Breast Procedures
Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Sydney
Researching the plastic surgeons in Sydney can be a timely process before women choose to undergo breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery. Dr Tavakoli and his team provide support throughout the surgical journey. Whatever your reasons are for considering breast surgery in Sydney, Dr. Tavakoli works with you to understand your desires and expectations.
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DR TAVAKOLI’S PHILOSOPHY
ON BREAST LIFT OR MASTOPEXY
Gravity, over time, has effects on many areas of the body, including the breasts. Breast ptosis and skin laxity can happen due to ageing, and sometimes it’s noticeable after weight loss or breastfeeding. For those who want to change the shape of their breasts (without reducing the size), mastopexy surgery is a common surgical method. In some cases, it’s combined with a breast augmentation mammoplasty, but can also be done independently.
Dr Tavakoli performs a large number of mastopexy operations, with all four internationally accepted techniques further refined by him over the past 12 years in private practice, including over 1000 mastopexy cases. Mastopexy can be very complicated. Dr Tavakoli prefers to use an implant to achieve the desired elevating effect, however, he also recognises that in situations where the skin has stretched too much and has lost its elasticity, the use of an implant alone is unwarranted.
What is a Breast lift surgery / Mastopexy?
A breast lift or mastopexy is designed to change the shape and position of the breasts without reducing their size. This is usually for breasts that have some degree of laxity but are not necessarily too large. Laxity of the breasts may occur with normal development for some women or as part of ageing. Pregnancy, breast-feeding, and weight loss are other conditions which increase breast ptosis. Some patients will have a better shape to their breast if an implant is used at the time of mastopexy, and this option can be discussed during a consultation.
- Breast shape
- Breast size
- Nipple-areolar position
- Skin elasticity and stretch marks
Breast ptosis is a condition that affects women of all ages. Although we tend to associate breast ptosis with old age, young girls after significant weight loss or post-breast-feeding are often faced with varying degrees of this.
Although a breast augmentation mammoplasty with implants can, to some extent, rectify concerns about breast volume, the issues relating to nipple position and excessive skin envelope cannot be addressed. This means augmentation mammoplasty is usually left for very mild cases of breast ptosis, as per the examples below.
Breast Lift Cases Studies
Disclaimer: The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.
Case Study 1
Green Zone Deflated
Case Study 2
RED ZONE:
Clear cut laxity requiring mastopexy and augmentation mammoplasty
Red Zone:
Bilateral primary breast augmentation mammoplasty and mastopexy to correct severe ptosis. Mentor Siltex moderate plus 300cc inserted following mastopexy to create maximum lift.
Red Zone:
Bilateral primary breast augmentation mammoplasty and mastopexy to correct severe ptosis. Mentor Siltex Round UHP 250cc inserted following mastopexy to create a lift.
Case Study 3 & 4
Two-stage breast mastopexy and augmentation mammoplasty.
Bilateral breast reduction and fat grafting to upper pole.
The Procedure
Breast ptosis can be classified according to the position of the breast and nipple in relation to breast fold:
- Grade 1: Breast is Below fold, nipple-areola at fold
- Grade 2: Breast is below fold, nipple-areola is also below fold
- Grade 3: Nipple-areola pointing to the floor
Breast lift surgery or Mastopexy is therefore designed to alter the breast shape in three ways:
- Grade 1: Breast is Below fold, nipple-areola at fold
- Grade 2: Breast is below fold, nipple-areola is also below fold
- Grade 3: Nipple-areola pointing to the floor
Although mastopexy does not change the amount of breast tissue a woman has, it can change the shape dramatically. This in turn can affect the overall breast size and projection. However, there are many cases where breast lifting (mastopexy) needs to be combined with a breast implant to produce a desirable breast size. The combined breast lift-augmentation (mastopexy/mammoplasty) is considered one of the more difficult operations in plastic surgery. It can be performed in either one stage or more commonly in two stages.
Modern plastic surgery attempts to minimise scars, but scarring is inevitable. The prospective patient should be aware of this delicate balance prior to embarking on this procedure and understand that outcomes may vary.
