Breast Lift or Mastopexy
About this procedure
A breast lift is a surgical procedure known as a mastopexy, which corrects breasts that are drooping, and restores them to an attractive, natural position.
Drooping or sagging breasts are not uncommon, and frequently cause women to be self-critical. Breast drooping, or ptosis, can occur after childbearing, with the post-partum reduction of glandular tissue, and the relaxation of the suspensory ligaments of the breast. It can also occur following weight loss, and sometimes, it can simply be the result of a patient’s natural development.
Many associate a breast lift with either a breast augmentation, or a breast reduction, and may think the operations are synonymous. They aren’t. While a breast reduction is required for patients with overly large breasts, when the volume is right a breast lift may simply require the removal of excess skin, and moving the gland upwards, in order to provide a more desirable appearance. A woman may decide to have breast implants inserted at the same time as a breast lift (augmentation/mastopexy) when conditions are right.
A serious issue with performing a mastopexy is the proper placement of the nipples. All too often, surgeons will get the nipples in the wrong place. Once this happens, it is almost impossible to correct.
The correct placement of the nipples/areola depends on following the artistic principles of anatomic design. In the normal female human body, the breasts diverge from the midline plane so that when you see one breast in profile, in the oblique view, the other breast will be in the full round. If the nipples are centrally located, the results will be less than ideal. When the nipples are too far towards the center they look even worse (cross-eyed). The diagram demonstrates how to locate the proper nipple placement using ideal human proportions.
The nipple position and the size of the nipples are of the utmost importance for a successful result in breast lift surgery. This is something that is frequently done wrong by surgeons who lack an artistic aptitude.
At Fairbanks Plastic Surgery Center, we combine art and medical science to produce the most beautiful and natural-looking breast lift results, with the least scarring possible. We also maintain our own state-of-the-art operation room to help reduce the cost of breast lift surgery. We would be happy to meet with you to discuss these procedures, share with you our breast-lift experience, and answer any questions you may have.
Things to Avoid in Breast Lift or Mastopexy
Certain “quickie” breast lift procedures characteristically result in less than desirable results, such as the widening, stretching, or puckering of your nipples. These deformities are characteristic of the so-called “nipple mastopexy.” The nipple mastopexy was not a good operation 30 years ago, and since its reintroduction, it remains no good. Furthermore, once the damage is done, it is very hard to correct. Having your nipples end up in the wrong place, or having abnormally shaped breasts, such as bottoming out, are characteristically seen in the so-called “vertical mastopexy.” You cannot expect to have attractive breasts from these procedures. The so-called “crescent mastopexy” is also ill-advised. It will not raise your breasts, but it will deform your nipples. These procedures should seen for what they are and avoided.
Breast Lift Surgery Before & After
Breast Lift Procedure
Mastopexy Plus Breast Augmentation
Mastopexy
Breast Lift Surgery
Mastopexy Before and After
Mastopexy Plus Breast Augmentation
Mastopexy Plus Breast Augmentation
Mastopexy Plus Breast Augmentation
Your goal should be to achieve the most natural result possible. Unfortunately, there are “breast-lift” procedures which can be done quickly, but fail to achieve a natural appearance. If you have undergone a breast-lift or mastopexy, and achieved a less than desirable appearance, be sure to call the office and make an appointment to come in for a consultation/evaluation. We may be able to help you.
*All before and after photos are real patients of Fairbanks Plastic Surgery. Identifiable images are used with patient permission.