Suitable Candidates for Breast Lift Surgery?
Suitable candidates for breast lift surgery should meet the following criteria:
- Physical Health: Be in good overall health with no underlying medical conditions that could interfere with the wound healing process.
- Emotional Well-being: Have realistic expectations and a positive mindset regarding the outcomes of mastopexy surgery. As of 1st of July 2023, patients are required to have a psychological evaluation to ensure they are suitable to proceed with surgery.
- Stable Weight: It is recommended to be near your target weight before undergoing the procedure, as weight fluctuations can affect the cosmetic results.
- Non-smoker: Smoking or vaping dramatically interferes with the healing process and increases the risk of complications. Therefore, candidates are required to cease smoking for a minimum 6 weeks before and after the surgery.
Breast lift surgery can help address these concerns.
- Improve Symmetry: Breast lift can be correct breast asymmetry, where one breast is smaller or different shape to the other.
- Improve Firmness: Breast lift, especially when combined with a breast implant can reshape and lift the breast improving firmness in the upper of the breast and cleavage area.
- Improve Shape: Breast lift combined with fat transfer or breast implants can correct shape and volume concerns related to ageing, breastfeeding and weight loss.
Before deciding on undergoing a breast lift or any cosmetic procedure, it is crucial to educate yourself and carefully consider all available options. One important aspect to contemplate is whether you plan on having more children. If you do or anticipate the possibility in the future, it is generally advisable to delay any cosmetic procedures.
How is Breast Lift Surgery Performed?
Breast lift or mastopexy surgery is always performed under general anaesthesia in a fully accredited hospital with the assistance of a qualified anaesthetist. Depending on the complexity of the procedure it may take 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and generally you are discharged the same day.
There are several important considerations to be made during the planning of your breast lift surgery with Dr Scott J Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon.
What about the breast lift incision?
To perform a breast lift or mastopexy, incisions on the breast are required to remove excess skin, reshape the glandular tissue and reposition the nipple areolar complex. Dr Turner will recommend the most appropriate incision pattern for you to achieve your goals.
The three commonly performed incision patters for breast lift surgery are:
01.
Circumareolar (Areolar)
The incision is placed only around the areolar edge, with no scar on the lower aspect of the breast or breast crease. While this type of incision is appealing, it has limited success in adequate lifting the areolar or reshaping the breast, with a high risk of poor scarring and areolar widening. It is generally limited to reshaping the areolar complex (areolar reconstruction) in breast asymmetry patients undergoing tuberous breast correction.
02.
Circumvertical (Lollipop)
The incision is placed around the areolar edge and vertically down to the breast crease. This is recommended in patients with firm breast tissue and good skin elasticity who only require a small breast lift. Also, in patients who seek extra volume as part of the breast lift by adding a breast implant this is Dr Turner’s recommend incision type.
03.
Inverted T (Anchor)
The incision is placed around the areola edge, vertically down to the breast crease and horizontally along the inframammary fold. This incision type is required in those patients with significant breast ptosis that require more significant lifting and reshaping as it allows more skin removal and control over breast shape.
While all surgical incision lines are permanent, they are concealed within the bra and will continue to fade over time.
What about Breast Implants and Fat Grafting?
Breast lift surgery is aimed at lifting and reshaping the breasts. However, it’s important to understand that during the procedure excess skin and some of the breast tissue is removed, which can result in a smaller bra cup size. To address this volume loss, particularly in the upper aspect of the breast and cleavage area, additional volume may need to be added to achieve the desired result.
The two options that Dr Turner recommends is the addition of a breast implants or fat grafting:
01.
Breast Lift with Implants
Breast lift with implants or augmentation mastopexy is one of the most challenging areas of aesthetic breast surgery and requires an experienced surgeon. There are numerous options available each with their own benefits and risks, from breast augmentation only (high dual plane with teardrop implants), breast lift with implants as a single procedure to a staged procedure where Dr Turner will perform a breast lift or reduction first and then 6 to 12 months later perform a breast augmentation procedure.
Visit our breast augmentation and breast implant options page to learn more.
02.
