Breast Lift Surgery (Mastopexy) ~ www.istanbulcosmeticsurgery.com

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted. A woman’s breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Weight fluctuations
• Aging
• Gravity
• Heredity

Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast. If you want your breasts to look fuller, consider breast lift and breast augmentation surgery. If you want smaller breasts, consider combining breast lift and breast reduction surgery.


BEFORE SURGERY

Your Plastic Surgeon Dr.Emre Gönen,MD will explain how to prepare for the operation. For example, if you smoke you will be asked to stop, as smoking increases your risk of getting a chest and wound infection, which can slow your recovery. Breast uplift surgery usually requires an overnight stay in hospital and it’s usually done under general anaesthesia. This means you will be asleep during the operation. So, you will be asked to follow fasting instructions. This means not eating or drinking, typically for about six hours beforehand. However, it's important to follow your surgeon's advice. Your surgeon will discuss with you what will happen before, during and after your procedure, and any pain you might have. This is your opportunity to understand what will happen and you can help yourself by preparing questions to ask about the risks, benefits and any alternatives to the procedure.
Your surgeon will measure your breasts and assess their shape and the position of your nipples. He or she may also mark the position of the surgical cuts on your breasts. Your surgeon may also take photographs so that the results of surgery can be compared with your original appearance. You may need to have a mammogram (X-ray of your breasts) prior to your operation.

SURGERY

There are three common incision patterns:

• Around the areola
• Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
• Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease

After your surgeon makes the incisions:
The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness. The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height.
If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.
Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.
After your breasts are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed. Some incision lines resulting from breast lift are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time. Many women desire the smallest scar possible. However, your plastic surgeon Dr.Emre Gönen,MD will recommend the incisions which best suit your anatomy. Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue to create and support the newly shaped breasts. 

AFTER SURGERY

After the surgery, your breasts will be covered and protected by gauze bandages and either an elastic bandage or a surgical bra. The bandages and drainage tubes will be removed during the first week after surgery, but you’ll continue to wear a soft support bra for several weeks. Your breasts will be swollen and bruised for a few weeks after surgery. During the first few days you’ll probably have some pain, and for a week or more you may feel discomfort when you move around. Medicines will control this. Your stitches will be removed within one to two weeks. You should be able to return to non-physical work about a week or two after surgery, though it will be several weeks before you feel completely up to speed. You’ll need to limit your exercise and activities during this time. You’ll also want to avoid sex for a week or so because arousal can cause your breasts to hurt. You may find that your breasts and nipples are less sensitive, or have no feeling at all. Sensation usually returns after several weeks or months.
This surgery does leave permanent scars. But they will fade in time and are easily hidden by clothing.