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Sagging or ptotic breasts occur with age, pregnancy, and weight fluctuations, but can be improved with a breast lift, or mastopexy. In the case of mild ptosis or deflation hypomastia, a breast implant alone may correct the deformity. Moderate ptosis can be corrected by excision of skin in a doughnut fashion around the areola. More severe sag will require a vertical scar or anchor shaped scar below the nipple to tighten the loose breast around the elevated nipple. Preoperative evaluation with physical exam, mammogram, or ultrasound will be performed prior to surgery to rule out cancer and all pregnancies should be completed prior to mastopexy.
The operation will last 1.5 to 3 hours under general anesthesia or deep sedation typically as an outpatient. For a few days, the breasts will be tender, bruised, and swollen, but pain will resolve over several days and can be easily treated with prescribed medication. A support or sports bra is helpful. Swelling will resolve over weeks to months, light activity can be resumed immediately and strenuous activity at 4 to 6 weeks. The risks of mastopexy include recurrent sag, enlarged areola, poor scarring, infection, bleeding, asymmetry, alterred nipple sensation, and wound healing problems.
All of the descriptions for the various procedures are condensed from the text of the upcoming textbook written by Dr. Christopher Park and Dr. Malcolm Marks and are copyrighted, "The Artistry of Plastic Surgery: Exploring the Experience” . |
