:
Morning walk: 1 week
Driving, desk job: 1 week
Treadmill/Yoga/Swimming: 1 month
Upper body weightlifting: 6 weeks
Handling the breasts: 6 weeks or more

STEP ONE: CONSULTATION
During your consultation, you can talk to Dr Priti about your desired breast shape as well as anything else about your breasts that you would like to see improved.You can see the typical clinical pictures of patients to satisfy yourself about the procedure and ask any questions regarding the results, and possible risks of the surgery.

You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries including breast biopsies, and medications. It is important for you to provide complete information. You should tell if you plan to lose a significant amount of weight, particularly if you have noticed that your breasts become smaller with weight loss. It is recommended that you stabilize your weight before having surgery.Routine diagnostic tests to assess your fitness for surgery and Anaesthesia will be ordered.

STEP TWO: PREOPERATIVE EVALUATION
Once you have decided to undergo surgery, you will be evaluated for your fitness for anaesthesia and surgery by Dr Priti or if necessary by the anesthesiologist. Your diagnostic test reports will be studied. Dr Priti will examine your breasts, taking measurements and clinical photographs for your medical record. The size and shape of your breasts, the quality of your skin, and the placement of the nipples and areolas will be carefully evaluated.

You will sign the consent forms and will be given detailed preoperative instructions in writing.

STEP THREE: SURGERY
You report at the hospital on the morning of surgery. Before taking you inside operation room, your breasts will be marked with you standing to shape them to the desired size. The operation is under general or local anaesthesia and is pain-free.

STEP FOUR: AFTER SURGERY
After surgery, there will be bandage and bra on your chest. You can drink water after 4 hours and have some snacks afterwards if you had general anaesthesia and sooner in the case of local anaesthesia. You walk and have simple dinner on the same evening.

STEP FIVE: RECOVERY
You will need some assistance initially. Many women start light work in a week’s time. By the end of one month usually, you are feeling quite normal and ready to resume all normal activities. Breasts look swollen initially but usually settle down in less than a month.

How is Breast Lift Surgery done?

In sagging breasts, there is excess stretched skin about breast tissue. The nipple is low and pointing down. Breast Lift Surgery removes the excess skin without disturbing the breast gland. Nipple areola is shifted upwards to an ideal position without detaching it from the breast. It is similar to wearing a well fitting bra. Breast tissue is also tightened with internal stitches and gland rearrangement.

At what age can I go for breast lift surgery?

A breast lift can be performed at any age, but waiting until breast development has completed (usually 18 years) is recommended. Some women have droopy breasts even in teenage years. That is a called Snoopy Breast Deformity. Therefore even younger women above 18 years of age undergo breast lift surgery. If you think it’s important to have it done earlier, you should be aware that further growth of breast may change the breast size and shape after the surgery and you may need to have a repeat breast lift surgery in future.

Are there going to be scars on my breast?

There is usually a scar around the nipple areola and another one going vertically down from nipple till the breast crease. Scars on Indian skin tend to look like dark lines for the first six months and then gradually become lighter over next few years. It is rare for scars to become invisible.

I understand that every surgical procedure has risks. What are the possible risks of breast lift surgery?

Breast is a superficial organ with no critical nerve vessels or organs near the surgical field, so breast surgery is relatively safe. Bleeding, infection and reactions to anaesthesia are some risks common to all surgeries. Following surgery sometimes the breasts may not be perfectly symmetrical, or the nipple height may vary slightly. Minor adjustments often can be made later. Permanent loss of sensation in the nipples or areas of breast skin may occur rarely. Rarely hypertrophic scarring can occur and may need treatment.

How will I look and feel after surgery?

You are up and about the same day of surgery. After a week usually, you will be able to move about more comfortably. Straining, bending and lifting must be avoided, however, since these activities might cause increased swelling or even bleed. You may be instructed to sleep on your back to avoid pressure on your breasts.

Your dressings will be changed after two days in the doctor’s clinic. You can have a shower from the 4th day after surgery and can remove your dressings and wash your breasts as well. You will be given instructions about self-dressing at home after bathing every day. Initially, you will notice your breasts to be swollen and sometimes with black and blue patches. Breasts also feel numb and tender. The shape may look a little odd initially. You will wear a support bra for a few weeks until the swelling and discoloration of your breasts diminish. Stitches are self-absorbable.

