MASTOPEXY

WHAT IS A MASTOPEXY?
Mastopexy, also known as a breast lift, is a surgical procedure that raises and firms your breasts. During a breast lift, excess skin is removed and breast tissue is reshaped to raise the breasts. 

A breast lift restores and enhances the overall shape and appearance of the breast, by repositioning the breast and nipple on the chest wall. Women may benefit from a breast lift if they believe their breasts are “saggy,” or have excess skin and decreased volume after breastfeeding, weight loss or with the normal ageing process.

You might consider a breast lift if:

• Your breasts sag. They have lost shape and volume, or they have  gotten flatter and longer
• When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease
• Your nipples and areola point downward
• Your areola have stretched out of proportion to your breasts
• One of your breasts falls lower than the other

THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE
The procedure generally lasts for 2-3 hours and is performed while you are under general anaesthesia. 

Breast lift surgery uses various incisions to remove excess skin from the breast. The result is a breast that is reshaped with a raised nipple/areola. The size of the areola can also be reduced during the procedure to keep them in proportion to the newly shaped breasts.

Breast lift surgery can be done with or without implants/fat grafting: 

• Breast lift without implants – This is performed when patients have a generous amount of ptotic breast tissue. After the excess skin is removed, the breasts will appear smaller and higher on the chest. 

• Breast lift with implants/fat grafting – This is performed when the patient has ptosis, but has very little breast tissue. The mastopexy will elevate the breast tissue and then use implants to add shape, projection and volume to the breasts. This option is common for women who have nursed their children, lost a significant amount of weight or who have always had a smaller breast volume.

Breast lift surgery is performed at Lingard Private Hospital or Warners Bay Private Hospital. You will stay overnight and will be discharged the following morning.

A breast lift won’t significantly change the size of your breasts. However, a breast lift can also be performed in combination with breast augmentation or breast reduction. We generally recommend waiting until breast development, childbirth and breastfeeding have stopped before undertaking breast lift surgery. 

RECOVERY & HEALING
You will generally be able to return to a normal routine after 6 weeks,  your breasts may swell intermittently over the next 6 months. 

BENEFITS OF A MASTOPEXY

• Restore breast shape and lift after weight loss, pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Lift the nipple so it no longer points downwards or falls below the crease of the breast
• Create symmetry of your breasts
• Reverse stretched or sagging breast tissue
• Correct elongated and flattened breasts

MEDICARE CRITERIA
Generally, breast lift surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure and as such you will be unable to claim a rebate from Medicare or your health fund. There are special circumstances when it may be considered a medical procedure and Dr Kirstin Miteff will let you know if you meet this criteria in your consultation.