A breast lift (or Mastopexy) aims to improve the shape of the breast, elevating the nipple position and improving the projection and position on the chest wall.
The breast lift surgery procedure is most often used to correct the effects of breast droop or ptosis. Age, childbearing, and weight changes can all stretch and elongate the ligaments that contribute to the youthful shape of your breast.
Many patients request a breast lift procedure for a range of benefits, to give a more youthful look to their breasts which helps to improve self-confidence and body shape.
Benefits of breast lift surgery
- Improve the appearance of your breasts
- Increase the volume and firmness of your breasts
- Enhance nipple positioning
- For some women, the procedure will reduce skin irritation under the breast folds
- Regain a youthful body shape
- Increase self-confidence and feeling of youthfulness for women who experience sagging breast skin and drooping breasts
- This procedure can correct droopiness, restore shape and firmness for firmer and perkier breasts
Is a breast lift right for me?
To determine if the breast lift procedure is right for you, consider the following:
- Undergo a consultation to determine if your breast ptosis or droop is classified as mild, moderate, or severe
- Understand that for mild ptosis, bilateral breast augmentation usually is adequate to correct the problem
- For moderate ptosis, surgical correction with a vertical mastopexy is required
- For severe ptosis, surgical correction as above, combined with bilateral breast augmentation is often required
- Your medical history, medical conditions and medications will need to be discussed during your consultation
- Information about any previous cosmetic procedures will be taken into account
- Our team will also inspect your skin to determine what kind of results should be expected
- We will discuss your expectations, the potential risks, and how long it will take you to heal
What does the procedure involve?
The essence of ptosis correction surgery is the lifting of the nipple-areola complex to a new, raised, and better position.
- A pedicle (breast tissue with its blood supply intact) is created to enable the nipple-areola complex to be shifted into its new position
- A small amount of breast tissue is removed in the upward shift of the nipple-areola complex The breast tissue is then sewn together to get a good shape of the breast around the nipple-areola complex
Surgery is done under general anaesthesia at Baringa Private Hospital and takes about 3 hours. You will be required to spend one night in the hospital for post-operative care and monitoring.
How It Works
Step 1
The first step when you are considering a breast lift is a consultation with Dr. Arianayagam. It would be best if you frankly discuss your goals and expectations at this meeting.
Step 2
Dr. Arianayagam will ask you a variety of questions about your current health situation, medications, allergies, and any past medical treatments. He will carefully examine your breasts and take measurements. He will then discuss the options available and his recommendations.
Step 3
Ideally, a second consultation is had a week or two later to give you the opportunity to come back with more questions and to confirm your decision.
Step 4
The essence of ptosis correction surgery is the lifting of the nipple-areola complex to a new, raised, and better position. A pedicle (breast tissue with its blood supply intact) is created to enable the nipple-areola complex to be shifted into its new position.
A small amount of breast tissue is removed in the upward shift of the nipple-areola complex. The breast tissue is then sewn together to get a good shape of the breast around the nipple-areola complex.
Step 5
Surgery is done under general anaesthesia at Baringa Private Hospital and takes about 3 hours. You will be required to spend one night in the hospital for post-operative care and monitoring.
Why Choose Us?
Dr. Arianayagam is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who has experience operating and observing in Malaysia, India, the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. He has been operating from Coffs Harbour since 1995.
The doctor is a trusted source for all methods of treatment due to his range of qualifications make which include:
- A Bachelor of Surgeryand a Bachelor of Medicine
- A Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- A Corresponding Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
- Specialist status in Plastic Surgery in the Commonwealth of Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
You are likely to experience some pain and swelling after breast lift surgery. The pain can be controlled with pain relievers. The swelling is usually minimal and should settle over three months. The final shape and positioning will continue to settle for as long as six months.
The critical healing period is the first three weeks. Over this period, you will be asked to restrict your activities significantly. Dr. Arianayagam recommends time off work during this critical recovery period, and you should plan to get help with activities.
You should avoid strenuous exercise for at least three months to allow for good healing.
Immediately following surgery, you will have surgical dressings to support the breasts. In the second week, this is changed to a post-operative compression garment that must be worn for three months.
Any surgery will leave scars, but we make an enormous effort to make them as inconspicuous as possible, using fine stitches and positioning the incisions so the scars will be difficult to see once they fade.
Scarring can remain red and raised for several months and may take up to a year to diminish completely. Dr. Arianayagam will provide you with information and advice on scar management and minimisation.
As with all surgical procedures, there will always be risks such as post-operative bleeding, allergic reactions, infection, deep vein thrombosis, and haemotoma.
There are also some risks and complications that are specific to a breast lift.
Breast asymmetry
It is possible for uneven breasts to occur after breast lift surgery. It is vital to make sure you have fully healed, 6 to 8 months after surgery, before making this judgment. Usually, breast asymmetry can be corrected with revision surgery.
Altered nipple sensation
Most women having a breast lift will experience no change in nipple sensation. However, a small percentage of patients experience a permanent reduction or loss of nipple sensation.
Nipple necrosis
If the blood flow to the nipples is impaired during surgery, this can result in necrosis or nipple death. Symptoms include the loss of sensation and black colouration of the nipple.
However, this is an extremely rare complication.
Our Locations
Dr. Arianayagam and his patient care team are available at a range of locations. Hand-picked for their skill-level and competence, the team will ensure all patients receive the highest levels of care during every procedure.
Once you have made the decision to go ahead with the surgery and have chosen Dr. Arianayagam as your surgeon, you will also be offered the opportunity to speak to one of our patients who has the same procedure.
The PCLS team will provide all the necessary information you require during consultation as it is our primary goal to ensure you are fully informed and comfortable before confirming your procedure. They will be with you every step of the way during your treatment and recovery process, making sure you have the follow-up care you need.
The locations that are serviced by the PCLS team include: