With advancing age or after pregnancy, the tissue in the area of the breasts may sag. Excess skin makes the breast appear drooping. For correction, many women undergo an operative breast lift, also called mastopexy. As part of this breast surgery, the breasts are tightened and excess tissue is removed. An increase in the volume of the breast with implants is also possible in the course of a breast lift.
How does a breast lift work?
A breast lift is similar in its procedure to that of a breast reduction. The difference between the two treatments is that the breast lift only removes excess skin and no glandular or fatty tissue. Mastopexy is performed either inpatient or outpatient. It is operated under general anesthesia, the procedure takes about 2-3 hours. There are three procedures for breast lifts, which differ in their incision, depending on the extent of the sagging of the skin and the shape of the hanging breast.
- If it is only a slight hanging of the chest and the skin still has a good traction capacity, a scar-saving method of mastopexy can be used. In this method, the incision runs around the areola to tighten the slightly drooping breast tissue.
- In the case of moderate ptosis of the breast, the breast lift is carried out by an I-shaped/vertical or so-called lollipop incision. A circular incision around the areola allows the nipple to be lifted and moved. A further, vertically running incision, which extends from the edge of the areola down to the lower breast fold, allows the actual tightening of the breast. This incision can be used to remove excess skin in the lower part of the breast.
- If the hanging of the breast is more pronounced and the skin of the breasts rather weak, a third method of breast lift is used. In this technique, the I-shaped incision is supplemented by another incision in the breast fold. The inverted T-incision has the advantage that the breast can be reduced not only in width, but also in length, which raises the breast and makes it firmer. Again, the nipple is repositioned and excess skin in the lower part of the breast is removed. In addition, breast implants can be used to build up volume. These can support the tightening and make the breast appear fuller and rounder. Especially for small breasts that hang strongly, the insertion of implants as part of the breast lift can be useful.I
What should be considered after a breast lift?
The day after the breast lift, the drains are usually pulled and the patient receives a special support bra, which should now be worn for a total of 6 weeks. The bra protects the breasts from external influences and has a tissue-sparing function. It is worn to support healing and to avoid excessive scarring. A physical protection of 2 weeks is very important after a breast lift. Exercise can be started again after the 4th week and driven after 8-12 weeks without further restrictions. About 8-12 weeks after the breast lift, the final result of the operation is visible. The chest is significantly raised, firmer and firmer. Overall, the breast lift has a rejuvenating effect.