Mastopexy (Breast Lift Surgery)
Mastopexy is an operation designed to lift the breasts. Sagging of the breasts is caused by various factors. As a woman ages, her breasts tend to sag as they lose volume and under the powerful effect of gravity. Childbirth and breastfeeding, as well as weight loss, can also have a significant impact on the shape of breasts.
While sagging breasts have an aesthetic aspect that many patients wish to address, there are also functional issues with having sagging breasts. Sagging can cause strain on the back, shoulders, and neck similar to what women with large breasts suffer.
Dr. Darrell Perkins is an experienced Plastic Surgeon who provides breast lift surgery to patients from Sydney and all across New South Wales. He utilizes a variety of techniques, based on the individual patients’ specific anatomical circumstances, married against the end result that the patient is trying to achieve.
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Overview
No significant volume is actually removed from the breast during breast lift surgery. Excess loose skin is removed and the glandular tissue is rearranged to lift and tighten the breasts.
Breast lift surgery repositions the breast but does not significantly alter the size of the breast or round out the upper part of the breast. If the addition of volume to the breast is also required, breast implants can be added at the time of the breast lift or during a later breast augmentation operation.
Careful consideration must be given as to the particular circumstances of the patient and what appropriate solution is required in that circumstance. Dr. Perkins can help patients decide which breast lift options are best for them with a consultation at our practice. Please contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.
The Surgery
Most breast lift operations can be done as day-only procedures under a general anaesthetic. The surgery usually takes 1.5 – 2.5 hours.
Patients can stay in hospital if they desire, but this is usually not necessary.
In general terms, the breast tissue is not interfered with, although there may be some rearranging of glandular tissue to improve the shape of the breast during the procedure.
Recovery
Upon completion of the surgery patients are placed in a compression bandage. The bandage is generally removed two days post-operatively when the patient is then placed in a crop top.
Surgical drains may or may not be required after the procedure. If they are required, they are usually removed within a day or two following the breast lift operation.
Once recovered and ready for discharge, post-operative instructions covering wound care, medications and follow up appointment will be given.
It is essential that a responsible adult collect the patient and stay with them for the first 24 hours following the surgery.
Bruising and swelling are normal following the surgery and will subside over the first few weeks.
As the operation usually involves only incision of the skin and possibly gland (no muscle), it is generally not a particularly painful operation.
Patients will be able to carry out most normal non-strenuous activities around the house in 2 – 4 days, and many patients will return to work if they have a desk job after 1 or 2 weeks. Patients are usually able to drive a car a week or so after their surgery.
Risks
Even with the highest standards of practice, all surgical procedures carry a level of risk and the potential for complications. In addition, every individual will have a different risk profile depending on their general health, age and the complexity of the procedure.
During the consultation Dr Perkins will explain the possible complications and risks of the specific procedure to provide the necessary information to enable patients to weigh up the benefits, risks and limitations of the surgery. The following are some of the risks associated with this procedure.
General risks involved in any surgery include post-operative infection, excessive bleeding, pain/discomfort, haematoma (blood collection), seroma (fluid collection), adverse reaction to anaesthetic.
Specific risks include asymmetry, change or loss of sensation in nipple/areola, loss of nipple/areola tissue, hypertrophic or keloid scarring, lumpiness due to fat necrosis.
Mastopexy and Breast Cancer
In general circumstances, breast lift surgery does not interfere with the glandular breast tissue. As such, there should be no alteration in the ability to detect, diagnose or manage breast cancer. Under ordinary circumstances, as a matter of course, screening mammography should be performed as appropriate for a woman’s age and risk factors.
Breastfeeding after Breast Uplift
Since the glandular tissue is not generally interfered with during breast lift surgery and all of the glandular tissue remains attached to the nipple/areola, we generally expect that there will be minimal to no change in a woman’s ability to breastfeed following a breast lift operation at our practice.
Dr Darrell Perkins has significant experience with a variety of different techniques that can be applied to minimise any potential effect on breast feeding in the future.
Costs
Under the Medicare scheme in Australia, there are very specific criteria that need to be satisfied to have Medicare item numbers applied to breast lift surgery. These criteria include two thirds of the breast volume being below the inframammary fold (fold under the breast).
An assessment of the criteria, including taking clinical photographs necessary to support a claim, will occur at the time of the breast lift consultation at our Sydney practice.
If these criteria are met, the operation is considered reconstructive surgery. If the patient is in a private health fund with appropriate cover, a proportion of the costs will then be rebated by Medicare and the health fund.
If the criteria is not met, the surgery is classified as cosmetic and as such no Medicare or private health fund rebates apply for the medical or day surgery fees.
An estimate of costs will be provided following the consultation with Dr Perkins.