Breast lift
More photographs of this treatment can be found here » fotos/borstvergroting
A breast lift or mastopexy is an operation to raise breasts, to firm them, or, to reshape the model of a breast (pictures above).
This surgery is intended for women, who for what ever reason have breasts which have lost their firmness and are sagging. After pregnancy and nursing it seems as if the breast tissue melts away. But also loss of weight can cause loss of firmness in breasts. From as early as childhood breasts can sag or show a deviation in size.
"Muscle exercise does not prevent sagging breasts"
The breast is situated on top of the large breast muscle. With (breast) muscle exercises the volume of this muscle does increase, but the breast itself doesn’t change. In the contrary, by excessive training the underlying fatty tissue can decrease and the breast will loose volume. A well shaped and fitted bra will support the breast, which will prevent it from sagging.
The surgery
The operation is almost similar to breast reduction surgery. The difference is that no breast tissue is being removed, but everything is being used to give the breast more firmness. There are fewer scars than in breast reduction.
The length of the surgery
A breast lift takes at least 2 to 2 ½ hours
Complications and risks
Bruising is the most frequently seen complication, but can be easily treated. The moving of breast tissue demands a lot from the blood supply and for the healing of the wound. Rest and support for the operated breast with a well fitted bra can prevent complications.
The use of implants
Sometimes there is not enough own tissue left and in order to get a good result from the breast lift a silicone implant needs to be placed. This is the least favorable kind of breast lift. You probably can imagine that the amount of lift and the size of the implant have to be exactly right. This requires some experience. The use of implants is almost always necessary.
After the surgery
The time needed to recuperate is the same as with a breast reduction. As mentioned earlier the operated breast needs a lot of support and rest to heal. For the first five days after surgery a tape dressing is used. After that a good fitted bra must be worn day and night for 2 weeks, which can come off only while having a shower. After this the bra can be removed at night. The total healing time takes about 6 weeks. During these 6 weeks you can do no sports. Normal quiet activities are no problem.
Scars
There will be a scar around the nipple and a vertical coupe-shaped incision. This vertical scar without doubt heals very nicely. Because the breast will be partially hanging over it, it will be hardly noticeable. In more extensive lifts it sometimes will be necessary to make an extra incision in the crease under the breast, but smaller than in breast reduction.
How long will the treatment keep?
The shape of the breasts in most cases improves permanently. In the first months the breasts will lose some of their firmness, but because of that the shape will look more natural.
