Surgery

Breast Lift

A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts.  As a woman ages, skin loses some elasticity which can cause the breasts to lose their natural shape and firmness.  This procedure is designed to elevate the breasts and give them a more youthful appearance.  A breast lift may also be completed in conjunction with breast enlargement surgery (augmentation).

General Procedure

The breast lift surgical procedure usually takes one and a half to three hours.  Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-like incision along the underside of the breast.  The incision goes around the area where skin will be removed, thus defining how the nipple will be relocated.  When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved into a higher position.  The skin surrounding the areola is brought down and together to reshape the breast.

Some patients, especially those with relatively small breasts and minimal sagging, may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less extensive incisions.  One such procedure is the "doughnut (or concentric) mastopexy" in which circular incisions are made around the areola and a doughnut-shaped area of skin is removed.  Recent innovations in breast lift techniques include minimal incision techniques and nipple sensation reducing procedures.

If the patient is having an implant inserted along with the breast lift, the implant will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue or under the muscle of the chest wall.