The term breast ptosis is used to describe breast sagging : glandular tissue and skin envelope. In this case, the breasts often seem empty in the upper pole and sit too low on the chest. Breast ptosis can develop after weight loss, pregnancy and breast feeding. In case of significant breast hypertrophy, breast ptosis is inevitable because the weight of the mammary gland stretches the breast’s skin envelope. Breast sagging can also develop on small sized breasts. Breast lift or mastopexy is a cosmetic procedure designed to address breast sagging and breast shape imperfections, here is how it works.
Breast lift or mastopexy
Breast lift reshapes breast tissue for a long lasting-result
The breast lift procedure is used to reshape the breasts by remodeling glandular tissue and removing skin excess. The mammary gland is compacted whereas redundant skin is removed so that the breasts sit higher on the chest and for breast shape to be satisfactory. The areolas and nipples are repositioned if necessary.
Depending on the severity of the ptosis and the amount of redundant skin that needs to be removed, the scars can be short or longer with three different incision patterns : the peri-areolar incision, the peri-areolar incision combined with the vertical incision and the well known anchor incision, which combines the two previous patterns with a third incision along the infra-mammary fold.
In case of breast hypotrophy (significant lack of breast tissue), breast implants can be placed during the breast lift procedure to increase volume and improve proportions.
Procedure details
- Preoperative mammography
- The procedure, performed under general anesthesia, usually takes one to one hour and a half to be completed.
- Hospitalization : 24 to 48 hours
- Three types of scars depending on the extent of the procedure with very little postoperative pain.
- The dressing stays in place during a week, followed by a compressive bra. No exercise during one to two months.
- Sun protection is mandatory during a year (swimwear or sun screen)
- Time off work : one week
- The new breast shape can be seen immediately after the procedure, but the breasts continue to change during the first three months following the operation. The scars progressively fade over a period of 12 to 18 months.
