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The mastopexy is an operation performed in women with loose, sagging breast due to e.g. pregnancy, massive weight loss or genetic predisposition.

During the operation, the following procedures are performed:

  • breast lift,
  • nipple-areola complex transfer,
  • breast skin tightness.

During the procedure it is possible to insert an additional breast implant in order to enlarge the breast volume. In case of inconsiderable breast drop, it is possible that the breast implant will improve the overall breast appearance. Then, the surgical incisions will be small. However, you should keep in mind that every skin incision will leave a permanent scar.

Who is a candidate?
The largest group of patients are women between 30 and 60 years old, who wish to improve their breast appearance. The surgery may be also performed as further step of mastectomy in order to achieve better breast symmetry.

Before the surgery
The plastic surgeon will carefully evaluate your medical history including breast diseases and your family history. The breast examination will be also performed with additional imaging tests evaluation, such as breast ultrasonography or mammography.

Your overall health status will also be analyzed including:

  • blood pressure measurements,
  • bleeding or blood clotting disorders,
  • tendency to form hypertrophic or keloid scars based on previous operations.

You will also receive detailed information that will help you to properly prepare for the procedure. It includes:

  • quitting smoking,
  • list of contraindicated drugs,
  • proper wound care technique,
  • eating and drinking restrictions day before the surgery.

The course of the surgery
You will analyze the current appearance of your breast and your expectations about their appearance after the surgery with your plastic surgeon. Before the consultation, you should also analyze whether the volume of your breast is suitable for you, or they are too small or too large.

There are several methods of breast lifting that differ in the way of surgical incisions. The approximate skin incisions will be marked before the surgery. In case of minor degrees of breast ptosis, usually the incision is made around the areola. However, sometimes it happens that the skin incision needs to be extended downward. In case of major breast drop, it is more likely that the postoperative scar will be longer and more visible.

Type of the anesthesia
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia.

After the surgery

In most cases, patients feel the postoperative pain for 24 to 72 hours. The breast swelling is usually present, but it subsides 1 month after the surgery.

Patients are able to return to social life 2-4 days after the surgery. Intense physical activity is contraindicated for 4 weeks after the surgery.

Possible complications

Mastopexy aims to improve the overall appearance of your breast, but you should remember that it is considered as a “major” surgery. You should carefully consider and discuss your expectations regarding breast appearance after the operation with your plastic surgeon. The final size of your breast will depend on the chosen operating method, stability of your body mass and overall health.

After the surgery, you may notice the breast asymmetry. It is a common situation due to the fact that the majority of women have a disproportion of breast volume preoperatively. The breast asymmetry present before the surgery, will be also seen postoperatively. However, the overall breast appearance will be significantly improved.


Besides possible complications associated with general anesthesia, the loss of sense in the areola and nipples may appear. Skin incisions will form the postoperative scar. Not every patient is a good candidate for breast lift and everyone may experience different type of complications after the surgery. Your plastic surgeon will explain possible risks, complications and expected results of the surgery during the preoperative consultation.

Expected results

Your breast will look youthful, firmer, smoother and more attractive after the surgery.

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