Mastopexy (Breast Lift Surgery)
Breast lift Surgery is a very common cosmetic surgery in Florida, and in our office as well. Mastopexy, also known as a breast lift surgery raises and firms the breasts by removing extra skin and reshaping the breast tissue.
If you are happy with your breast size, but do not like the amount of sag you have, then a breast lift alone will give you the results you want. The mastopexy, or breast lift surgery, will require making incisions on the breast.
There are several different types of incisions, and the choice of which incision to use will be made based on the quality of your skin and the amount of lift you need. Here are the three most common types of incisions.
Incision Patterns for Mastopexy
- Periareolar
- Vertical
- Wise pattern
There are many cosmetic surgeons in Florida, and each will have a different view on the best choice. Miami cosmetic surgeons are know for using the periareolar incision. Florida breast augmentation patients generally opt for the wise pattern, when a good deal of skin is to be removed. The periareolar incision can be done if the skin quality is good and the nipple needs raised only a small amount. The vertical mastopexy results in a “lollipop” incision that goes around the areola and down the front of the breast.
This technique can be used when a moderate amount of lift is required but there is not too much excess skin. There is a tendency for the skin to bunch at the bottom of the scar, and this can take several weeks to months to smooth out completely.
The Wise pattern mastopexy (named for the surgeon who developed it) results in an anchor shaped scar, and the bottom part lies in the fold under the breast. This removes the most skin, but results in the longest scar.
Breast Augmentation with Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
Many Florida Breast augmentation patients choose to have a lift done at the time of surgery. A breast implant can be placed to improve the amount of fullness you have in the upper part of the breast either at the same time as the mastopexy or in a staged fashion.
Some cosmetic surgeons in Florida will not perform these procedures together because there is increased risk that the nipple and areola will not get enough blood supply after surgery and will turn into scab. I do perform these procedures together, but I limit the size of the implant to reduce the risk.
Risks of Mastopexy (Breast Lift surgery)
- Unfavorable scarring
- Bleeding (hematoma) that may require drainage or surgery to stop the bleeding
- Fluid collection (seroma) that may require drainage
- Infection
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation (may be temporary or permanent)
- Breast contour and shape irregularities
- Breast asymmetry
- Fatty tissue could die (fat necrosis) causing lumps
- Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola
- Breast lift surgery does not normally interfere with pregnancy, but if you are planning to have a baby, your breast skin may stretch and offset the results of mastopexy, and you may have more difficulty breastfeeding after this operation
Expected postoperative course after Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
Swelling and bruising are common after breast lift surgery. You will be sore for a few weeks, but the discomfort is usually well controlled with prescription pain medication in the first few days and over the counter medications after that.
You will have a surgical bra to wear for several weeks after surgery, and you should not wear an underwire bra until everything is healed.
The final results of your breast lift surgery will take months because the breast shape and position continue to settle. The incisions will lead to permanent scars, but they will continue to fade over time. Mastopexy, or breast lift surgery, corrects breast sag, but it cannot prevent the breasts from continuing to sag in the future. Keeping a stable weight will help your results last as long as possible.
Miami cosmetic surgeons charge as much as $8,000 to $15,000. this is probably a bit higher that other cosmetic surgeons in Florida. We charge about $9,800 on average for a breast lift surgery. Breast Lift surgery takes about three hours, and is fairly average for cosmetic surgery in Florida.