Breast lifting, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure designed to raise and reshape sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to restore a more youthful and uplifted appearance.

What Is Mastopexy (Breast Lift)?

The reasons and timing for losing breast shape can vary from person to person. Those with large breasts may experience sagging problems at an early age, and the incorrect use of bras can also cause breasts to lose their firmness early on. Normally, the nipple should be above the breast fold line. However, in some cases, the breasts sag, and the nipple reaches the fold level. In more advanced cases, the nipple is below the breast fold.

A breast lift operation is a type of aesthetic surgery performed when the fullness of the breast is lost, the breast tissue is displaced to a lower position than it should be, and the nipple sags downward due to physical and environmental factors.

Mastopexy is performed to restore a perky appearance to sagging breasts by repositioning the nipples to their correct position, shaping the breast tissue, and removing excess skin from the area. For individuals with large breasts, excess breast tissue is removed. For those with small breasts, silicone implants may be used.

Although mastopexy can be performed at any age, it is recommended that individuals lose excess weight before the surgery and postpone the surgery until after childbirth if they are planning a pregnancy. After deciding on the desired appearance of the breast tissue, the operation day is scheduled. The goal of mastopexy is to provide an aesthetic appearance to the breast, making it important to plan the process well and for the patient to communicate their desires clearly to the doctor.

How Is a Breast Lift Surgery Performed?

During the examination, your surgeon will assess the degree of sagging and the size of your breasts and decide on the appropriate operation. The procedure, performed under general anesthesia, takes approximately 2 hours.

When the volume of the breast within the bra is insufficient and sagging is present, lifting and augmentation are done simultaneously using breast implants to achieve the desired form.

If the volume within the bra is sufficient and the concern is only the sagging appearance, the sagging tissues of the breast are tightened and lifted without using implants, repositioning the breast tissues to where they should be. The suitable technique for you will be determined during the consultation with your doctor.

Who Is Eligible for a Breast Lift Surgery?

Anyone who is 18 years or older, physically healthy, and experiencing breast sagging can undergo the surgery. The appearance of scars post-surgery varies depending on the skin type, thickness, and healing process. Despite this, the surgery is not recommended for those who would be bothered by these scars. However, it is suitable for individuals with significant breast sagging and those who are uncomfortable with this issue.

What Should Be Considered Before Breast Lift Surgery?

First and foremost, a breast examination by a plastic surgeon is essential. For those with potential metabolic risks or women over 40, ultrasound and mammography results are evaluated before deciding on the surgery. Since smoking affects the healing process, it is important to quit smoking before the operation for a quick and smooth recovery. Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs should be discontinued 2-3 weeks before the surgery. If you are taking herbal medicines or supplements, they should be stopped before the surgery. It is crucial to share detailed information about existing diseases and medications with your doctor.

What Are the Risks of Mastopexy?

Though very rare, bleeding can occur during or after the surgery. Drains are used during the operation. However, if bleeding occurs, an additional procedure may be necessary to drain it. To minimize the risk of bleeding, aspirin and some anti-inflammatory drugs should be stopped 10 days before the surgery.

Infections are extremely rare in these types of surgeries. If an infection occurs, antibiotics may be required. In addition to antibiotics, minor surgical interventions may be necessary.

Permanent loss of sensation after surgery is extremely rare. However, changes in sensation in the nipple and breast are normal in the initial period.

Fat necrosis (loss of fat tissue) within the breast tissue can occur, especially after the procedure in large breasts. Fat necrosis may resolve on its own. However, sometimes long-term dressings or even surgical removal of the necrotic fat tissue may be necessary.

Tissue loss is a complication that can occur, especially in smokers, but it can also happen in any case where the incisions are tightly closed. The skin around the incision area, particularly around the nipple, may show nutritional problems due to decreased blood circulation. In such cases, long-term dressing or surgical intervention may be needed.

All surgical procedures leave some scarring. The outcome of a breast lift surgery is positively influenced by good wound healing and minimal tension. Tightly stitched wounds and a tendency for poor scarring can result in more noticeable scars. Sometimes additional surgical procedures may be needed to improve these scars, but at least a year should be waited for this.

