Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A breast lift of mastopexy is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia, and it usually takes one to three hours.

One of the following types of incisions is often used, depending on the size and shape of the breasts, the degree of sagging and the amount of excess skin:

• Two rings, one larger than the other, around the areola
• A keyhole shape, around the areola and down to the breast crease
• An anchor shape, beginning in the breast crease and extending up to and around the areola

The ring incision is used for small breasts and leaves the least amount of scarring. The anchor incision is used for breasts with significant sagging.

After the incisions are made, breast tissue is removed and reshaped to achieve the desired breast contour. The nipple and areola are usually moved higher on the breast or resized. Excess skin is trimmed to create a tighter, more defined appearance. Incisions are closed with stitches.

A good candidate for mastopexy or breast lift is a woman in good overall health who maintains a stable weight and has realistic expectations about what mastopexy can do.

Women who choose this procedure typically have one or more of the following issues:

• Sagging breasts
• Breasts that have lost shape or volume
• Breasts that are flat or elongated
• Nipples or areolas that point downward
• One breast lower than the other

However, a woman planning to have children is not a good candidate for a breast lift because pregnancy and nursing can counteract the benefits of the procedure.

In addition to the usual risks associated with surgery and anesthesia, risks specific to a breast lift include:

• Temporary or permanent change in nipple/breast sensation
• Irregularities in breast contour/shape
• Asymmetry
• Partial or total loss of nipple/areola

Depending on the incision type used, a breast lift can produce visible scars. Although some incisions can be concealed in the natural breast contours, others cannot. In most cases, however, scars fade over time, becoming much less apparent.