Frequently Asked Questions about Breast lift (Mastopexy):

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Breast lift (Mastopexy):

Can exercise tighten the skin without Breast lift (Mastopexy)?

Unfortunately no. Exercise is good for the mind and body in general, and toning the muscles can help fill out any loose skin in the vicinity. Excercise can increase muscle bulk, and that in turn can make skin look a little tighter, but exercise cannot actually tighten the breast skin. To date, only surgery can accomplish that.

Does Breast lift (Mastopexy) take care of stretch marks?

Stretch marks are scars. They are produced by distension of the skin. Some of those stretch marks will be removed with the extra skin, especially at the lower part of the breast. Those located on the upper breast will remain. The stretch marks that remain may be tightened and smoothed out somewhat.

Will Breast lift (Mastopexy) tighten up loose skin?

In a way, yes, as much of the loose skin is actually removed, and that which remains is made a little tighter.

What are the techniques of Breast lift (Mastopexy)?

All methods so far invented rely on actual skin removal.Perhaps the most important characteristic of an attractively-shaped breast is the balance between the volume of the breast, and the surface area of the skin holding that volume. If these two are in the correct proportion, then usually an attractive shape results. When there is a mismatch, that is there is too much skin for the breast volume, then the breast is too "relaxed" or "droopy" or "saggy" with a downward descent below the normal level. Correction of this problem then requires either increasing the volume, as with an implant, or decreasing the skin area, called a mastopexy, or sometimes both these methods are needed. The use of an implant is discussed in detail elsewhere. Removal of skin must always result in a scar someplace on the breast.

Can the nipple sense of touch be lost from a mastopexy?

Costs

One can find surgeons offering lower fees for this surgery, and although lower fees do not necessarily mean that the surgeon is not experienced, there are several questions to which prospective patients must learn the answers:

1. Is the surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery?
2. Does the surgeon have considerable experience with the surgery?
3. Is the surgical facility fully accredited for general anesthesia?
4. Will there be an M.D. Anesthesiologist present?
5. Will the surgeon be doing the surgery himself/herself?
6. Can you be sure the surgeon is not just supervising trainees?
7. Does the quoted fee include everything listed above?

Where are the scars after Breast lift (Mastopexy)?

Removal of skin must always result in a scar someplace on the breast. Almost always, the descent of tissues has included the nipple-areola which becomes too low for an attractive look, and so the minimum scar is usually one which goes all the way around the nipple-areola ("The Circle" or the "Binelli"). For mild degrees of descent, that scar around the nipple-areola is all that is necessary. If more skin than that has to be removed, then there will have to also be a vertical scar downward from the nipple-areola so the scar will be a circle with a line downward ("The Lollipop"). If the breast relaxation is even more severe than that, then there will also be a horizontal scar from side-to-side under the breast so the scar will be a circle with a line down and then a curved line under the breast ("The Anchor"). Only at consultation can the extent of the scar needed be estimated. It is known, however, that attempts to correct a severe degree of breast relaxation using only the scar around the nipple-areola generally result in severe problems, and often lead to complications.

Can the problems come back after Breast lift (Mastopexy)?

Yes, the skin stretches with the passage of time, and so as the years go by there will be more skin, and the breast will gradually stretch out again. Nevertheless, a better contour after surgery is in one sense permanent, in that no matter what the person's age, the benefits remain.

Is Breast lift (Mastopexy) surgery painful?

Usually not extremely so, as there are no deeper tissues involved. All the patients are given strong narcotic pills to take at home, and limit their activities accordingly.

Is it safe to do mastopexy on a nicotine user?

What is the recovery period after Breast lift (Mastopexy)?

Recovery time depends on the individual, but usually follows a general pattern. For the first five to seven days, the patients take fairly strong pain medicine, usually a mild narcotic. During this time they generally stay at home, and they cannot drive a car or operate machinery. Near the one-week mark, when they are on milder medicine, they can start light exercise, such as walking, treadmill, stationary bike, but not impact exercises like running or aerobics. The second week, weights or exercise machines can be added, and then after three weeks, running and aerobics can be done. The point at which work can be resumed depends upon how the work activities fit into the progression described above, and this is individualized.

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