WHAT IS A MASTOPEXY?
There are several circumstances that can cause the loss of consistency and breast volume: the passage of time, pregnancy, weight changes…
Mastopexy, or breast lift, is the procedure that allows the replacement of the descended tissues in order to achieve a more youthful appearance of the breasts.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THIS INTERVENTION?
Patients who have noticed that not only due to the passage of time, but due to the existence of previous pregnancies, weight losses, also due to situations that replace the glandular tissue with fat or simply, due to a deterioration of the skin, their breasts have lost volume and / or have fallen, resulting in a flattening.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE THE INTERVENTION?
If you are considering this intervention you should take into account:
– In very young patients, breast development must have been completed.
– The patient must be emotionally mature and be totally sure why she wants to have the operation: Feel better about herself.
WHAT IS VALUED ON THE FIRST VISIT?
Some of the characteristics that are evaluated during the consultation are:
– Medical and surgical history.
– Regular medication.
– Results of previous imaging studies.
– Existence of a history of breast cancer in the family.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE THE INTERVENTION? PREOPERATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
There are a few considerations to keep in mind:
– Avoid certain medications that may complicate the intervention.
– Quit smoking for a period of time, before and after the intervention, since tobacco has been shown to worsen and hinder wound healing.
– Keep in mind that you will need some help after the intervention.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AFTER THE INTERVENTION? POSTOPERATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Some recommendations include:
– Avoid tobacco.
– Take the prescribed postoperative medication.
– Relative rest of one week.
– Wear a bra for a postoperative period of time.
HOW IS A MASTOPEXY PERFORMED?
Depending on the type of breast and how sagging and empty it is, the surgical technique will be different.
The main objective of the intervention is to relocate in its previous place the different components of the breast that may have fallen over time.
Many times this technique is combined with the placement of a breast implant, which allows us to give the breast a more attractive shape and replace part of the lost volume.
This surgery can be performed using an incision around the areola (periareolar mastopexy), another with vertical extension (vertical mastopexy) or an inverted T-pattern mastopexy, in cases of very sagging breasts.
WHERE IS THIS INTERVENTION PRACTICED?
It is performed under general anaesthesia and one night hospital admission. The duration of the surgery depends of the particular surgical technique, but it oscillates around 2-3 hours.
WHAT IS THE EVOLUTION AND POST-INTERVENTION CONTROLS?
Although each patient has their own particularities, the postoperative course contains phases common to all patients:
One week after the intervention:
The stitches will be removed.
The inflammation will peak.
You will feel able to return to work as long as it is a quiet, sedentary job.
After several weeks of the intervention:
The inflammation will gradually decrease and you will start to see the final results.
You will no longer need to wear your bra all day.
You will be able to start exercising and move your arms freely.
WHEN WILL I SEE MY RESULTS?
The result is practically immediate. The improvements in the appearance of the breasts will be noticed progressively, already in the first month. Posteriorly, as the shape of your breast is adapted, your satisfaction will be greater.
HOW LONG WILL THE RESULT LAST?
Although the results of the intervention last for years, do not forget that the breasts are not immune to the passage of time or to changes in weight.
CAN IT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER SURGERIES?
Yes, in fact mastopexy is a surgery that is usually combined with other techniques in the same act, such as liposuction or abdominoplasty (a combination of techniques characteristic of women who have had several pregnancies: “mommy makeover”).
FOR HOW LONG SHOULD I CONTINUE TO SEE THE DOCTOR?
During the first months the monitoring will be more strict. Later, the visits will be spaced out. It should be borne in mind that although the current implants do not have an expiration date, it is recommended to carry out an imaging test 10 years after the intervention (breast ultrasound is the most common) to rule out any complication.
