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Breast Lift
Mastopexy is the medical name for a breast lift. In this procedure, a plastic surgeon raises and reshapes your breasts to give them a firmer, rounder look. The surgery also removes extra skin around your breast and reduces the size of your areola — the colored circle around your nipple.
As you get older, your breasts lose their elasticity and firmness. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight gain or loss can accentuate this process. You might want to have this surgery if your breasts have started to sag or droop. If you’d also like to increase the size of your breasts, you can sometimes have breast augmentation at the same time as mastopexy.
Procedure
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Surgeon performs a breast lift using a few different procedures. The technique the doctor uses depends on the size and shape of your breasts, and how much lift you need.
Before your procedure, your surgeon will ask you to stop taking certain medications. These include drugs like aspirin that thin your blood.
In general, the surgery involves these steps:
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You’ll be marked by the surgeon in the standing position to determine the new lifted position of the nipple on your breast.
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You’ll be under general anesthesia.
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The surgeon will make an incision around the areola. The cut will usually extend down the front of your breast, from the bottom of the areola to the crease. It may also extend along the sides of the areola.
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The surgeon will lift and reshape your breasts. Afterward, the surgeon will move your areolas to the correct position on the new breast shape, and may also reduce their size.
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The surgeon will remove any extra skin to give your breasts a firmer appearance.
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Finally, the surgeon will close the incisions with stitches, sutures, skin adhesives, or surgical tape. Surgeons usually try to place incisions in parts of the breast where they will be less visible.
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Recovery
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Your breasts may be swollen and sore for a few weeks after your surgery. The doctor will give you medication to relieve the pain. You can also hold ice to your breasts to relieve swelling and soreness.
You will need to wear a surgical bra or a non-wire bra for two to three weeks after your surgery. You’ll also need to sleep on your back propped up by pillows to keep your chest raised.
The soreness, bruising, and swelling should go away after a few weeks. Your breasts may take between 2 and 12 months to reach their final shape.
Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for two to four weeks after your surgery.
Mastopexy give your breasts a more lifted, firmer appearance. You may have some scars on your breasts, but they should fade over time. Newer breast lift techniques cut down on scarring. To maintain your new look, try to avoid significant changes in your weight.
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