Breast lift

Alternative Names: Mastopexy; Breast lift with reduction; Breast lift with augmentation

A breast lift, or mastopexy, is cosmetic breast surgery to lift the breasts. The surgery may also involve changing the position of the areola and nipple.

Description of Procedure

Cosmetic breast surgery can be done at an outpatient surgery clinic or in a hospital.

You will probably receive general anesthesia before this procedure. This will make you unconscious and unable to feel pain. Or, you may receive medicine to help you relax and local anesthesia to numb the area around the breasts to block pain. You will be awake but unable to feel pain.

Your surgeon will make 1 to 3 surgical cuts in your breast. Your surgeon will remove extra skin and may move your nipple and areola.

Sometimes, women have breast augmentation (enlargement) when they have a breast lift.

Risks of Breast lift

Risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Breathing problems, such as pneumonia
• Heart problems
• Reactions to medicines

Risks for breast surgery are:

• Inability to nurse a baby after surgery
• Large scars that take a long time to heal
• Loss of sensation around the nipples
• One breast that is larger than the other (asymmetry of the breasts)
• Uneven position of the nipples

The emotional risks of surgery may include feeling that your breasts don't look perfect, or you may be disappointed with people's reactions to your "new" breasts.

Review Date: 1/26/2011
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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