Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

What is a Breast Lift?

Click here to watch this procedure in 3D animation

A woman's breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness.

These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:

Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Aging
Weight fluctuations
Gravity
Heredity

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is uplifted and youthful.

What a breast lift won't do:

Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast. If you want your breasts to look fuller or smaller, you might want to consider either breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery.

Breast Lift

Breast Lift

Is a breast lift right for me?

Breast lift surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to try to fit any sort of ideal image or to fulfill someone else's desires.

A breast lift is a good option for you if:

You are physically healthy and maintain a stable weight
You do not smoke
You have realistic expectations
Your breasts have a flatter, elongated shape or are pendulous
You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts sag, have lost shape and volume
When unsupported, your nipples fall below the breast crease
Your nipples and areolas point downward
You have stretched skin and enlarged areolas
One breast is lower than the other

Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:

Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
Get a baseline mammogram before surgery and another one after surgery to help detect any future changes in your breast tissue
Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Special instructions you receive will cover:

What to do on the day of surgery
Post-operative care and follow-up

Dr. Markmann will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Breast lift surgery may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient/ ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital.

If your breast lift is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

What happens during breast lift surgery?

Your breast lift surgery can be achieved through a variety of incision patterns and techniques.

The appropriate technique for you will be determined based on:

Breast size and shape
The size and position of your areolas
The degree of breast sagging
Skin quality and elasticity as well as the amount of extra skin

Step 1 - Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Dr. Markmann will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 - The incision

There are three common incision patterns:

Around the areola
Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease

Step 3 - Reshaping your breasts

After Dr. Markmann makes the incisions:

The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness.
The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height.
If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.
Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.

Step 4 - Closing the incisions

After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed.

Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.

Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape may be used to close the skin.

Step 5 - See the results

The results of your breast lift surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade.

Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal for breasts which have been restored to a more youthful and uplifted position.

Breast Lift

The safety and risks of breast lift surgery:

The decision to have breast lift surgery is extremely personal and you'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Dr. Markmann will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

The risks include:

Unfavorable scarring
Bleeding (hematoma)
Infection
Breast asymmetry
Poor healing of incisions
Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
Anesthesia risks
Breast contour and shape irregularities
Skin discoloration, permanent pigmentation changes, swelling and bruising
Damage to deeper structures - such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs - can occur and may be temporary or permanent
Allergies to tape, suture materials and glues, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents
Fatty tissue deep in the skin could die (fat necrosis)
Fluid accumulation
Excessive firmness of the breast
Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Blood clots
Pain, which may persist
Possibility of surgery to do revisions

You should know that:

Breast lift surgery can interfere with diagnostic procedures
Breast and nipple piercing can cause an infection
Breast lift surgery does not normally interfere with pregnancy, but if you are planning to have a baby, your breast skin may stretch and offset the results of the breast lift and you may have more difficulty breastfeeding after this operation

Where will my surgery be performed?

A breast lift procedure will be performed in a hospital, where you may sometimes require an overnight stay, but are still considered an outpatient. Dr. Markmann and the assisting staff will fully attend to your comfort and safety.

When you go home

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.

Be careful Following Dr. Markmann's instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Dr. Markmann will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

It's very important to ask Dr. Markmann questions about your breast lift procedure. It's natural to feel some anxiety, whether it's excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don't be shy about discussing these feelings with Dr. Markmann.

After your breast lift procedure is completed, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. You'll need to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal.

A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.

You will be given specific instructions that may include: How to care for your breasts following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with Dr. Markmann.

Be sure to ask Dr. Markmann specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.

Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
Are stitches removed? When?
When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
When do I return for follow-up care?

Breast Lift

The results will be long-lasting

The final results of your breast lift will appear over the next few months as breast shape and position continue to settle. Incision lines are permanent, but will continue to fade over time.

The results of your breast lift surgery will be long-lasting. Over time, your breasts can continue to change due to aging and gravity. But, you'll be able to retain your new look longer if you:

Maintain your weight
Keep a healthy lifestyle

Special note: While a breast lift does not usually affect breast function, if you are planning to become pregnant, discuss this with Dr. Markmann. Changes that occur in the breasts during pregnancy can minimize or reverse the improvement a breast lift provides. Likewise, plans for significant weight loss should also be discussed.

The cost?

Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. Prices for breast lift procedures can vary widely. A surgeon's cost for breast lift may vary based on his or her experience as well as geographic location.

We do offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask if you are interested.

Cost may include:

Surgeon's fee
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Anesthesia fees
Post-surgery garments

Most health insurance plans will not cover breast lift surgery, related complications or another surgery to revise the appearance of your breasts. You must carefully review your health insurance policy.

Your satisfaction involves more than a fee

When choosing a plastic surgeon for breast lift surgery, remember that the surgeon's experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery.

Click here to see more before and after photos.