The breast lift mastopexy surgery is basically performed using four types of incisions or scars:
TWO types of nipple re-positioning procedures with little effect on the breast shape but can align the nipple-areolar complex:
- Cresenteric scar (half-moon) areolar lift: Dr Tavakoli generally does not like this procedure as it can cause the areola to become ‘boxy’ in appearance.
- Periareolar mastopexy where there is a donut-shaped scar around the nipple-areola complex (Benelli-Goes): This is an interesting procedure with a huge amount of history. It has been extensively researched as a way of lifting breast tissue and is often unsuccessful. It can be a suitable procedure if adopted correctly by the surgeon and executed meticulously. It is the workhorse operation in treatment of tuberous and short fold patients. It gives direct access to breast parenchyma enabling the breast to be split in a tongue-groove technique. For more information on tuberous breast please visit the designated page.
TWO types of mastopexy procedures that can re-shape the breast and modify the nipple-areolar position for moderate to severe ptosis:
- Lolly-pop (circumvertical) scar from the areola to the breast crease (LeJour-Hammond). This is the most common technique Dr Tavakoli uses in reshaping the breast and elevating the nipple. If there is extra skin at the end of this procedure he will cover the scar to Inverted-T in order to reduce the risk of recurrence.
- Traditional anchor-shaped scar, inverted T-scar (wise pattern). For severe ptosis, Dr Tavakoli uses this technique as it removes the most amount of skin and stretch marks.
- Further to the skin scarring pattern, breast tissue must be surgically contoured. This manoeuvre is an integral part of breast remodelling process.
Scarring after breast lift mastopexy
The degree of scarring can vary depending on the individual and the technique used. Most patients embarking on breast enhancement fear poor scarring that may arise from this procedure. Hence there are instances where Dr Tavakoli would initially recommend the use of breast implants and adopt the wait and see approach. The quality of the breast lift mastopexy scar can depend on the patient’s own healing power.
Clinical Sequences:
No Implants Sequence
Before Breast Lift
3 Months Post
18 Months Post
With Implants Sequence
Before Breast Lift
3 Months Post
18 Months Post
YOUR BREAST LIFT CONSULTATION
In order to best evaluate your personal goals for the procedure and determine whether or not you are a suitable candidate, we will have a consultation prior to your surgery to create an individually tailored treatment plan.
During the consultation, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions about the procedure, discuss your options and talk about any necessary preparation and recovery steps. It’s essential to be open and honest about your desired results, so that we can create the best treatment plan for you, using the most effective techniques. We will also be able to provide you with a personalised quote calculating your total procedure costs.
Your consultation is also the time to decide if the procedure is right for you, as ultimately, the decision to undergo the procedure is very personal.
OPERATIVE SEQUENCE OFFERED DURING YOUR CONSULTATION
Dr Tavakoli may recommend any of the following operations to you at the time of the consultation:
- Breast augmentation mammoplasty alone: Patients often enquire if they can simply have an implant to correct ptosis. This depends on the severity of the drop, and the skin quality of patient. I categorise the patients during consultation to:
- A. Green zone:
The patient has mainly deflated breasts and will do greatly with the appropriate use of implant and dual pocket dissection. - B. Yellow zone:
Patient has a combination of deflation and ptosis that may not fully resolve with the use of implants, but may accept slight ptosis in the postoperative breasts as long as there are no scars involved. - C. Red zone:
The ptosis far outweighs deflation and the patient must undergo a breast lift or mastopexy in order to achieve aesthetically pleasing results.
- A. Green zone:
- Breast augmentation mammoplasty with breast lift mastopexy in one operation (single staged)
- Breast lift mastopexy followed by breast augmentation mammoplasty after six to 12 months for extreme ptosis and/or severe asymmetry (two staged)
- Breast lift mastopexy alone, auto-augmentation: In selected cases where patient has ptosis with great skin and firm parenchyma, Dr Tavakoli uses a modern “Internal Bra” technique based on anchoring breast tissue to the chest wall creating an “auto-augmentation look” without the need for a breast implant. This procedure can be coupled with fat grafting to the upper pole if need be.
