Breast Uplift (Mastopexy)

A breast uplift, also known as a mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that raises breasts to achieve a firmer and perkier shape. It is suitable for women who are happy with the overall size of their breasts, but would like to improve the shape and firmness. It may be that breast shape has never been as desired, or firmness has been lost due to ageing, pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss. Sagging of the breasts occurs when the skin and ligaments of the breast are stretched, providing less support to the breast tissue and causing the breast to sit lower on the ribcage.

A breast uplift can be combined with a breast enlargement to increase breast size as well as improving firmness and shape.

Who is Suitable for this Procedure?

All ages can have this procedure, but patients are often women in their 30s and 40s who have had children and find their breasts are less pert. If your breasts are sagging due to weight loss it is advisable to wait to have this surgery only once your weight is stable.  It is also advisable to wait until your family is complete at further pregnancies could affect the results of your surgery and breast feeding may be affected.

It is important that the timing is right and that you are able to commit to complete rest for the two weeks following surgery. Time off work and support to look after any dependents during this time is essential and strenuous activity must be avoided for a minimum of 6 weeks.

Before Surgery

Your consultant will want to understand your reasons for considering breast uplift and what results you would like to achieve. This will help determine your suitability for surgery and inform what technique should be used to achieve the right look, size and shape, and if a breast enlargement procedure should be performed at the same time.   Your consultant will show you photos to help you with your decision on what result you would like in terms of look, size and shape.

Before surgery, your consultant will take a full medical history. As well as being emotionally prepared for surgery, it is important you are healthy. Your consultant will examine your breasts for lumps and bumps and will want to know if you have a history of breast cancer.  Your consultant will explain what surgery will involve, the risks and recovery process in depth.  There will be a required wait of two weeks between your consultation and surgery to ensure you have had time to carefully consider everything discussed and the decisions you have made.

How is the Surgery Performed?

A breast uplift is achieved by moving a portion of skin to reposition the breast higher on the rib cage and the nipples higher on the breast.

There are a range of surgical techniques. The most common techniques are the donut, lollipop and the anchor.  These names are derived from the shape of the incisions used, and the best option is determined by your breast size, areola size and position, the extent of sagging and desired result.

The lollipop incision is a vertical incision from under the middle of the breast up to the areola, and around the areola. This is the most commonly used technique, suitable for patients with a moderate amount of breast sagging.

The anchor incision is the same as the lollipop but with an additional incision in the crease under the breast. This is suitable when there is a significant amount of breast sagging as a greater amount of skin can be removed.

The donut is an incision around the areola only.  This is the least common because it allows for a relatively small amount of lift.

Whichever technique is used, excess skin will be removed and the remaining skin re-draped to lift the breast and reshape. Surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and will take 1 to 2 hours depending on the technique, a little longer if an augmentation is being performed at the same time.  Dissolvable stitches will be used to close and drainage tubes to help reduce swelling and bruising may be placed. Once stitches and drains are in place, the chest is bandaged and the surgery is finished.

Following Surgery

You will be closely monitored after surgery and you will usually be able to go home the same or next day. Any drainage tubes will be removed before you leave the hospital. Your consultant will want to see you after one week, and again at six weeks.

You will need to completely rest for one week and it is likely you will need two weeks off work.  If you have a manual job you may need to take up to six weeks off work.  You should avoid all sport and any other physical activity for at least 6 weeks. For best results you should wear a surgical support bra for at least six weeks, day and night.

You will immediately be able to see a change in your breast shape after surgery, however it may take 3 months for swelling to subside and you are able to see the final result. Scars can take up to a year to fade.

Need Help?

We perform many different cosmetic surgery procedures, including breast augmentation, face lift, abdominoplasty, plus many more.  At One Healthcare we can book you in to see a specialist Consultant Plastic surgeon for an initial consultation, usually within 48 hours.  Breast uplift surgery is available at One Ashford Hospital in Kent and One Hatfield Hospital in Hertfordshire.

You can’t usually use your private medical insurance for cosmetic surgery but you can pay directly for your Breast Uplift (Mastopexy) treatment. We offer competitive, fixed price packages. If you are able to use your health insurance, please contact your insurer first for approval and let them know you’d like to be treated at One Hatfield Hospital.

Why One Healthcare

• Modern purpose-built hospital opened in March 2016 (Ashford) December 2017 (Hatfield)
• Fast access to diagnostics including MRI, X-ray and Ultrasound
• 0% and low finance options**
• Private, spacious, en-suite rooms
• Specialist Physiotherapy and nursing teams
• Little or no waiting time
• ‘Ultra clean air’ theatres
• Freshly prepared food
• Calm, dignified experience

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