Regain Your Breast’s Firmness, With Mastopexy

Women who want to regain the firmness of their breasts can opt for a surgical procedure called a mastopexy, or breast lift. For those who are getting on in their years, or those who are currently breastfeeding, the breast sag is the inevitable consequence. A breast lift aims to reverse this condition by removing the excess skin in certain parts of the breasts, and then lifting the remaining skin in an effort to tighten the breast and bring back its original firmness. Take note that a breast lift is not the same as breast reduction; the latter involves the removal of both skin and tissue, while mastopexy only excises skin from the breast. A breast lift is therefore recommended for women who want to retain their breast’s volume while regaining its former perkiness.

Since the breast size and skin mass differs between women, the decision as to how much skin may be removed to achieve the desired effect will lie on the operating surgeon. The surgery itself takes up to four hours to complete, depending on the extent of the treatment. There are three basic kinds of incision which a doctor can make with a breast lift; for cases which require only a small mass of skin for removal, the incision is made in the nipple or on the immediate area around it. Those which need a significant skin removal may involve a lollipop incision, where the cut is made from the area around the nipple, and the immediate skin below it. For extensive skin sags, the classic lift may be performed wherein the incision extends from around the nipple, the area underneath it, and all the way to the crease. Each of these types of incisions is followed by stretching the remaining skin to cover the excised areas.

The ideal candidates for a breast lift are those with a certain degree of skin sag on the breasts; she should also be free from health conditions which can affect her recovery from the surgery. Those with a high susceptibility for keloid scarring are consequently ill-advised to go for a breast lift. More importantly, breast lift patients should have a stable mental and emotional condition before being approved of the procedure. A breast lift can enhance the patient’s appearance, but will not be able to necessarily change her life. Realistic expectations are therefore required of everyone who chooses to opt for mastopexy.

The scars which develop from the procedure will differ depending on the extent of the incision, but most are barely visible or noticeable in comparison to the improved shape and firmness of the breasts. Your recovery period can extend for up to three weeks before you can go about your usual daily activities. Try to avoid strenuous efforts during this time, especially within the first week after surgery. Avoid lifting any object, or even raising your arms over your head for ten days following the surgery, in order to let the wounds heal properly; do everything under the instruction of your doctor in order to obtain the intended benefit from the procedure.