Treatments / Breast uplift - mammopexy - mastopexy
Breast uplift / mammopexy / mastopexy
A pregnancy or loss of weight, age or breast feeding can have a huge impact on the firmness of your breasts. The breasts loosen, and often to the stage of drooping . Droopy breasts can happen to small as well as to large sizes.
- The lift is suitable for loose breasts, that are of a normal size.
- In the case of droopy, more imposing breasts, the breast uplift would be accompanied by a breast reduction (cfr equally breast reduction).
- Small loose breasts can gain a cup size or more, at the same time as the uplift. In this specific case the surgeon places an implant behind the muscle in order to enlarge the breast size (cfr. equally breast augmentation).
What happens?
At the time of the lift, the breasts experience an important transformation. The mammary gland is reshaped in accordance with the patients request and brought back against the muscle in order to obtain a permanent result. Next, the surgeon removes the excess skin, lifts up the nipple and sometimes reduces its size. The result is a firmer and younger bust, that a swimsuit or a top will emphasize!
Scar
In the case of a breast uplift, a scar is inevitable. Currently the 'vertical scar technique’ is the standard technique. The previous anchor scar has been reduced to a vertical scar. The scar around the nipple has not changed. This scar will gradually fade away with time.
Anaesthetic
Thanks to a refinement in operation techniques and a constant progress in the anaesthetic field these last few years, the breast uplift is carried out under local anaesthetic accompanied by a mild sedation. After the operation you will feel fit and well. It is not necessary to envisage a night’s stay at the clinic.
Recovery
The operation takes place in the morning and you can leave the clinic the same evening.
You will need to return one or two days later in order to have a check up with the surgeon, take out the drain and replace your bandage.
Normally you will not feel any post-operative pain. You will receive classic pain killers like ibuprofen and paracetamol, to help you face any eventual discomfort.
You will need take a week off work and for this you will receive a medical certificate from us. We equally recommend to live life at a slower rhythm the first week following your operation.
All sutures dissolve by themselves. Thus no stitches to be removed. After the surgery you will have to wear a support bra for a period of 6 weeks by day. A sports bra with a broad elastic band and adapted to your new cup size will do. After this period you will be able to wear again the usual underwear. Showering will not be possible before two weeks.
You will change your bandage after one week by yourself. The plastic surgeon will show you how to do this.
Precaution
The plastic surgeon proceeds with these operations in conditions of optimal security, surrounded by a professional team.
Even though the breast uplift is generally done under local anaesthetic and sedation, you are constantly watched over under monitoring by the anaesthetist (automatic and repetitive measure of the blood pressure, constant measuring of the oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram). One or more highly qualified nurses will equally supervise. These surroundings will guarantee that you have faultless safety.
The local anaesthetic allows not only an operation without pain but also a minimal risk of bloodloss and the appearance of bruises.
If you are taking anticoagulant drugs, please inform your plastic surgeon of this first (for ex. acetylsalicylic acid, aspirin, asaflow, cardioaspirine, dipiridamole, plavix, sintrom, marevan and others).
After the operation, you are able to contact your plastic surgeon at all times on his personal mobile number, if you have the slightest question.
Risks and eventual complications
If you are in good health, you have nothing to worry about as there is no risk linked to this operation.
Healing can be slowed if you smoke or suffer from obesity. Due to diminished vascularisation we can sometimes notice the forming of scabs around the nipple. And the vertical scar too will take longer to heal. In this case you will need to treat this on a daily basis with an isobetadine cream.
With or without these complications the final aesthetic result will be just as beautiful. Your surgeon will make his knowledge available to you in order to help you best.
Other questions about the breast uplift
Can I still breast feed?
No, seen as the nipple has been lifted and the milk canals have been incised therefore.
What about the sensitivity of the nipple?
Sensitivity can decrease following a breast uplift. This can be explained by the fact that the nipple has been moved, there by leading to the cutting of very fine small nerves.
Do I have to have an annual check-up?
No it is not necessary.
Do I have to have a breast cancer screening?
Just like before the surgery. Normally the mammography and ultrasound can be carried out without any problems. Nevertheless inform the radiologist of your operation (notably on the subject of the internal scar formation).
Related subjects
breast enlargement
breast reduction
inverted nipple
nipple reduction
male chest reduction
Contact
Surgery and consultations (after appointment)
A.Z. Jan Portaels
Gendarmeriestraat 65
B-1800 Vilvoorde
Belgium
T: +32 (0)2 257 59 74
A.Z. Lokeren
Lepelstraat 2
9160 Lokeren
Belgium
+32 (0)9 340 85 30
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