Mrs Dalia V Nield FRCS(Ed)   FRCS(Eng)

CONSULTANT PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGEON

Formerly Consultant at
St Bartholemew´s and Homerton Hospitals

  5 Devonshire Place   London W1G 6HL   Telephone 020 7616 7693


PROCEDURES: Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Introduction

Mastopexy or Breast Lift is an operation designed to treat ptosis (“drooping”) of the breast by moving the nipple-areola complex back up to the normal position and tightening the skin envelope of the breast to improve shape and projection.

Preoperative
1 week 		Postoperative
The normal position of the nipple is in line with the fold under the breast or the middle of the upper arm. Ptosis ( drooping of the breast) may occur after pregnancy or weight-loss or as part of the aging process.
The are many different surgical techniques for mastopexy. You can express your preferences in our consultations. Very important factors are how much the nipple has “dropped”, how much excess skin is present and your own preferences for the site of any scar.
There is always a scar around the nipple-areolar complex that is well camouflaged by the different colour of the areola and the surrounding skin. There is also a vertical scar running from the lowest central point of the areola to the fold under the breast and a transverse scar along the fold under the breast. The length of the scar in the fold varies with the size and ptosis of the breasts and the technique used to correct them.
All scars are pink to start with and with time they became pale. The quality of the scars depends on your capacity to heal and the skill of your surgeon. Some people heal with thick unsatisfactory scars (keloids) and there are various treatments available to help this type of scarring.
Breast-feeding, mammograms and self-examination are not affected as the breast tissue is not reduced, only the skin.