A  breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts and to lift the nipples back into a normal position.  As a woman ages, skin loses its elasticity which can cause the breasts to lose their natural shape and firmness.  With more and more sagging, the nipples gradually move downward from their normal position to near the bottom of the breast.  The breast lift procedure is designed to reverse this process to elevate the breasts and nipples and give them a more youthful appearance.  When a woman needs to have her breasts lifted and enlarged, then a breast lift may also be combined with breast augmentation surgery.

Reasons for Considering a Breast Lift:

• Elevate the breasts due to sagging caused by the effects of aging and gravity.
• Firm the breasts if they have lost substance due to pregnancy and subsequent breast-feeding.
• Restore breast shape and projection after weight loss.

General Procedure

The breast lift and augmentation procedure usually takes 2.5 to 3 hours and involves making several skin incisions to remove excess sagging skin and tighten the remaining breast.  After the extra skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved into a higher position.  Dr. Gupta leaves the nipple attached to the underlying breast tissue at all times so you won't have numbness after surgery.  The breast implant is then placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue or under the muscle before the breast lift incisions are closed.  The remaining breast skin is then brought together to reshape the breast and give better projection.

Recovery Process

Generally, post-operative instructions call for rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and minimize postoperative discomfort.  Bandages are applied right after surgery to aid the healing process and to minimize movement of the breasts, which minimizes swelling and bruising. Once the bandages are removed, a specialized surgical bra will need to be worn for several weeks until the breasts are completely healed.  It is normal to experience some pain for a few days following breast lift and augmentation surgery.  Dr. Gupta will give you a prescription for pain killers to treat this pain.  While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following Dr. Gupta's postoperative directions and instructions.