Breast lift

The female breast loses its firmness and sags with age. On the one hand, skin elasticity is reduced, but there can also be significant changes following childbirth or even abortion.

During pregnancy, hormones cause the mammary glands to swell, preparing them to produce milk for the baby. After giving birth, this milk production usually starts. After the cessation of milk production, or following the surgical or spontaneous termination of pregnancy, the glandular tissue does not return to its original state but becomes smaller and atrophied.

Sagging can also be significant after frequent weight gain and weight loss. The durability of the postoperative result may also depend on the elasticity of the patient’s tissues.

During the consultation, we will assess the skin tone and the size and shape of the breasts to advise the best for the individual.

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Information

How is a breast lift procedure done?

The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia for the patient’s comfort, but can also be performed under local anaesthesia. Before the surgery, the markings are made and the surgical plan is set up. The type of incision chosen during the discussion at the consultation is made, and the excess skin will be removed with the nipple-areola complex relocated accordingly. Thorough haemostasis and revision of the foreign body, followed by reshaping and closing the breast. The compression bra is fitted in the operating theatre. The procedure can take between 60 minutes and 2.5 hours.

After the surgery

You will spend one night in our clinic for observation following the breast lift procedure. This involves pain relief, applying ice packs, mobilisation and continuous monitoring of the condition.

There are a number of conditions that can occur after surgery that you should know about:

A painful feeling of tension that decreases day by day
Temporary discomfort
Swelling or bruising with a feeling of “tightness”
Itch

Risks

It is important to know that the effects of a breast lift (mastopexy) are not permanent, so factors such as a new pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes and natural ageing processes can accelerate the repeated sagging of the breasts.

Breast lift surgery is associated with improved quality of life and self-esteem, and minimal complications. Poor results may include wound dehiscence, haematoma formation, abnormal scarring, pain, partial or complete nipple necrosis and breast deformity. These complications can be minimised by proper patient selection, complete cessation of smoking, appropriate choice of procedure and meticulous surgical technique.

In some cases, the fluctuation in the sensitivity of the nipple-areola complex (NAC) is usually temporary. The scars are permanent, but if you follow the pre- and post-operative care advice, they will become much less noticeable over time. If the scars are wide and extensive due to healing problems, local anaesthetic correction is recommended after 6 months.

In detail:

The complication of the first 24-48 hours is bleeding. During the surgery, the blood vessels are closed with electric forceps, they are coagulated. Before closing the surgical site, we will of course make sure that there is no bleeding. Unfortunately, straining, coughing or a wrong move can open up an already closed vessel stump and cause bleeding, which can be so severe that the wound has to be opened, meaning that a repeated surgery is required.
The most serious complication is inflammation. (Which can happen during any other type of procedure, whether it is a hernia surgery or a vascular surgery). The degree of inflammation can range from mild redness, which does not require any special intervention, to severe, purulent inflammation, which can lead to hospitalisation.
Over time, gravity and natural ageing processes can cause the breast to “sag” again.
Abnormal wound healing may also occur, which can take the form of wound dehiscence or later abnormal scarring. It can be an atrophic (sunken) or hypertrophic (prominent) scar or its most severe form, a keloid. A keloid is a burning itchy, painful, broad, red, bulging candle-drop-like lesion.
Rarely, reduced sensitivity of the nipple, areola or skin of the breast may occur, which tends to be temporary but in exceptional cases may become permanent.
Other rare types of complications include suture hypersensitivity, local bruising, etc., which are detected and managed appropriately during post-operative visits.
Deep vein thrombosis, embolism, death.
The above complications may occur in 1-2 per cent of cases, some even less frequently.
After the surgery, the two breasts may be different from each other, causing asymmetry. This is usually because there was a difference between the two breasts before the surgery.

Healing

The patient should rest for at least 48-72 hours and avoid any kind of exertion. At the first post-operative check-up, you will be checked to make sure everything is going well and the plaster covering the scars will be changed. At the second visit, after two weeks, the knots of the absorbable sutures are cut through. The swelling can persist for 4-6 weeks. You can usually return to normal life after 7-10 days. Exercise is allowed 6-8 weeks after the surgery.

For 6 weeks, a bra (usually an elastic sports bra) must be worn day and night. After 4 weeks it can be skipped at night, after six weeks it is not compulsory to wear it during the day, but it is recommended in certain cases. Later on, you can fully return to your previous lifestyle, e.g. in the area of sport.