Breast Lift with Fat Grafting
Breast lift with the addition of fat grafting is ideal for women who prefer a subtle increase in their cleavage and overall breast size. It is an excellent option for women who are having a breast lift with an abdominoplasty or liposuction procedure where the fat harvested can be collected, purified and reinjected into the breast to add a small increase in breast by one cup size.
Recovery after Breast Lift Surgery
Recovering from a breast lift with or without a breast implant involves several stages and requires careful attention to the post-operative instructions provided by Dr Turner to ensure the best results.
- Rest & Elevation: Rest is crucial. It is important for the first 2 weeks after your procedure to keeping your head and back elevated on a few pillows while sleeping. Most patients can sleep on their sides after 3 weeks comfortably.
- Post-Operative Dressings: The sutures for all breast incisions are self-dissolving, eliminating the need for suture removal. Specialised dressings will be applied to support the wound during the first week, this will be changed by Dr Turner at your follow up appointment.
- Cold Compresses: Bruising, swelling and discomfort in your breast region is expected, especially with breast lift with implants. The use of cold compress to your cleavage area in the first few days is a simple and effective measure to assist your healing.
- Compression Garments: You will be provided a surgical compression bra to wear full time for the first month post-surgery. This assists with settling of the breast shape and assists with postoperative breast discomfort. After this time, Dr Turner recommends sleeping in the surgical garment at night for 6 months and wearing a supportive sports bra during the day.
- Incision Care: Scar management is an important part of any plastic surgery procedure. Scars on breast naturally will mature over 3 years before they look their best. During this time, we recommend a protocol of scar management, which includes silicone scar therapy and laser treatments.
- Medications: The anaesthetist will provide you with antibiotics and prescription pain medication that you can take at home over the first week.
- Normal Activities & Exercise: Most women can gradually return to normal activities over the first 2 weeks. However, more high intensity exercise needs to be avoided in the first 6 weeks, with strong upper body / chest exercise should be avoided for 3 months.
- Follow Up Appointments: Dr Turner recommends frequent follow up during the first 1 year after breast lift surgery. It is highly advisable that these reviews are in person at our Sydney clinic at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year.
Risks and Complications of Breast Lift Surgery
As with any surgery, it is important that you are fully informed of the potential risks associated with breast lift surgery. While all care is taken to minimize these complications, they may and do occur despite the best medical care.
It is important that you carefully read and understand the potential risks and they will be discussed in further detail when you have your consultation with Dr Turner.
- Scarring: Visible scarring is common, though it typically fades over time. In some cases, scars may remain more prominent or raised (hypertrophic scars or keloids).
- Infection: Infections can occur at the incision sites or around a breast implant, which may require antibiotic treatment or, in rare cases, additional surgery.
- Sensation: Some patients may experience a loss of sensation in the nipples or breasts. This may be temporary or permanent.
- Asymmetry: Breast size, shape, or nipple position may differ slightly after surgery. Revision surgery may be required to correct significant asymmetry.
- Delayed Wound Healing: Delayed wound healing can happen, especially along incision lines. This is more likely in smokers (vaping) or individuals with certain health conditions (e.g., diabetes).
- Breastfeeding Issues: In some cases, the ability to breastfeed may be affected, especially if significant tissue is removed. Some people can breastfeed after the surgery, but it’s not guaranteed.
- Nipple Necrosis: Rarely, the blood supply to the nipple can be affected, leading to necrosis (tissue death).
- Blood Clots: There is a risk of blood clots, particularly in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism), after surgery.
- Bleeding or Hematoma: Some patients may experience excessive bleeding during or after surgery, leading to the formation of a hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin). In rare cases, this may require additional surgery.
- Fat Necrosis: In rare instances, fat tissue in the breast may die and form firm lumps.
- Capsular Contracture: This occurs when scar tissue forms around the implant, distorting the breast shape. Additional surgery may be required to address this complication.
- Implant Rupture or Leakage: Implants can rupture or leak over time, which may necessitate removal or replacement of the implant.
- Seroma: Seroma is a collection of fluid that forms around the implant, causing swelling, pain, and discomfort.
- Anaesthesia Risks: General anaesthesia carries its own set of potential risks, such as adverse reactions or complications.
- Unsatisfactory Results: Despite the best efforts of the surgeon, breast reduction surgery may not result in the patient’s desired outcome.
