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. Mastopexy, or breast lift, is performed for women who have sagging breasts with loose skin envelopes. It rejuvenates or enhances the breast shape and size to a more youthful appearance. This is done either with excision of breast tissue alone and/or with insertion of a breast implant, depending on the degree of breast tissue laxity and volume. Mastopexy does leave noticeable permanent scars although these will be covered by bathing suits or clothing. The procedure can also leave patient with uneven positioned nipples, or a permanent loss of sensation in the nipples or breasts. Your surgeon should be able to describe the procedure to you in detail, explaining its risks and limitations and making sure you understand the scarring that will result. This is usually done under general anesthesia, with the patient confined for a few days in the hospital. There could be some swelling immediately after the operation, but it usually subsides after several weeks. Sutures are removed on the seventh or tenth day after the procedure.

After Surgery:
After the procedure, patients will have pressure dressing or garment at the treated area to help control the swelling. Patients are advised that there will be swelling, tightness, minimal pain or discomfort and numbness. However, these conditions are transient and resolve spontaneously during the next several weeks.

For Better Healing:
To improve healing and minimize swelling, patients are advise to avoid the following for 2 to 3 weeks : smoking, alcoholic beverages, aspirin, NSAID’s like mefenamic acids, vitamin E supplement, steroids, herbal tea or herbal medications.