Breast Lift Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Am I a candidate for a breast lift?
A: If you have large, troublesome sagging breasts, then you might want to consider having Breast Lift surgery. Sagging of the breast may occur in large breasted women, after pregnancy, or due to heredity.

Q: What is Ptosis?
A: Ptosis or sagging is usually defined as the condition which exists when the nipple areolar resides below the level of the inframammary fold (the area or fold between the breast and abdomen).

Q: What are the risks of involved with breast lift surgery?
A: Risks of breast lift (mastopexy) include loss of tissue or the nipple areolar complex (increased in smokers), bleeding, hematoma, infection, loss of sensation, unfavorable scarring, asymmetry, as well as complications inherent in all operative procedures including anesthesia problems, deep vein thrombosis. Significant complications are not common. This procedure is safe and reliable.

Q:Can I get breast implants along with breast lift surgery?
A: Yes, this is often performed to achieve more fullness of the breast while at the same time eliminating sagging.

Q: What will the scar look like?
A: Scarring after this procedure is inevitable as with any procedure, but is most often a barely visible fine line.

Q: What are the different types of breast lift surgeries available?
A: The type of lift required depends upon the shape of the breast and the amount of sagging. Minimal sagging and a tubular breast shape can be corrected with a minor lift, the Benelli lift, in which the scars are limited to the nipple areolar complex itself. Moderate sagging can be corrected with the "lollipop" lift in which a vertical scar will be present below the areola. Significant sagging requires a full pattern lift in which both vertical and horizontal excess are removed with resulting scars around the areola, a vertical scar below the areola and a transverse scar in the inframammary fold (the junction or fold between breast and abdomen). These scars usually heal extremely well.

Q: What is the healing time?
A: "Healing time" is an imprecise term as it may relate to different frames of reference. It usually takes about a week before one may resume normal activities. You should refrain from vigorous activity for a period of one month to prevent the development of postoperative bleeding. The majority of swelling has abated after a period of 8-12 weeks. It takes at least a year for the scars to fully mature.

Q: Will I need another breast lift in the future?
A: Mastopexy can be "undone" by subsequent pregnancy or by large breasts where the weight of the breast again overstretches the skin.

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