Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift is performed to reduce breast sag and restore the breasts to a more youthful positioning. As women age, factors like gravity, weight fluctuation, and the natural aging process can cause the breasts to droop due to a loss of shape and volume. Breast lift surgery from Dr Vaneshri Chetty-B, our Johannesburg plastic surgeon, can address the skin and breast tissue laxity that commonly leads to breast sag and create a more rejuvenated, “perky” breast appearance. The procedure can also reposition the nipples and areolas to a more central location on the breasts, if desired.
Who is a Candidate for a Breast Lift?
Also known as mastopexy, breast lift surgery is very popular among patients who have undergone pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss. Those who may benefit from a breast lift commonly exhibit one or more of the following:
- A flat or “deflated” breast shape
- Breasts that sag below the inframammary crease (breast fold)
- Nipples that point downward
During a consultation, Dr Chetty-B will ask you about your goals and examine your concerns to determine an effective treatment plan. Depending on your needs, a breast lift can also be combined with other procedures, such as breast augmentation, to comprehensively enhance the shape of your breasts and achieve the desired outcome.
Candidates for any cosmetic procedure should be healthy enough to undergo surgery and the subsequent recovery period, as well as have no uncontrolled medical conditions. Realistic expectations of what breast surgery can achieve are also essential to patient satisfaction after a breast lift.
How is Breast Lift Surgery Performed?
A breast lift is typically an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. During surgery, the breasts can be reshaped using one of the following incisions depending on the extent of “lift” necessary to achieve your goals:
- Crescent or “half-moon”: Made along the upper border of the areolas and effective for patients who experience mild breast sag
- Peri-areolar: Placed around the entire border of the areolas and best-suited for individuals who exhibit asymmetry and do not plan to breastfeed in the future
- Vertical or “lollipop”: Placed around the areolas with a vertical incision that extends down towards the breast crease; most beneficial for patients who have moderate to severe breast sag
- Anchor-shaped: Follows the pattern of the “lollipop” incision with an additional horizontal incision along the breast crease; known as a full mastopexy and reserved for patients with moderate to severe breast sag
Dr Chetty-B will utilise the chosen incision to remove excess skin, fat, and breast tissue that may be causing the breasts to droop. She will then lift the breasts to a more youthful positioning on the chest wall while tightening and reshaping the breast tissue. If necessary, the nipples and areolas can also be repositioned or resized to produce a natural-looking outcome.
What is Recovery From a Breast Lift Like?
After the breast lift procedure, patients generally require one to two weeks of downtime before they return to their daily routines. Light activities can usually be resumed after the first week of recovery, although heavy lifting, exercise, and strenuous work duties should be avoided for at least four weeks. While swelling and bruising is expected after mastopexy, these reactions should naturally resolve as your body continues to heal. Any discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter and prescribed pain medication. Dr Chetty-B may instruct you to wear a supportive bra or compression garment for a few weeks after your procedure to facilitate your new breast contours. She will monitor the progress of your recovery during your post-operative follow-up appointments.
Mastopexy can be a powerful procedure to reshape the breasts and restore a more youthful breast contour. To schedule your breast lift consultation, or to speak with a friendly member of our team, please contact The Forever Institute today.
