Breast lift surgery (also known as mastopexy) is a transformative procedure designed to elevate and reshape sagging breasts, restoring a youthful appearance. Over time, factors such as pregnancy, weight loss, and the natural ageing process can cause the breasts to lose firmness and sag, a condition known as ptosis. Mastopexy aims to reposition the breast tissue and elevate the nipple-areola complex, resulting in firmer, more youthful-looking breasts.
Whether you’ve experienced changes in breast shape due to pregnancy, weight fluctuations, or simply the natural effects of ageing, a breast lift can help restore your confidence and provide the aesthetic results you desire. At Lux Plastic Surgery in Bedford, our experienced surgeons are dedicated to delivering beautiful, natural-looking results tailored to your unique body and goals.
What is Breast Lift Surgery?
Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) is designed to lift and reshape sagging or drooping breasts. The procedure tightens the skin around the breasts, elevates the nipple-areola complex, and restores a youthful breast contour. Mastopexy focuses on the positioning of the breasts rather than their size, although it can be combined with breast augmentation (implants or fat transfer) if volume enhancement is also desired.
The surgery is ideal for women who have experienced significant breast sagging due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss, or simply ageing. The procedure addresses issues such as nipple positioning, breast tissue volume, and skin laxity, resulting in a firmer, youthful appearance. At Lux Plastic Surgery, we ensure that each surgery plan is customised to your needs, achieving a result that is balanced and harmonious with your body.
Service Details
Expected Surgery Time
3 hours
Done Under
General Anaesthesia
Hospitalisation
Day
Drains Required
No Hours
Supporting Garment
Sports bra for 6 weeks post procedure
Benefits of Breast Lift Surgery
Breast lift surgery offers numerous benefits, including:
Restoring Shape and Firmness: If pregnancy, weight loss, or ageing has caused your breasts to sag, mastopexy can restore the youthful firmness and shape of your breasts.
Improving Symmetry: The procedure can help correct asymmetry, ensuring both breasts are shaped and positioned in a more balanced and youthful way.
Enhanced Confidence: Many women experience a significant boost in self-confidence after mastopexy, as they feel more comfortable with their body and appearance.
Natural-Looking Results: Unlike implants, which change the size of the breasts, mastopexy focuses on lifting and reshaping them, ensuring a more natural outcome.
what happens during a breast lift Procedure
Breast lift surgery typically takes 3 hours to complete, depending on the extent of the lift required. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, ensuring you are completely comfortable throughout the procedure.
Incision Types: The type of incision used during mastopexy depends on the degree of breast ptosis (sagging). The most common incision types are:
- Periareolar (around the areola): Suitable for mild sagging and smaller lifts.
- Vertical Incision: Extends from the areola to the breast crease and is used for moderate ptosis.
- Inverted T (Anchor Incision): For more extensive lifting, this incision surrounds the areola, extends vertically to the breast crease, and follows the fold beneath the breast.
- Periareolar (around the areola): Suitable for mild sagging and smaller lifts.
- Breast Reshaping: After making the incisions, the surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes the underlying breast tissue. The nipples and areolas are repositioned to a higher, more youthful location. If necessary, the surgeon may also perform a breast augmentation by inserting implants or using fat transfer to add volume.
Closing the Incisions: Once the desired shape is achieved, the incisions are carefully closed with sutures. You’ll be monitored in the recovery area before being allowed to go home the same day.
Recovery and Aftercare
After your breast lift surgery, proper aftercare is essential for a smooth recovery. While recovery times can vary from person to person, the following guidelines apply:
Immediate Recovery: Expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the first few days. Pain medication will be prescribed to manage any discomfort, and a sports bra will be required for 6 weeks to provide support and minimise swelling.
First Follow-Up: You’ll have a follow-up appointment within the first week, and another one after two weeks to check your healing progress and remove any stitches. During this time, you should avoid lifting or straining.
Return to Work and Activities: You can return to light work after 2-3 weeks, but avoid strenuous physical activities and heavy lifting during the first month. By 4 weeks, you can resume moderate physical activity, but 6 weeks is usually required to return to full physical activity, including workouts.
Long-Term Healing: Full results will become visible after the swelling has completely subsided, typically around 3-6 months. During this time, the breasts will settle into their final position, and you’ll be able to enjoy the full benefits of your surgery.
Risks and Considerations
As with any surgical procedure, breast lift surgery carries some risks, including infection, scarring, and changes in nipple sensation.
However, these risks are minimal when performed by an experienced, skilled surgeon like Mr. Sandip Hindocha at Lux Plastic Surgery.
We take every precaution to ensure the procedure is as safe as possible and will guide you through the recovery process to avoid complications.
Why Choose Lux Plastic Surgery?
At Lux Plastic Surgery in Bedford, we understand that each woman’s body is unique, and we tailor our procedures to meet your specific needs and goals. Whether you’re looking to restore volume after pregnancy or weight loss or simply want to enhance the natural contours of your breasts, our team is here to help you achieve the most natural, beautiful results.
Mr. Sandip Hindocha is a highly experienced consultant plastic surgeon who specialises in breast surgery. With a focus on delivering personalised care and outstanding results, Mr. Hindocha takes the time to understand your aesthetic goals and ensures that your surgery is performed with precision and care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the cost of a breast lift in Bedford?
Pricing for a breast lift reflects both the surgical approach and the patient’s individual factors. During your consultation, we will provide an individualized quote for your procedure. We also offer financing options to help you manage the cost of the surgery.
2. How long does healing take following a breast lift?
The initial recovery period takes about 1-2 weeks, during which you should avoid strenuous activities. Most patients can return to normal activities within 4-6 weeks. Final results typically appear within 3 to 6 months, after swelling has fully resolved.
3. Does a breast lift change shape or size?
A breast lift primarily focuses on reshaping and lifting the breasts rather than increasing or decreasing their size. If you want to increase breast size, a breast lift can be combined with breast augmentation using implants.
4. How long can the effects of a breast lift be expected to last?
The results of a breast lift are long-lasting, but factors such as aging, weight changes, and pregnancy can affect the shape of your breasts over time. However, the improvements you experience from the surgery can last for many years.
5. Who is considered a good candidate for a breast lift?
If you’re in good health, have realistic expectations, and are bothered by sagging breasts, you are likely a good candidate for a breast lift. Connect with one of our surgeons to see if a breast lift aligns with your goals.