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Indications: A breast lift is done to tighten the breast and remove looseness. It does not make the breasts larger, this needs breast enlargement with an implant.
Method: The method of surgery is determined by the degree of laxity of breast skin. It is common to tighten the skin of the breast by removing the excess. The incision is placed like an upside down T although sometimes it is a Q or L shape. In more minor degrees of ptosis, a crescent shaped area can be removed above the nipple thus elevating the nipple with minimal scar. This is called a crescent mastopexy, and is often used in younger women. Although it creates less tightening than some traditional operations, the compromise of fewer long scars is often preferred by many women.
An implant can often be placed through the same incision.The scars are all on the under surface of the breast and around the nipple. The operation is done under either local anesthetic (you are awake) or general anesthetic (you are asleep). Many people are more comfortable asleep. Most of the time this is an outpatient operation and a stay in the hospital is not needed.
Problems: All operations have some risk. The risks of surgery can be divided into two groups. First those that are seen in all operations and second those that are unique or special for this operation. In the first group, the main risks are swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, a scar and numbness or change in feeling. The main problems which is special for this operation are a long and sometimes heavy or puckered scar (see photograph), a square or abnormal shape and damage to the nipple sensation.
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It is important to remember that no surgeon can give a guarantee about the final outcome, including appearance, shape, size and so on. You should have a realistic attitude about the outcome, and remember that all surgery has good and bad aspects. That there is no such thing as ‘perfect surgery’.
The satisfaction rate for cosmetic surgery is around 90% and although a satisfactory outcome is anticipated this means that 10% of people do not achieve the result that either the patient or the surgeon would like.
If things do not go well you may need revision or secondary surgery. Although many surgeons do not charge for this, there is often a charge for anesthesia and operating room costs.
Postoperative care: recovery takes one to two weeks. Most people are back to work within a week or two.