Mastopexy or Breast Lift Procedure – What is Involved?

Breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is plastic surgery to lift sagging breasts. As women age, the tissue that holds the breasts in place becomes lax and the breasts begin to hang lower. Younger women may also have saggy breasts after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Although a breast lift will restore your breasts to their original position, it will not replace lost volume. To restore lost volume, you may want to consider a combination breast lift with augmentation.

During breast lift surgery, an incision is made around your areola. Excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin is tightened as your plastic surgeon closes the incisions. During a breast lift with implants, your breast implants will be inserted before the incision is closed to complete your combination breast lift and augmentation.

Mastopexy recovery can take several weeks. You should be able to go back to work about a week after breast lift surgery, but you’ll have some bruising and swelling for the first few weeks.  Wearing a good compression support bra is essential for good results after surgery.  Most women are concerned about scarring after surgery so scar gels and creams are also a good idea.

You’ll need to wear a breast lift bra for the first few weeks after mastopoexy.

Breast lift scars are permanent, but will eventually fade.

The dreaded pregnancy weight. Now that you’ve had your baby, you’re probably wondering how to rid yourself of those excess pounds. Most likely, you’ve already tried crunches, sit-ups, and all those other abdominal exercises that are part of the post-pregnancy workout.

Postpartum support, such as a post-natal girdle, is key to firming your body and tightening that postpartum belly. A postpartum compression girdle or a postpartum support belt will also help reduce or eliminate stretch marks.

If diet, exercise, and postpartum compression aren’t enough to get your body back into shape, you may want to consider a mommy makeover. A mommy makeover, also known as body sculpting, is plastic surgery to help restore your body to its pre-pregnancy shape. Your postpartum cosmetic surgery options include tummy tuck, liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lift, or a combination of procedures.

No matter which surgery you choose, you’ll want to wear a compression garment during your plastic surgery recovery. There are a variety of tummy tuck support garments, liposuction support garments, and breast surgery support garments to choose from.

More and more women are considering breast lift surgery

Breast lift surgery is a procedure to correct breasts that are pendulous or lack firmness. This type of surgery can also be used in cases where the nipples point downward or are positioned below the crease of the breast. Unlike breast reduction or breast augmentation procedures, a breast lift generally does not affect the overall size of the breast. In addition, breast lift surgery does not affect the nipples and milk ducts, so women can continue to breast feed in a normal manner after the procedure.

Breast lift surgery usually consists of three incisions per breast. The first is made around the areola, the second runs vertically from the nipple to the breast crease and the third is beneath the breast and matches the natural curve in a horizontal manner. The nipple and areola is then shifted to a higher position and the skin is reshaped.

Breast lift surgery can include many variations depending on breast size, as well as on the shape and size of the areolas. Newer techniques may exclude the third horizontal incision for a less invasive procedure. Some patients may also choose to augment their breasts with an implant at this time.

It is also recommended to wear a post surgical bra immediately following the surgery.  Your doctor should fit you with the breast lift compression bra before leaving the office or the clinic.  With the new size and shape of your breast, you should consider a breast augmentation or breast lift bra to help maintain their shape.

Second Stage Garments by ContourMD

If you are planning a plastic surgery procedure, you’ll need to invest in a compression garment. Compression garments, also known as plastic surgery recovery garments or post-surgical garments, improve circulation, help rid the body of potentially harmful fluids, reduce swelling, and decrease plastic surgery recovery time.

Immediately after your surgery, you’ll need a first stage recovery garment. The type of compression garment you need will depend on your type of surgery. If you are undergoing a breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast reconstruction, breast lift, or arm lift, you’ll need a compression vest or a post-surgical bra. For liposuction or a tummy tuck, you’ll want to purchase an abdominal binder, a compression girdle, or a body shaper. Facial compression wraps are recommended for facelift surgery.

A few weeks after your plastic surgery, your plastic surgeon may tell you to switch to a second stage compression garment. Second stage recovery garments are less bulky than first stage recovery garments. But don’t let the lightweight material fool you. Second stage recovery garments still provide compression, which increases circulation and helps the body heal.

Because second stage recovery garments are less restrictive than first stage compression garments, they can easily be worn undetected underneath everyday clothing. Second stage recovery garments come in a variety of styles. Mid-thigh girdles and mid-calf girdles fit well under shorts, capris, or skirts. Since they are lightweight, they are a good choice during the hot summer. Ankle body garments may be more comfortable under slacks and can add an extra layer of warmth during the cold winter months.

Whether you need a first stage compression garment or a second stage recovery garment, keep in mind that plastic surgery recovery can last several weeks, so it a good idea to have more than one post-surgical recovery garment on hand.