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Breast Lift
A breast lift, or mastopexy, raises and reshapes breasts that have lost firmness. Excess skin is removed, the breast tissue is repositioned and the nipple and areola are moved higher on the chest. A breast lift changes breast position and shape rather than adding volume.
Breast shape commonly changes after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuation or with the natural ageing process, as skin loses elasticity and breast tissue settles lower. Beyond appearance, breasts that sit low can cause practical problems such as irritation or rash in the fold underneath, discomfort during exercise and difficulty finding bras that fit.
Where volume has also been lost, particularly in the upper breast, mastopexy can be combined with breast implants or with fat grafting taken from another area of your body. Dr Maryam Seyedabadi, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, consults in Paddington, Sydney and will explain what each approach can and cannot change for your anatomy.
Who it may suit
- Breasts that sit low on the chest, with the nipples at or below the level of the breast fold
- Skin that has stretched after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss
- Recurring chafing, rash or irritation in the fold under the breast
- A visible difference between the two sides in breast position or nipple height
- A wish to change breast shape without a significant increase in size, or with implants or fat grafting if added volume is wanted
- Stable weight, no pregnancy planned in the near future, and willingness to stop smoking well before surgery
What the breast lift procedure involves
Mastopexy is performed under general anaesthetic and usually takes around two to three hours, depending on the technique and whether implants or fat grafting are included.
- Markings are made while you are standing, so nipple position and the amount of skin to be removed are planned against your own proportions.
- The incision pattern is matched to how much skin needs to come out: around the areola, around the areola with a vertical extension, or an inverted T that also sits in the breast fold.
- Excess skin is removed and the breast tissue is reshaped and lifted, with the nipple and areola moved upward on their own blood supply.
- If agreed beforehand, an implant is placed or fat is grafted to address volume in the upper breast.
- The tissue layers are closed with sutures, dressings are applied and a support garment is fitted.
Recovery
A breast lift is often day surgery, though some patients stay one night. Healing differs between individuals and the timeframes below are a general guide only.
- Soreness, swelling and bruising are usual for roughly the first one to two weeks and are managed with prescribed pain relief.
- A surgical support bra is generally worn day and night for around six weeks.
- Many people return to desk-based work after about one to two weeks, and to driving once they are off stronger pain medication.
- Heavy lifting, running and upper body training are usually deferred for around six weeks, guided by your review appointments.
- Scars are permanent. They often firm and darken before softening and fading over 12 to 18 months or longer.
Risks and considerations
All surgery carries risk. For mastopexy this includes bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, fluid collection, wound separation where incisions meet, thickened or stretched scars, asymmetry of breast or nipple position, changes in nipple and skin sensation that can be permanent, reduced ability to breastfeed and, rarely, partial loss of the nipple or areola. Anaesthetic complications and blood clots in the legs or lungs are uncommon but possible. Tissue continues to age after surgery, so shape changes over time and some patients choose further surgery later.
If implants form part of your plan, breast implants are not lifetime devices and further surgery may be needed over time to replace or remove them. Recognised implant risks include capsular contracture, implant rupture, changes in nipple or skin sensation, implant malposition or visible rippling and, rarely, breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, known as BIA-ALCL, a cancer of the immune system that arises in the capsule around an implant.
Your consultation with Dr Maryam
In Australia a referral is required before a consultation for cosmetic surgery, and a referral from your usual GP is preferred. A cooling-off period of at least seven days applies between giving informed consent and surgery, and at least three months for patients under 18, so you have time to consider the information without pressure.
Dr Maryam will examine you, discuss what a breast lift can and cannot achieve for your anatomy, and go through the risks, the likely scar pattern and the alternatives, including doing nothing, different bra support, or augmentation or reduction instead, before you decide. Written information and a quotation for fees follow the consultation. Purely cosmetic surgery does not attract a Medicare item number, while some reconstructive procedures may. Rooms are at 2c Heeley Street, Paddington, phone 1300 067 668.
What actually happens
Your Journey, Step by Step
Before your consultation
Common questions, answered plainly.
What is a breast lift, and who might consider one?
A breast lift, or mastopexy, raises and reshapes the breast by removing excess skin and repositioning the nipple. People commonly consider it after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight change or with ageing, when the breast has lost firmness and sits lower than they would like. A lift does not add volume. If more fullness in the upper breast is wanted, implants or fat grafting may be discussed as part of the plan.
What is the difference between a breast lift and a breast augmentation?
A lift changes position and shape by removing skin and tightening the breast. An augmentation adds volume with an implant. If your breast tissue is adequate but sitting low, a lift alone may be appropriate. If volume is the main concern, an implant or fat grafting may suit. The two are sometimes combined, which is a longer operation with more variables, so careful planning at consultation matters.
Can a breast lift be combined with implants or fat grafting?
Yes, either can be combined with mastopexy in selected cases. Implants add upper pole fullness but are not lifetime devices, and further surgery may be needed over time. Implant risks include capsular contracture, rupture, changes in sensation and, rarely, breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Fat grafting uses your own fat and gives a subtler change, with some of the grafted fat reabsorbing. Dr Seyedabadi explains which approach suits your tissue.
What is recovery like after a mastopexy, and what scars are left?
Recovery varies. Most people take one to two weeks away from desk work, wear a support bra for several weeks and typically wait around six weeks before chest exercise or heavy lifting. Scars are permanent and depend on the technique used, usually around the areola and running vertically to the breast fold. Shape continues to settle for months, and further loss of firmness can occur over time with ageing, pregnancy or weight change.
