Mastopexy: Reaffirming and Reshaping the Breasts

Objective: To firm and reshape the breasts

Treatment time: 2 to 4 hours

Recovery: 4 to 6 weeks

Mastopexy, or breast lift, is a surgical procedure that aims to reaffirm and reshape the breasts, raising them to a more youthful and aesthetically pleasing position.

Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight fluctuations and natural ageing can lead to a loss of elasticity in the skin and breast tissue, resulting in sagging breasts.

Mastopexy has emerged as a solution to restore the firmness and silhouette of the breasts, giving many women back confidence and satisfaction with their body image.

The Advantages of Mastopexy

It puts the breasts back in a higher, firmer position on the chest.

Provides a more rounded and aesthetic appearance.

Place them in a more central position that suits the new shape of the breast.

If it is enlarged due to sagging.

Very saggy breasts can cause pain in the neck, shoulders and back, as well as irritation of the skin below the breast crease.

Improving the appearance of the breasts reflects positively on a woman’s self-image.

Who Can Benefit from Mastopexy?

If you’re wondering whether mastopexy is right for you, consider the following points:

01. Have your breasts lost firmness and elasticity?

02. Do your nipples and areolas point downwards or are they below the breast fold?

03. Are your areolas excessively stretched or enlarged?

04. Is one breast significantly droopier than the other?

05. Do you feel physical or psychological discomfort due to sagging breasts?

If the answer to one or more of these questions is “yes”, you will probably benefit greatly from a mastopexy.

Take the first step towards feeling better, with a plan designed for you and natural, long-lasting results.

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What to Expect from Treatment

It usually lasts between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the complexity of the case and whether it will be combined with other procedures.

Mastopexy is performed under general anesthesia, ensuring the patient’s comfort and safety throughout the procedure.

The incisions depend on the degree of sagging and the volume to be removed. The most common techniques include:

    • Periareolar incision: Only around the areola, for cases of minimal sagging.
    • Vertical incision: Around the areola and a vertical line to the breast crease, for moderate sagging.
    • Inverted “T” or anchor incision: Around the areola, vertical and a horizontal line along the breast crease, for cases of more pronounced sagging and/or large volume.
    • The choice of incision will be discussed in consultation to ensure the best aesthetic result and the least visible scars.

During the surgery, excess skin is removed, the breast tissues are repositioned and reshaped, and the nipple-areola complex is elevated to a more suitable position. The specific technique will be adapted to the anatomical characteristics and objectives of each patient.

  • Immediate post-operative period: It is normal to experience some discomfort, swelling and bruising in the first few weeks. The pain is usually manageable with prescribed painkillers.
  • Scar care: The scars will be reddish and raised initially, but tend to lighten and flatten over time. Specific instructions will be given on how to care for the scars to optimize their appearance.
  • Surgical bra: A compression bra should be worn for several weeks to help reduce swelling and support the breasts.
  • Stitches: Stitches are usually removed in the first or second week, or may be absorbable.

Most patients are able to resume light daily activities after 1 to 2 weeks. More strenuous activities, such as intense physical exercise, should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks. Complete recovery time varies from patient to patient.

The initial result is visible immediately after surgery, but the final result, with resolution of the swelling and maturation of the scars, will be achieved after 3 to 6 months. The scars will continue to improve beyond this period, becoming increasingly camouflaged in the surrounding structures.

Mastopexy provides long-lasting results, however, the natural aging process, future pregnancies and large weight fluctuations can influence the longevity of the results. Maintaining a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle will help keep your breasts high and firm for longer.

  • Smoking: Smoking patients should stop smoking at least 4 to 6 weeks before surgery and during the recovery period. Smoking compromises healing and increases the risk of complications.
  • Medication: It is crucial to inform the surgeon of all the medicines, supplements and vitamins you are taking, as some may need to be stopped before surgery.
  • Realistic expectations: It is essential to have realistic expectations about the results of the surgery. The aim is to improve the shape and position of the breasts, not to achieve perfection.

It usually lasts between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the complexity of the case and whether it will be combined with other procedures.

Mastopexy is performed under general anesthesia, ensuring the patient’s comfort and safety throughout the procedure.

The incisions depend on the degree of sagging and the volume to be removed. The most common techniques include:

    • Periareolar incision: Only around the areola, for cases of minimal sagging.
    • Vertical incision: Around the areola and a vertical line to the breast crease, for moderate sagging.
    • Inverted “T” or anchor incision: Around the areola, vertical and a horizontal line along the breast crease, for cases of more pronounced sagging and/or large volume.
    • The choice of incision will be discussed in consultation to ensure the best aesthetic result and the least visible scars.

During the surgery, excess skin is removed, the breast tissues are repositioned and reshaped, and the nipple-areola complex is elevated to a more suitable position. The specific technique will be adapted to the anatomical characteristics and objectives of each patient.

  • Immediate post-operative period: It is normal to experience some discomfort, swelling and bruising in the first few weeks. The pain is usually manageable with prescribed painkillers.
  • Scar care: The scars will be reddish and raised initially, but tend to lighten and flatten over time. Specific instructions will be given on how to care for the scars to optimize their appearance.
  • Surgical bra: A compression bra should be worn for several weeks to help reduce swelling and support the breasts.
  • Stitches: Stitches are usually removed in the first or second week, or may be absorbable.

Most patients are able to resume light daily activities after 1 to 2 weeks. More strenuous activities, such as intense physical exercise, should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks. Complete recovery time varies from patient to patient.

The initial result is visible immediately after surgery, but the final result, with resolution of the swelling and maturation of the scars, will be achieved after 3 to 6 months. The scars will continue to improve beyond this period, becoming increasingly camouflaged in the surrounding structures.

Mastopexy provides long-lasting results, however, the natural aging process, future pregnancies and large variations in weight can influence the longevity of the results.

Maintaining a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle will help keep your breasts high and firm for longer.

  • Smoking: Smoking patients should stop smoking at least 4 to 6 weeks before surgery and during the recovery period. Smoking compromises healing and increases the risk of complications.
  • Medication: It is crucial to inform the surgeon of all the medicines, supplements and vitamins you are taking, as some may need to be stopped before surgery.
  • Realistic expectations: It is essential to have realistic expectations about the results of the surgery. The aim is to improve the shape and position of the breasts, not to achieve perfection.

Frequently Asked Questions

All the answers are carefully explained so that you always feel confident.

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In most cases, mastopexy does not prevent future breastfeeding. However, it is important to discuss your breastfeeding plans with your surgeon, as some techniques may have an impact on your ability to breastfeed.

They are the same procedure, just with different names. Both terms refer to surgery that aims to lift and reshape sagging breasts.

If you would like to restore the firmness and natural beauty of your breasts and would like to know more about this surgery, we would be delighted to welcome you to the Amado Clinic.

Very often, mastopexy is combined with other procedures to optimize the result and address other aesthetic breast concerns, taking advantage of the same surgical and recovery time. The most common examples include:

  • Placement of breast implants: In cases where there is a significant loss of breast volume, mastopexy can be combined with the placement of implants to restore fullness and projection to the breasts, as well as elevating them.
  • Abdominoplasty: Abdominal sagging often goes hand in hand with breast sagging after pregnancy, after major weight loss, or due to the natural aging process.
  • Liposuction: Many patients use the same surgery to shape their figure.