Mastopexy is plastic surgery on the breasts indicated to correct sagging breasts and reposition the nipples, leaving the breasts with a more harmonious appearance, and can be done with or without the placement of a breast prosthesis.
This surgery, also known as a breast lift, is performed by a plastic surgeon, in aesthetic clinics or hospitals, and recovery usually takes around 2 to 12 months for the breasts to de-swell and reach their final shape.
Furthermore, in the first weeks after mastopexy, some precautions are important for recovery and must be carried out with the doctor’s guidance, such as avoiding physical exertion, lifting or carrying weights, in addition to using the modeling bra recommended by the doctor.
When is it indicated
Mastopexy is recommended to correct sagging breasts, which occurs mainly due to the aging of the body, in which the breasts can lose firmness and elasticity, changing their shape and becoming more droopy.
Therefore, mastopexy can be performed when the breasts have certain characteristics, such as:
- Saggy and volumeless breasts;
- Longer breasts;
- Dropped nipples, positioned below the folds of the breast;
- Nipples pointing downwards;
- Areolas disproportionate to the size of the breast;
- One breast more saggy than the other.
Some factors can contribute to sagging breasts, such as genetics, weight changes, such as weight loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause, for example.
This surgery aims to make the breasts more harmonious, removing excess skin, remodeling the breasts, and leaving them with a firmer, rounded and more harmonious appearance.
Mastopexy with prosthesis
Mastopexy with prosthesis is recommended when a woman wishes to increase the size of her breasts, creating a fuller silhouette. However, if it is necessary to place a very large silicone implant, breast augmentation surgery must be carried out up to 3 months before the mastopexy, to ensure that the weight of the breasts does not affect the final result.
How to prepare for surgery
Some precautions are important to prepare for mastopexy surgery, such as:
- Clarify all doubts about the surgery with the surgeonrecovery and expectations;
- Report all medicationsvitamins and nutritional supplements that you take frequently, as some can affect recovery;
- Stop using anti-inflammatoriesmainly with acetyl salicylic acid, anti-rheumatic drugs, metabolism accelerators, such as amphetamines, weight loss formulas or vitamin E up to 2 weeks before surgery, as per medical advice;
- Inform if you have any allergies or other health problem;
- Do not smokeat least 4 weeks before surgery;
- Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages at least the day before surgery;
- Absolute fasting at least 8 hours before surgery, as per medical advice.
In addition, before undergoing surgery, you must also undergo all the tests requested by your doctor, such as mammography and surgical risk, to assess your general health status and the risk of complications.
To plan mastopexy, the doctor must carry out a physical examination of the breasts, assessing the degree of sagging, the position of the nipples and the appearance of the skin, for example, and photos of the breasts may be taken to keep the before and after surgery documented. .
How mastopexy is performed
Mastopexy is performed by a plastic surgeon in the hospital or in specialized clinics, using general anesthesia. Before starting the surgery, saline solution is administered into the vein by the nurse to hydrate and administer medications and also for the anesthetist to perform general anesthesia.
During mastopexy, the plastic surgeon makes a cut around the areolas, which extends from the bottom of the areola to the bottom of the breasts. This cut can be made using 3 different techniques:
- Peri areolar: it is only done in some cases, especially when it is not necessary to remove a large amount of skin;
- Peri areolar e vertical: it is done when the areola needs to rise, but it is not necessary to remove a lot of skin;
- T-inverted: It is used very frequently in cases where it is necessary to remove a large amount of skin.
After making the cut, the doctor removes excess skin, reshapes the breasts, repositions the areolas and closes the cuts with stitches, skin adhesives or surgical tape. Depending on the type of mastopexy, the surgeon may place the breast implant during the procedure.
Mastopexy scar
The mastopexy scar depends on how the cut was made:
- Peri-areolar cut: scarring may be noticed around the areola;
- Vertical peri-areolar cut: scarring may be noticed around the areola and below the breast;
- Inverted T-cut: You may notice a scar under the breast, which may be T-shaped.
The scar may become more discreet after about 1 year after surgery, and may become imperceptible, but it is important to take care of the scar to ensure adequate healing and reduce the risk of keloids, and the doctor may recommend the use of healing ointment. Check out some scar ointment options.
What is recovery like?
Recovery after mastopexy is usually quick and uneventful. However, it is normal to feel slight discomfort, a feeling of heaviness or changes in the sensitivity of the breasts due to anesthesia.
After surgery, women must take certain precautions, such as:
- Taking medicines at the right times as directed by the doctor;
- Avoid exertion on the day of surgerysuch as long walks or climbing stairs;
- Remain lying down with the head of the bed elevated at 30º or sitting within 24 hours after surgery;
- Avoid lying on your stomach or on the side with the operated breast supported in the first 30 days after surgery;
- Avoid sun exposure for 3 months after surgery;
- Wear a shaping brawithout seams, for 24 hours for 30 days after surgery and then for another 30 days, but only at night;
- Avoid large arm movementshow to lift or carry weights;
- Massage with your hands in the breasts at least 4 times a day;
- Eat a healthy dietpreferring vegetables, fruits and white meats;
- Avoid eating sweetsfried foods, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks.
The first result of the surgery can be seen within 1 month, but the woman can return to work within approximately 10 days after surgery, depending on the type of work. However, it is only 40 days after surgery that you can return to driving and doing light physical exercise, such as walking, for example.
Recovery from mastopexy can last around 2 to 12 months, as it is normal for the breast to be swollen after surgery, deflating and gaining its final shape after this period, which varies from woman to woman.
