Uplift (Mastopexy)

This is suitable for women who feel that their breast shape has changed over the years, frequently as a result of breast feeding or weight fluctuations. Some of the hallmarks include, droopiness of the breast gland, excess skin and a change in the position and shape of the nipple. There are also women, whose breasts and nipple position have not formed in a conventional way during development, who would also benefit from this procedure. As a general rule, a youthful nipple should be at the most projected part of a woman’s breast and a mastopexy aims to improve the overall shape, by repositioning the nipple areolar complex (NAC) and breast gland to a more youthful position. This involves putting scars on the breasts, which are typically shaped like a lollipop or an inverted T pattern. Although there are many different mastopexy methods, the one I favour is the auto-augmentation technique and on patient request, I usually combined it with fat transfer to the cleavage and upper pole areas for a fuller more enhanced result. For selected cases, I will use a slowly absorbable mesh, which supports the gland in its new position whilst it is healing in its new shape

With my gland repositioning auto-augmentation technique, the results should be natural and long lasting. In heavy breasts however, there is always the risk of bottoming out with gravity and the need for future revisional surgery. For some patients a small breast reduction and lift might be the more appropriate treatment of choice. An absorbable internal mesh might also be required to support the gland in its new position, for a longer lasting result, but this is not my common practice. Other factors that can affect the final outcome are excessive weight fluctuations, aging and pregnancy, so the surgery should be timed appropriately.

A mastopexy can take up to 2.5 hours and if it is combined with fat grafting this will be slightly longer.

As with any surgery, there is an element of ache and mild discomfort. On the whole, patients having mastopexy with additional fat grafting have a little more discomfort than those with mastopexy alone. Local anaesthesia given during the surgery, combined with oral analgesia afterwards, should keep you very comfortable during your recovery.

I do not routinely use drains after mastopexy surgery.

A surgical bra following mastopexy provides support and comfort and depending where your surgery takes place, this will either be provided for you (Spire Clare Park), or one will be recommended to you for purchase. It is recommended that this is worn day and night for six weeks following surgery. However, a supportive sports bra is also equally as good.

Recovery takes between one to two weeks. Incisions are generally healed within a week to ten days. As a general rule, you should avoid any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for six weeks after surgery. You are of course encouraged to move as normal, to minimise the risk of chest infections and leg clots. The final results including scar appearance are usually evident once all the swelling has subsided and this can take up to 12 months. Using a single layer of the provided micropore tape on the scars for 6 – 12 weeks, will give the best results possible. If this is not tolerated, scar surgical massage is a good alternative, starting after the first 3 weeks, when the wounds have fully healed. Scars should not be exposed to direct sunlight without the application of a high SPF cream for about a year and products such as Cicaplast contain both silicone and SPF block. There are however other alternatives. A post-operative surgical or sports bra should be worn at all times for 6 weeks.

Some of the general risks include discomfort, risk of poor scarring, risk of infection (1%), altered nipple sensation or loss, risk of bleeding, bottoming out, need for revision surgery, degrees of asymmetry, loss of the ability to breast feed and delayed wound healing. Your nipple sensation may decrease, increase (hypersensitivity), or lost completely (including erotic sensation) and this might be different between the two sides. This can improve over time as the nerves recover, but it is difficult to predict and it is not guaranteed. The nipple remains attached to part of the breast gland when moved to its new position. This is to preserve its blood supply, keep it alive and ensure healing. There is however the very rare risk that the nipple does not survive this transfer, leading to nipple necrosis. This is much more common in smokers and I encourage smokers to stop a month before and after this surgery. I will generally not perform a mastopexy or any other breast cosmetic procedures on active smokers. Lastly like in all surgery, there are no guarantees for a perfect outcome.