Over time, factors such as pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman’s breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag.
Breastlift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts–at least, for a time. (No surgery can permanently delay the effects of gravity.) Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume — for example, after pregnancy — breast implants inserted in conjunction with mastopexy can increase both their firmness and their size.
If you’re considering a breast lift, Dr. Bato will give you a basic understanding of the procedure — when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. He will try to answer all of your questions. Always ask your doctor if there is anything about any procedure you don’t understand.
Frequently Asked Questions about Breast lifts or Mastopexy
Am I a candidate for Mastopexy?
If you have no serious health conditions, are not prone to keloid scarring and have noticed that your breasts have started to sag and the effects of gravity are wreaking havoc — you may be a candidate for Mastopexy. An ideal Mastopexy candidate should be mentally and emotionally stable and have realistic expectations as well. When a woman ages, the breast skin loses elasticity and firmness and the breasts may tend to droop as the years creep up. Mastopexy can reduce the extra skin and give the breasts their former, firmer shape and feel.
How is Mastopexy performed?
Many Mastopexy procedures are performed using Light Sleep or General anesthesia.
The crescent Mastopexy calls for the removing of a crescent of skin above the areola moving the nipple upward and suturing the nipple into the new location. The full Mastopexy requires incisions fashioned in such a way as to actually create a new breast envelope. This allows for the repositioning of the nipple and the reshaping of the breast. Either of these operations can be performed in conjunction with a breast augmentation.
What should I expect post-operatively?
Sutures will have been placed underneath the skin. These will dissolve over several months. Sutures will have been placed onto the skin and these are most frequently the type that will dissolve in one week. A bra will be worn continuously for 21 days, 24 hours per day. Instructions on bra removal for washing will be given after the surgery. There is generally very little pain after this operation and only a moderate amount of swelling. The patient may return to work in 3 to 4 days unless the work involves bending or lifting. Walking may be resumed the day after surgery.
It is quite possible to have loss of sensitivity in the nipple and breast skin due to the swelling. The swelling blocks the nerves ability to send and receive pain and pressure messages to and from the brain. This may resemble a numb feeling and is quite normal. Most sensation returns within 1 to 3 months or possibly up to a year or more. Unfortunately, some instances prove that the loss of sensation is a permanent one. .
Is there much pain associated with Mastopexy?
Normally, there is not a severe sense of pain. Although, discomfort and soreness is what is most often described by patients. Your prescribed pain medications should alleviate the pain associated with Mastopexy. However, if you feel as if your pain is severe do not hesitate to call your surgeon or the staff in call.
You will experience more pronounced pain if you are to remove your support bandages and bra for longer than what is necessary to sponge off. You may also interfere with your end result by going braless soon after your procedure. It is advisable to wear a bra at least for most part of the day and evening — sleeping without — if you must. Especially if your breasts are larger than an A cup.
Where are the scars located involving Mastopexy?
The scar from the crescent Mastopexy is placed directly at the junction of the areola (pigmented skin) and non pigmented skin. It heals leaving a scar that is barely visible in most people.
The full Mastopexy involves more incisions. The anchor shaped scar is normally the chosen incision line. However different doctors have different techniques. The scars are generally very well tolerated by patients as the scars are far less unsightly than the sagging breast. Over the course of 12 to -24 months the scars fade dramatically and in many individuals are not very noticeable. In some individuals the scars will always be somewhat visible, generally seen as a lighter area on the breast.
All patients undergoing Mastopexy should be certain that they understand the incisions and resulting scars. When the patient knows ahead of time what to expect, it is most likely that the scars are not nearly as noticed as is the much improved beauty of the breast due to improvement of the shape and positioning of the nipple.
Is there a lot of swelling involved with Mastopexy?
Your surgeon should attempt to make your scars as inconspicuous as possible. However, you must realize that Mastopexy scars are extensive and permanent. The scars will be red and raised for several months — gradually fading in color and flattening out.
Nipple sensation is generally preserved with this operation. The incidence of loss is usually less than 5%. In many individuals where there is significant ptosis, the sensation has diminished prior to the operation. In these individuals, nipple sensation will sometimes increase after the procedure. However, swelling may decrease sensitivity in the nipple area and/or the breast tissue from the swelling blocking the verves ability to send and receive messages from the brain.
When can I return to work?
You may not feel like doing much for a few days post-operatively. Although after the first three days you may be up and about, walking around thinking you are feeling fine. But in reality you are still able to take your pain medications and have the option of lying down if need be. If you are at work and must work for 8 hours — or even half of that — the option of lying down and popping a few few pain medications is more than likely ruled out. Just be sure that no matter what you do, do not lift anything over your head (including your arms) for at least 10 days or until your doctor specifies.
No strenuous activities, including hard labor or exercise, for at least three weeks. In some cases, you are not allowed to have sexual relations until at least 7 days, post-operatively.
When will I be able to see the results?
Although the results are quite immediate you should not risk taking the bandages off to check. Your bandages will be removed in a few days at a post-operative visit and then you will switch to a soft support bra which will be worn for 21 days. Do not waiver with these instructions. It could risk improper healing and could damage your sutures with the strain (weight) of your breast. After 21 days you will more than likely be able to go without a bra but this isn’t advised. You should at least wear a bra either in the day or at night while you are sleeping. The breasts will eventually sag or lose their firmness once again as you age. Although they will sag at a faster rate if you choose to not wear a bra most of the time.
What are the risks of Mastopexy?
It is possible to have a negative reaction to the anesthesia, excessive bleeding, infection, hematoma and seroma. Of course there is the given that scars will be apparent associated with Mastopexy. Permanent loss of sensitivity in the nipple area and breast skin is possible. If you smoke your risks are increased not to mention that your scars will heal slower and possibly wider than a non-smoker’s would.
A big fear is tissue necrosis (tissue death). I am serious, you do NOT want this. Tissue Necrosis happens when either you smoke and you have poor oxygen-tissue saturation or the surgeon did not use a pedicle to keep blood flowing to your nipple or other skin sections that were reattached. It also could be just bad healing. This is an issue and by far the most worrisome and dangerous so do all that you can to keep this from happening — like stop smoking several weeks beforehand!
Infections, although rare can happen when bacteria such as Staph, which naturally lives on your skin. That is why it is important to wash your breasts, neck and torso with an anti-bacterial soap for several days up until your surgery. This can reduce the amount of Staph on your skin.
How long does a Mastopexy last?
Any surgery can not be considered permanent as far as aging, gravity and your personal bra-wearing habits go. Gravity & age will prevail and you will sag — period. Although we can attempt to slow its process by maintenance and healthy eating. Whatever the case, a woman’s breast tissue, in 95% of cases, will sag eventually. Regardless of having had Mastopexy, a breast will sag again. It may be years from now, but you may need an additional Mastopexy depending on your habits of bra wearing, this may be slower. It is supposed that a breast may sag again after 15 years with part time bra wearing, less than half that in a bra is hardly worn. If you have very thin skin, even less. Be safe and wear a bra.
Other questions?
If you have any questions we have not answered here, or would like to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Bato, call us today at +(632) 8725449, +(632) 8746153 or get in touch via Skype®, Yahoo Messenger®, our Live Help utility, or our contact form. We’re here to help!
