Breast Lift Surgery: The Process and What to Pay Attention To

Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) is one of the aesthetic operations sought by women who are not satisfied with the shape of their breasts. Breasts can sag because of age, pregnancy and breastfeeding, sudden weight changes and genetic predisposition. As sagging progresses, the nipple can drop to the level of the fold under the breast, or even below it. In breast lift surgery, the breast tissue is lifted, the nipple is moved to a higher position and the breast is reshaped.

A breast lift does not increase breast volume on its own. If the breasts are small, an implant can be placed together with the lift; if the breasts are large, excess tissue can be removed and the lift can be combined with a breast reduction. The doctor decides which method is suitable after an examination; discussing your expectations openly with your doctor is important for proper planning.

Who Can Have Breast Lift Surgery?

Breast lift surgery usually comes into consideration in the following situations:

Sagging or loss of fullness in the breasts after pregnancy and breastfeeding,
Sagging due to sudden or significant weight changes,
Sagging due to the loss of skin elasticity with age,
A difference in sagging between the two breasts.

It should be borne in mind that the breasts may partly recover for some time after breastfeeding; for this reason, the timing of the operation is decided together with the doctor. The operation is performed on people aged 18 or over whose general health is suitable. It is not performed during pregnancy or breastfeeding; health problems such as uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure can prevent surgery. Having realistic expectations about the result is also important.

Preparation Before Surgery

Before the operation, your general health is assessed and the necessary tests are requested. You should tell your doctor about the medicines and supplements you take; blood-thinning medicines and some herbal products may need to be stopped a certain time beforehand, as specified by the doctor. Because smoking has a negative effect on wound healing, you should not smoke before or after the operation.

How Is Breast Lift Surgery Performed?

A breast lift is performed under general anaesthesia and usually takes 1–3 hours; additional procedures such as placing an implant or removing tissue can make it longer. The type of incision is determined by the degree of sagging: with mild sagging, an incision around the nipple may be enough; with moderate sagging, a vertical incision is added; with advanced sagging, an inverted T technique combined with an incision in the fold under the breast may be preferred.

After the operation, the patient usually stays in hospital for one day; the stay may be longer if the doctor considers it necessary. The breasts take on their final shape within a few months.

What to Pay Attention to After Surgery

Following your doctor's recommendations during recovery helps preserve the result. The main points to pay attention to are:

Wear the support bra or compression garment recommended by your doctor for the recommended period.
If drains were used, your doctor will decide when they are removed.
Ask your doctor when you can take your first shower; this is usually allowed after a few days.
Take the medicines recommended by your doctor for pain; do not take other medicines without consulting your doctor.
It may usually be necessary to wait 1–2 weeks before returning to light work; a full return to daily life often takes 4–6 weeks.
During this time, avoid heavy lifting and exercises that strain the chest muscles; your doctor will decide when you can return to sport.
Sleeping on your back is recommended in the first weeks.
Stay away from very hot environments such as the sauna and Turkish bath for the period your doctor recommends.
Do not miss your check-ups.

Bruising, swelling and mild pain are normal after the operation and usually decrease within days. If your pain increases markedly, or if you notice a high fever, shivering, or increasing redness, swelling or discharge in the breast, you should contact your doctor without delay.

Risks and Frequently Asked Questions

Like any surgical procedure, a breast lift carries risks: these include bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, scarring, some asymmetry and changes in sensation in the nipple or breast skin. If bleeding occurs, an additional procedure may be needed. Changes in sensation are mostly temporary; rarely, they can be permanent.

A breast lift leaves scars; how noticeable they are depends on the degree of sagging and the technique used. The scars fade over time and become less noticeable.

Breastfeeding is often possible after the operation; however, it can be affected depending on the amount of tissue removed and the technique. If you plan pregnancy and breastfeeding in the future, you should discuss this with your doctor before the operation.

A breast lift is not expected to cause breast cancer. You should continue the breast screening appropriate for your age and personal risk as recommended by your doctor and mention that you have had surgery when you have tests.

What Can Be Done to Maintain the Result?

The result of a breast lift can be maintained for a long time; however, ageing, pregnancy and weight changes can lead to renewed sagging over time. For this reason, if you are planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the timing of the operation with your doctor and take care to maintain your weight after the operation. Once the support bra period is over, choosing a comfortable, well-fitting bra, wearing a supportive bra during sport and protecting the scars from the sun are recommended. For more details, you can read our article Is a Breast Lift a Permanent Operation?

Is a Non-Surgical Breast Lift Possible?

Breast sagging cannot be permanently corrected with non-surgical methods. Exercises that work the chest muscles and choosing the right bra can support the appearance of the chest area; avoiding frequent weight gain and loss also helps preserve the breast structure. However, existing sagging cannot be eliminated with these methods. Complications such as infection, migration of the gel and lump formation have been reported with gel fillers injected into the breast.

If your current breast shape does not meet your expectations, you can consult a plastic surgeon to assess the suitable method. The doctor will inform you about the surgical process and the result that can be expected, and will assess whether your health is suitable for surgery.

Author: Op. Dr. Yücel Sarıaltın