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Breast lift is commonly performed at plastic surgicentre in Doha, Qatar.
Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, nursing, and
the force of gravity take their toll on a woman's breasts. As the skin
loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness
and begin to sag. Breast lift, or mastopexy,
is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts - at
least, for a time. (No surgery can permanently delay the effects of
gravity.) Mastopexy can also reduce the size
of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts
are small or have lost volume - for example, after pregnancy-breast
implants inserted in conjunction with mastopexy
can increase both their firmness and their size. If you're considering
a breast lift, the following information will give you a basic
understanding of the procedure - when it can help, how it's performed,
and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions,
since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to
ask your doctor if there is any thing about
the procedure you don't understand.
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Over time, a woman's breasts begin to sag and the areolas become
larger.
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The best candidates for breast lift
A breast lift can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but
it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause
other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have
surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with
your surgeon.
The best candidates for mastopexy are
healthy, emotionally stable women who are realistic about what the
surgery can accomplish. The best results are usually achieved in women
with small, sagging breasts. Breasts of any size can be lifted, but the
results may not last as long in heavy breasts.
Many women seek mastopexy because pregnancy
and nursing have left them with stretched skin and less volume in their
breasts. However, if you're planning to have more children, it may be a
good idea to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special
risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy
usually doesn't interfere with breast-feeding), pregnancy is likely to
stretch your breasts again and offset the results of the procedure.
All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk
A breast lift is not a simple operation, but it's normally safe when
performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. Nevertheless, as with any
surgery, there is always a possibility of complications or a reaction
to the anesthesia. Bleeding and infection following a breast lift are
uncommon, but they can cause scars to widen. You can reduce your risks
by closely following your physician's advice both before and after surgery.
Mastopexy does leave noticeable, permanent
scars, although they'll be covered by your bra or bathing suit. (Poor
healing and wider scars are more common in smokers.) The procedure can
also leave you with unevenly positioned nipples, or a permanent loss of
feeling in your nipples or breasts.
Planning your surgery
In your initial consultation, it's important to discuss your
expectations frankly with your surgeon, and to listen to his or her
opinion. Every patient - and every physician, as well - has a different
view of what is a desirable size and shape for breasts.
The surgeon will examine your breasts and measure them while you're
sitting or standing. He or she will discuss the variables that may
affect the procedure-such as your age, the size and shape of your
breasts, and the condition of your skin-and whether an implant is
advisable. You should also discuss where the nipple and areola will be
positioned; they'll be moved higher during the procedure, and should be
approximately even with the crease beneath your breast.
Your surgeon should describe the procedure in detail, explaining its
risks and limitations and making sure you understand the scarring that
will result. He or she should also explain the anesthesia to be used,
the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs
involved.
Don't hesitate to ask your doctor any questions you may have,
especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the
results.
Preparing for your surgery
Depending on your age and family history, your surgeon may require you
to have a mammogram (breast x-ray) before surgery. You'll also get
specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including
guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain
vitamins and medications.
While you're making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to
drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days if
needed.
Where your surgery will be performed
Your breast lift may be performed in a hospital, an outpatient surgery
center, or a surgeon's office-based facility. It's usually done on an
outpatient basis, for cost containment and convenience. If you're
admitted to the hospital as an inpatient, you can expect to stay one or
two days.
Types of anesthesia
Breast lifts are usually performed under general anesthesia, which
means you'll sleep through the operation.
In selected patients - particularly when a smaller incision is being
made - the surgeon may use local anesthesia, combined with a sedative
to make you drowsy. You'll be awake but relaxed, and will feel minimal
discomfort.
The surgery
Mastopexy usually takes one and a half to
three and a half hours. Techniques vary, but the most common procedure
involves an anchor-shaped incision following the natural contour of the
breast.
The incision outlines the area from which breast skin will be removed
and defines the new location for the nipple. When the excess skin has
been removed, the nipple and areola are moved to the higher position.
The skin surrounding the areola is then brought down and together to
reshape the breast. Stitches are usually located around the areola, and
in a vertical line extending downwards from the nipple area.
Skin formerly located above the nipple is brought down and together to
reshape the breast. Sutures close the incisions, giving the breast it's new contour.
Some patients, especially those with relatively small breasts and
minimal sagging, may be candidates for modified procedures requiring less
extensive incisions. One such procedure is the "doughnut (or
concentric) mastopexy," in which
circular incisions are made around the areola, and a doughnut-shaped
area of skin is removed.
If you're having an implant inserted along with your breast lift, it
will be placed in a pocket directly under the breast tissue, or deeper,
under the muscle of the chest wall.
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Skin formerly located above the nipple is brought down and together
to reshape the breast. Sutures close the incisions, giving the breast
it's new contour
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After your surgery
After surgery, you'll wear an elastic bandage or a surgical bra over
gauze dressings. Your breasts will be bruised, swollen, and
uncomfortable for a day or two, but the pain shouldn't be severe. Any
discomfort you do feel can be relieved with medications prescribed by
your surgeon.
Within a few days, the bandages or surgical bra will be replaced by a
soft support bra. You'll need to wear this bra around the clock for
three to four weeks, over a layer of gauze. The stitches will be
removed after a week or two.
If your breast skin is very dry following surgery, you can apply a
moisturizer several times a day. Be careful not to tug at your skin in
the process, and keep the moisturizer away from the suture areas. You
can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and breast skin, caused
by the swelling after surgery. This numbness usually fades as the
swelling subsides over the next six weeks or so. In some patients,
however, it may last a year or more, and occasionally it may be permanent.
Getting back to normal
Healing is a gradual process. Although you may be up and about in a day
or two, don't plan on returning to work for a week or more, depending
on how you feel. And avoid lifting anything over your head for three to
four weeks. If you have any unusual symptoms, don't hesitate to call
your surgeon.
Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions for resuming your
normal activities. You may be instructed to avoid sex for a week or
more, and to avoid strenuous sports for about a month. After that, you
can resume these activities slowly. If you become pregnant, the
operation should not affect your ability to breast-feed, since your
milk ducts and nipples will be left intact.
Your new look
Your surgeon will make every effort to make your scars
as inconspicuous as possible. Still, it's important to remember that mastopexy scars are extensive and permanent. They
often remain lumpy and red for months, then
gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually fading to thin
white lines. Fortunately, the scars can usually be placed so that you
can wear even low-cut tops.
You should also keep in mind that a breast lift won't keep you firm
forever-the effects of gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight
fluctuations will eventually take their toll again. Women who have
implants along with their breast lift may find the results last longer.
Your satisfaction with a breast lift is likely to be greater if you
understand the procedure thoroughly and if your expectations are
realistic.
The information on this web site is only intended as an
introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine
whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the
result.
The best method of determining your personal options is to schedule a
personal consultation with Dr. Makki. He will be able to answer
specific questions related to your situation.
Please don't hesitate to call for any questions that you might have
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