Breasts can naturally develop skin laxity due to the natural ageing process or due to other factors such as dramatic weight loss. Breast lift, also called mastopexy, surgery is designed to remove excess skin and lift the breasts to the patient’s desired position, also repositioning the nipples and areola to suit the new shape, if necessary.
To minimise the chance of complications, breast lift mastopexy surgery can only be performed on suitable candidates. During your consultation, there are some questions you can ask your surgeon to determine if a breast lift mastopexy is the right procedure for you, which will help you feel properly informed about how your procedure will work.
What is involved in breast lift mastopexy surgery
Depending on individual patient needs, a breast lift mastopexy can involve removing excess skin, reshaping your breasts and repositioning your nipples and areola. It can be performed using a variety of incision techniques, such as the anchor, vertical (lollipop), or periareolar incision patterns.
The type of incision pattern, and details of your procedure such as amount of skin being removed will be highly personal and would need to be discussed during a consultation with your surgeon.
Candidates for breast lift mastopexy surgery
Breast lift mastopexy surgery can be a suitable choice for those who are concerned about breast ptosis, laxity, or unevenness.
Since a mastopexy can be quite an extensive surgical procedure, it is essential that we screen candidates beforehand to ensure that they are suitable for surgery.
Suitable candidates should be in good general and mental health, non-smokers, not currently pregnant or breastfeeding, and both willing and able to follow post-procedure instructions to support their recovery process. Candidates may also need to switch or pause certain medications, such as blood thinning medications, as these can raise the risk of complications occurring.
When it comes to determining whether or not you are in good health, we will also need to discuss your health history, and if you have any health conditions such as being prone to bleeding or clotting.
Before coming to any conclusions about whether or not you are a suitable candidate for a breast lift mastopexy, or any type of procedure, you should wait until you talk to your surgeon during a consultation. Your surgeon can ask the right questions and discuss your needs, to make recommendations backed by experience and offer you an appropriate treatment plan.
Good questions to ask your surgeon
During your consultation, it is a good idea to have a list of questions with you, so that you can get the information you need and feel like you have a good understanding of what will be involved with your procedure.
We recommend asking about the techniques your surgeon uses, particularly incision types, and which type your surgeon thinks will be a suitable choice for you. As well as giving you an understanding as to what will be done during your procedure, knowing your incision pattern will prepare you for where your initial scarring will be and what it will look like.
You should ask your surgeon about what you will need to do before and after your procedure to support your body and general health. You may need to follow some steps, such as switching medication, quitting smoking or avoiding alcohol before your procedure, along with some essential recovery instructions. Recovery will generally require you to take some time off from work to rest, avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting, wear a compression bra, and follow wound care instructions to keep your incisions clean. Both preparation and recovery steps are personalised, so they will need to be discussed during your consultation in order to get a clear idea of what steps you will need to take.
We also recommend asking your surgeon about what you can expect from the results of your procedure. Discuss the permanency of your results, if you will need any touch-up treatments in the future, and how long it may take for your final results to become visible after surgery. These are all factors that can vary per patient, so it is a good idea to prepare yourself and know what to expect.
Asking these questions will not only give you the information that you need, but it will also give you an idea as to whether or not you and your surgeon are on the same page when it comes to your personal preferences and desired results. You should feel like your surgeon has a good understanding of your goals, and will tailor the procedure to suit your needs.
Dr Perron Brisbane
Taking a patient-centred approach to breast lift mastopexy surgery, Dr Perron is an experienced Plastic and Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgeon, performing procedures in both public and private clinics.
Canadian-born, he moved to Australia in 2000 to pursue his medical training. He has gained experience throughout Queensland, working in various locations across the state and presenting at surgical conferences. He maintains current knowledge in the surgical field to offer his patients appropriate and tailored techniques.
If you want to book your consultation in Brisbane, contact us today.
