Breast Uplift or Mastopexy

There are no exercises that are capable of shrinking stretched skin. Once a breast has drooped, exercises will not help. A good supporting bra worn routinely, particularly during pregnancy, is the best prevention.

Through this procedure drooping breasts can be restored to give a more youthful shape, but without increasing or decreasing size. Mastopexy is also used to improve breasts which have an unusual shape, such as those where the crease is high so that the nipple and areola descend over it and point downwards. By lifting the nipples and changing the position of the crease underneath, a mastopexy can produce a more normal appearance.

The most common reason for carrying out this operation is when a woman has had children, or lost weight and the breasts have become droopy with the nipples lying lower than the breast crease whilst standing. Often the skin of the breast appears stretched and the breast contents may have shrunk so that the skin no longer fits nicely over the breast tissue. The aim of the operation is to reduce the amount of loose skin, lift the nipple, and re-drape the skin so that it gives the breast a better shape. If the nipple is above the crease, breast augmentation is a better choice of operation.

If the breasts are droopy because they are very bulky, then a breast reduction should be performed. This combines the skin tightening and nipple raising operation with removal of breast tissue. If, on the other hand, the breasts are going to be too small even when raised to a better position, then mastopexy can be combined with augmentation.

Before the operation, the new nipple site is marked with the patient standing. Under general anaesthetic, an incision is made around the edge of the areola, and skin on the lower part of the breast is removed, but not the breast tissue. The nipple is lifted to its new position, often a few inches higher, and the skin is brought together underneath. There are several techniques available, depending on the surgeon's preference, and on the case in question. There will be scarring which is permanent. Usually this is around the areola, and then in a vertical line down to a scar in the crease. After the wound is sutured, a padded dressing is applied and the patient usually goes home the following day.