- Fat grafting to upper pole of breast: Mastopexy performed in conjunction with fat grafting to the upper pole of breasts to create fullness
BREAST LIFT MASTOPEXY COSTS IN SYDNEY
The cost of a breast lift mastopexy procedure can vary depending on several factors, including the duration of the surgery and whether it is part of a broader package that involves other surgeries. To provide an accurate cost for your surgery, we will discuss your motivations for the surgery and your desired outcomes, and consider personal factors such as your body type and health history.
We will discuss all of these factors during a consultation, which not only allows us to provide you with an accurate cost, but it also gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have and feel more confident about the procedure. During your consultation, we can discuss whether a breast lift procedure can be combined with an augmentation or reduction, if desired. If you combine the procedures, this will also influence your total surgery costs.
Although we cannot provide a detailed quote without speaking with you directly, we can break down the different cost components of your surgery to give you an idea of what to expect:
Your procedure fees will cover the costs for:
- The surgical team
- The anaesthetist
- Our state-of-the-art facilities
- Our high-quality equipment
- Comprehensive after-care and consultation
Our clinic is equipped with the latest technology to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. Our after-care program is also comprehensive, with in-depth communication and assessment sessions to ensure your full recovery.
Your initial consultation and quote are completely free of charge and obligation.
SURGERY RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
Breast lift mastopexy surgery, like any surgical procedure, comes with potential risks and complications. Surgical risks and complications may include infection, bleeding, asymmetry, keloid scarring, and nerve damage. Damage to the blood supply of the nipple-areolar complex, although uncommon, can occur.
Breast lift mastopexy surgery may also result in changes in nipple or breast sensation, which can be temporary or permanent. There is a risk of asymmetry after breast lift mastopexy surgery, where one breast may appear higher or lower than the other, but techniques will be put in place to avoid this.
Breast lift mastopexy surgery may impact breastfeeding ability, although this is generally not a significant concern. You can discuss this during your consultation if you plan on having children in the future. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with anaesthesia, which can also be discussed during your consultation.
Having a clear understanding of your personalised preparation and recovery advice will also help you to greatly minimise some of these risks.
Undergoing a breast lift mastopexy in Sydney
Having a breast lift mastopexy is an invasive surgical operation that requires the skills and experience of a qualified surgeon. Don’t make the mistake of simply walking into any of the number of surgical clinics in the country and expect the best possible results. Do your research and make the best out of the consultation process.
More importantly, patients need to make sure that their breast surgeon has the necessary qualifications and board certifications. Follow up on references and verify with the certifying body that your surgeon does indeed have the credentials and qualifications to perform the procedure safely and effectively.
Get in touch with us on 1300 368 107 to arrange a consultation in Sydney or Double Bay.
THE BREAST LIFT PROCEDURE FAQS
Patients must stop smoking for at least 2 months before and after the operation. Time off work from this procedure is usually 10-14 days for recovery and healing to take place. Smoking increases chances of bleeding, infection and long term scarring.
What happens to the circulation and sensation of my nipple?
Generally, the nipple-areolar complex (brown part of the breast) is carried on some breast tissue to keep it alive. This usually preserves the nipple sensation and keeps it viable.
How long is the patient hospitalised?
What kind of anaesthesia is used?
A general anaesthetic is used during all mastopexy procedures.
Who is on the surgical team?
Dr Tavakoli will always perform the operation.
Will the breasts start to sag again?
Gravity continues to have its effect, and there is a tendency for the skin of the breast to stretch over a long period of time. Women vary a great deal in this respect. In general, the smaller the breasts, the less tendency for sagging to recur. If the breasts sag further, minor revisions may be needed to reverse the process. If Dr Tavakoli tries to lift heavy breasts without making them smaller at the same time, sagging will return much sooner. One key point to a satisfying result is having realistic expectations.
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