Breast ptosis
Breast ptosis, also called breast lift, consists in lifting up a sagging breast.
This distortion of the breasts can be hereditary and appear at adulthood or occur after breastfeeding, which may cause glandular melt after lactation and give the breast a drained and sagging aspect.
The surgery aims to replace the areola and the nipple, and reshape the breasts. In the case of a lack of volume, an implant may be necessary; this procedure is called an implant-plasty.
The resulting scar can comprise 3 parts:
- Always a circular part around the areola;
- Generally a vertical scar between the bottom of the areola and the bottom fold of the breast;
- A horizontal scar in the inframammary fold of the breast (inverted « T »).
When no scar is present under the bottom fold of the breast, it is referred to as the vertical technique. In some cases, both vertical and sub mammary scars can be avoided: the scar is referred to as periareolar, is called « round block ».
Before the surgery
- 2 mandatory consultations will take place.
- A mammography and an ultrasound exam are required.
The procedure
Breast ptosis is performed under general anesthesia. The patient arrives in the morning and returns home in the evening or the following morning.
The procedure is performed in a semi-upright position in order to see the result in a standing position. Generally it is not necessary to use drains.
When implants are necessary, they can be placed during the same procedure without any supplementat scar.
After the procedure
There is no bandage applied and the stitches are dissolvable. In most cases, there is no pain after the operation. A medical bra should be worn day and night during the first month. You will be able to go back to your normal activities after 1 week and sport activities can be resumed progressively after 1 month.
After a vertical technique, the underside of the breast will look flat and the top will be round for the first few weeks. This will become normal in about 3 weeks.
The definitive result will be apparent after around six months as the process is completed.
The first shower is permitted the day after the surgery but baths should be avoided during first month. The scars need to be protected from the sun for the entire first year after any surgery.