Hardness in the breast area that can last a long time can sometimes be seen after a breast lift surgery. While the frequency of this occurrence cannot be precisely stated, surgical intervention may rarely be required. In some cases, the results may not be as good as desired. Insufficient skin elasticity and rapid weight gain or loss after the surgery can cause this. In such cases, the surgery may need to be repeated after a certain period. Delays in healing and wound separation are extremely rare but more common in smokers. Usually, monitoring the wound with dressings is sufficient, but additional surgical interventions may be needed in some cases. Asymmetries between the breasts are not uncommon. Although the aim of this surgery is to minimize asymmetries, sometimes differences between the two breasts may occur. Additional procedures may be needed to correct these differences. Allergies to the materials used in dressings, tapes, and some medications (even those chosen for being non-allergenic) can occur. Extra treatment may be required in such cases. Independent of the surgery, some breast diseases or breast cancer can occur. After a certain age, it is important for all women to have regular breast examinations and follow up their breast health with imaging methods such as mammography and ultrasound.

Mastopexy Operation Process

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. During the surgery, the nipples are relocated to the area planned by the surgeon. The breast tissue is shaped. At this stage, tissue is removed from large breasts, and silicone implants are used for small breasts. If necessary, excess skin in the area is removed, and the operation is completed. The duration of the surgery depends on the degree of sagging, the size of the breast and areola (the colored area around the nipple), and the amount of excess skin. Generally, it takes around 2 hours. After the operation is completed, the patient is awakened by the anesthesiologist and taken to their room. The healthcare team monitors the patient’s general health and ensures their nourishment. If no problems arise, the patient can be discharged on the day of the operation.

After breast lift surgery, it is normal to experience some swelling around the breast and its surrounding area. Swelling starts to subside after the first week post-operation. During this period, the breasts may appear higher and more perky than normal. After about a month, the breast and the fold under the breast begin to take on a more natural appearance.

Post-Breast Lift Surgery

The dressings remain the day after the surgery. The next day, the dressings are changed, and new dressings are applied. For about 15 days post-surgery, a special bra needs to be worn to speed up the healing process and maintain the shape of the breasts.

Depending on your healing speed, stitches are usually removed within 15 days. You can get up the day after the surgery, but it may take 4-5 days to return to daily activities. A sports bra should be worn regularly for support. Drains placed during the surgery are removed 24-48 hours post-surgery. Since aesthetic self-absorbing stitches are used, there is no need for stitch removal. Swelling occurs after the surgery, but as the swelling subsides over time, the shape of the breasts starts to emerge. The breasts take their final shape in approximately 8-10 weeks.

What Should Be Considered After Breast Lift Surgery?

The sports bra recommended by your doctor should be worn continuously for 4-6 weeks. Drains are usually removed 24-48 hours after the surgery. You should wait until the drains are removed before taking a shower. To ensure optimal healing, it is necessary to sleep in a slightly elevated position during the first weeks. Painkillers and antibiotics should only be used if prescribed by your doctor and should be taken as directed.

Lifting or pushing heavy objects is strictly prohibited for 3-4 weeks. Avoid heavy sports for at least 1 month and refrain from sexual activity for at least 1 week. Smoking and alcohol consumption can slow down the healing process and increase the risk of post-surgical complications.

Due to the structure of the skin, breasts may sag again over the years. Paying attention to nutrition and regular exercise can help manage this situation. In cases of developmental anomalies or asymmetry, such an operation may be needed at a young age. It should also be noted that such conditions can lead to confidence issues.

What to Expect After Mastopexy?

Recovery after the operation is easy and quick. However, if combined with breast augmentation surgery, a longer recovery time can be expected. The rest period is 1 week. At the end of the rest period, you can comfortably return to daily activities and work. As with any surgery, the recovery time varies from patient to patient. It is normal to feel slight pain and discomfort after the operation. Painkillers prescribed by your surgeon can be an effective solution for the first days. In the early stages of the recovery process, there may be swelling, bruising, and itching at the incision sites. The first week should be spent resting at home, but short walks and light activities are important to maintain blood flow to the incision areas. It may take a few weeks for the swelling to completely subside. Once the swelling subsides, the patient can clearly see the results of the breast lift operation. Avoid underwire bras for the first 2 or 3 months. Numbness and changes in sensation around the nipple may occur over time. Some patients may feel a tingling or stinging sensation at the incision sites during the healing process. This is part of the nerve restoration process to regain normal function. Patients should avoid strenuous activities for the first 3 to 4 weeks and refrain from lifting their hands above their heads.

What Are the Combined Procedures with Breast Lift Surgery?

Combined aesthetic procedures can be preferred when there are multiple aesthetic issues. Breast lift surgery can be combined with breast implants or breast reduction surgery, depending on the situation.