Breast Lift

Mastopexy

Many women can develop laxity of the breasts and descent of the nipple/areolar complexes (ptosis) as a result of pregnancy, weight loss, aging, or simple genetics. Furthermore, many women are also born with a natural discrepancy between the breasts, with one breast being different in size (and sometimes in shape) than the other. Breast mastopexy can be utilized to not only reposition the nipple/areolar complex into a higher, “younger” position but also to equalize the breasts in order to achieve improved symmetry.

Mastopexy photo

Types of Breast Lift

  • If only a small amount of elevation is required, a Periareolar Mastopexy can be performed that confines the scar to a simple circle around the nipple/areolar complex. Dr. Lober only performs this procedure in a very select group of patients because 1) the degree of improvement is very limited, 2) a permanent suture (which can be disturbingly palpable) is required to maintain a set areolar diameter, and 3) the areolar diameter can become unnaturally large if either absorbable sutures are used or if the permanent suture fails.

  • Much more commonly, he performs a full Vertical Mastopexy to achieve a more significant correction of the ptotic breasts. This procedure incorporates a scar around the nipple/areolar complex and a single vertical scar immediately below the nipple/areolar midline (“lollypop” pattern). Other surgeons often perform mastopexies with an additional long, horizontal inframammary scar (“anchor” pattern), but Dr. Lober prefers to avoid this approach. The Vertical Mastopexy not only has fewer scars, but also produces a breast mound that is intrinsically higher on the chest than the older-style Inferior Pedicle Mastopexy.

  • Other surgeons often perform mastopexies with an additional long, horizontal inframammary scar (“anchor” pattern), but Dr. Lober prefers to avoid this older-style Inferior Pedicle Mastopexy approach.

Breast Lift photo

Surgery & Recovery

Patients can expect to experience their greatest amount of discomfort in the first several days if the implant is placed below the Pectoralis Major Muscle (because of stretch being placed on the muscle itself). Postoperative discomfort is markedly reduced when the implant is placed on top of the muscle (in a subglandular pocket). Patients are encouraged to resume light activity within the first 2 to 3 postoperative days, and most are able to drive comfortably within 5 to 7 days. Moderate exercise can be resumed within 5 to 7 days, and more intense activities can usually be resumed within 14 days.