Regular Food: Same day
Dressing Change: After 48 hours
Bath: 4th day
Pain: 1 week (Relieved with painkiller medications)
Self Dressing: For ten days
Skin Discoloration: 2-3 weeks
Swelling: 1 month
Tenderness: Mild for 1-2 months
Support Bra: 6 weeks or more
Numbness: Weeks or months

When is the healing complete?

Internal healing after any surgery goes on for months, during which time you may feel occasional discomfort and pain, especially after exertion. You can take care of that by a painkiller pill and rest. Breasts gradually settle down to a rounded shape. Scars which are darker fade gradually in few years.

How long do I need to see the doctor after surgery?

You will return to the clinic for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, usually two days, two weeks one month and three months later. At these visits, your progress will be evaluated, and minor problems are taken care of. Once the immediate postoperative follow-up is complete, you come back for periodic checkups to observe and discuss the long-term results of surgery. You will not be charged for follow-up visits after Breast Lift surgery till one year.

When do I see the final shape and what can I expect?

You will see the improvement immediately, but final results come after 3 to 6 months after swelling goes down and tissues relax. The scars from the surgery will heal and fade over time. It is important to realise, however, that the incision lines will be permanently visible, more so in some individuals than others. Fortunately, the scars are in locations easily concealed by clothing, even low-cut necklines.

Are there methods available to reduce the scarring?

Creams, gels can improve scars and tape for 3 to 6 months. Excessively prominent scars can be revised surgically after six months.

How long will the results last?

Unless you gain or lose a significant amount of weight or become pregnant, your breast shape should stay stable for years. However, gravity and the effects of ageing will eventually alter the size and shape of virtually every woman’s breasts. Results last longer in smaller breasts than the larger ones. If, after a period of years, you become dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts, you may choose to undergo another breast “lifting” procedure to restore their more youthful contour.

Will I be able to breastfeed after Breast Lift Surgery?

Usually yes.

Do I need to inform my future husband about breast reduction surgery?

That is entire up to you. Scars of the surgery tend to fade out but usually are visible on close examination permanently.

Is there a way to do breast lift surgery without scars?

No.

I am not interested in surgery. I have heard about creams/ massages/ machines/ exercises that can lift the breasts. Do they work?

No, they do not work.

I have had Bariatric surgery done for morbid obesity and have lost 50 kgs. My breasts are sagging. Can I have breast lift surgery?

Breast reduction or lift is commonly required after massive weight Loss. In your case, the skin folds going to sides, and arm folds also can be addressed.

Have my breasts sagged because I was not wearing the bra?

Breasts can sag irrespective of the bra.

I am young and single but my breasts are sagging, and I look like I have been married and had children. I am worried about what my future husband will think?

Breast size and shape is not always related to sexual activity or childbirth. It is a misconception in the mind of some people. Breasts can sag due to weak tissues or due to weight.

My breasts are sagging but look perfect in underwire support bra. Will a breast lift surgery work for me?

Yes, it will work for you.

My breasts have sagged after stopping breastfeeding and losing weight. In fact, they are smaller than before. What do I need breast enlargement or breast lift?

If you want bigger breasts, enlargement with an implant will be needed. At times that alone may give some lift, and you may be satisfied. When sagging is severe, and you also want bigger breasts both the surgeries- implant and lift will give best results. A breast lift alone may not be suitable for you because you wish for bigger breasts.

Can Implant and Breast lift surgery be done in a single stage or 2 steps are needed?

Both single and 2 stage options are available. Either implant or lift can be done in the first stage depending on your priorities and surgeon’s assessment. You can discuss that with the doctor.

I had Breast Implants done ten years back. After childbirth, my breasts are sagging. What can I do?

If you are satisfied with your breast size in the bra, you can have breast lift surgery without disturbing the implant. If you want to change the size to bigger or smaller, you can exchange the implant as well.

I had breast reduction surgery done eight years back. I am satisfied with the size, but now my breasts are sagging. What can I do?

You can have Breast Lift Surgery.

Only one of my breasts is sagging. Why is it so? What can I do?

The difference in breast shape can happen and cause is not known. A Breast Lift Surgery on one side alone can be done.

My chest is flat on one side, and the other breast is normal in size. I have been advised to have surgery on both breasts, why is that?

The flat side of the chest will need Breast Enlargement Surgery with an implant. If your standard size breast is slightly sagging, it will look very different from the breast which is implanted. To get good matching simultaneously or at a later date, you may need Breast Lift Surgery of the normal sized breast.

Is there an increased risk of breast cancer in future after a breast lift?

No.