 Mastopexy - is the medical term for a breast lift. A breast lift is a procedure done to raise and reshape sagging breasts. This situation is common after weight loss, pregnancy, and aging. With aging, the breast skin is stretched and there is a loss of breast volume. Because of the loss of breast volume, the nipples sag downward and there is loss of cleavage.
Mastopexy may or may not involve placement of breast implants. If the sagging is minimal, the problem may be corrected with implants alone. In many cases this is advantageous, as the scarring is less. More extensive sagging usually requires more extensive surgery.
Mastopexy involves making skin incisions around the areola, vertically downward and then under the breast at the inframammary crease. Once the skin incisions are made, the nipple and areola are moved to a more normal position and excess skin from beneath the breast is removed. Closing the incisions recontours the breast to a higher position. If the breast tissue available is inadequate to fill the desired size, breast implants may be placed at the same time.
Mastopexy takes 1-2 hours and is usually done under general anesthesia. Frequently the procedure is done on an outpatient basis and the patient goes home the same day. Strenuous activity is usually curtailed for 3-4 weeks, but regular activity can be resumed in one week.
As always complications are possible. These include bleeding, infection. Possible side effects include decreased sensation to the nipple and possibly inability to breast feed.
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