Mastopexy is an effective plastic surgery for breast lift. Mastopexy: everything you wanted to know about breast lift

The shape and size of a woman's breasts change with age. After lactation or pregnancy, breasts lose their former shape, and often they can only be restored with the help of a plastic surgeon. Modern operations are easily tolerated, have very few contraindications and have a short recovery period. Therefore, a breast lift without implants is an excellent solution for those who want to restore their breasts to a firm, beautiful shape.

Before the operation begins, it is necessary to undergo tests, as well as determine the degree of sagging breasts, only then can you select the appropriate type of operation.

There are the following degrees of breast sagging:

• Pseudoptosis. The chest takes on a slightly elongated shape, and it is almost impossible to visually determine the sagging. The nipple is at the level of the breast fold, slightly lower than necessary.
• Grade 1 is characterized by slight prolapse of the mammary glands. The nipple is located below the breast fold.
• Grade 2 is characterized by a strong lowering of the nipple to a distance of up to 2 cm below the breast fold. Ptosis of degrees 2 and 3 can cause serious psychological discomfort.
• Grade 3 is characterized by maximum sagging, the nipple is located 3 cm below the breast fold. In this case, in addition to the usual lift, it is necessary to reposition the nipple and correct the shape of the breast.

Like any other operation, breast surgery can only be performed after a full examination. The patient is sent for the following tests:

• General clinical and biochemical blood tests.
• General urine analysis.
• Blood test from a vein for HIV and syphilis.
• Test for hepatitis.
• A visit to a cardiologist is a must.

It is equally important to find out the presence of allergies to medications and information about individual tolerance to various types of anesthesia.

Types of surgical lift

At the moment, several methods of improving breast shape without inserting implants are actively used. The doctor chooses the appropriate technique depending on the wishes of the patient and the condition of the breast at the time of the intervention. Usually, implants are not installed if the girl is satisfied with the size, but does not like the shape. If desired, you can perform a lift and enlarge the mammary glands at the same time.

As for shape correction, the following techniques are used:

• Mastopexy. Moving the nipple to another location and removing excess tissue. Gives good results with a small degree of ptosis. Refers to low-traumatic interventions.
• Lifting – skin tightening. Often combined with endoprosthetics - insertion of silicone implants to increase size.

Interestingly, a lift may be required not only due to congenital or acquired ptosis, but also after breast reduction surgery.

Each of these methods has its own variations. To correct the shape, mastopexy is most often used as a simple and least traumatic method of tightening.

Lifting with mesothreads

Mesothreads are a unique material that is widely used in plastic surgery. Mesothreads are synthetic polydioxanone fibers. They are ideal for suturing, as they dissolve on their own within 2-4 months, and connective tissue grows in place of the threads.

The operation using mesothreads is performed in the following order:

1. First, mark the place where the threads enter and exit. Marking is done before the operation using a special marker.
2. The operation itself is usually performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon inserts the threads according to the markings. The threads seem to tighten the breasts and give them shape.
3. The ends of the threads are fixed in the tissues, usually in the collarbone area. Fixation is carried out in such a way that the fibers of the mesothreads are stretched and the breasts receive the desired shape.

After the threads dissolve, connective tissue fibers are formed in their place, which will maintain their shape for a long time. Thus, mesothreads allow you to form a natural frame. On average, about 5-10 threads are required to lift one breast.

This procedure is recommended for slight breast sagging – grade 1 ptosis or pseudoptosis. The fact is that mesothreads cannot lift the breasts much or hold a large volume. Therefore, there are size restrictions - the operation is available for women with a bust up to size 3 inclusive.

Mastopexy for breast lift

Mastopexy is one of the types of breast surgery. A breast lift without implants is a recommended solution for ptosis or problems with the skin and shape of the mammary glands. If desired, you can not only change the shape of the bust, but also move the nipple and areola, and reduce the size of the breast.

There are several types of mastopexy; let’s take a closer look at each type of operation:

Mastopexy periareolar

It is also called circular mastopexy - this is an operation that is recommended for grade 1 ptosis or pseudoptosis. It also helps to change the shape of tubular breasts.

A periareolar lift is a kind of tightening of the breast skin. A correctly formed shape will be maintained for a long time. The rehabilitation period is of great importance. The operation consists of cutting off the nipple (the diameter of the cut is selected individually) and removing the required amount of skin. The nipple is then sewn into place. It turns out that the mammary gland is, as it were, tightened with less skin - it becomes more formed and elastic.

Vertical mastopexy

When performing a breast lift, vertical mastopaxy is suitable for severe sagging – 2 and 3 degrees of ptosis. From the name it is clear that the operation is performed through a vertical incision.

Vertical lifting is mainly performed for grade 2 sagging. The operation consists of removing part of the skin above and below the nipple, along the path of a vertical incision. The main danger is the scar. Since the incision is large, after the operation there may be traces of the intervention, especially on the sensitive skin around the nipple.

Anchor breast lift

Mastopexy with an anchor incision is suitable for the treatment of the most complex cases and the last stages of ptosis. The cut is shaped like an anchor.

The essence of the operation is that the surgeon makes an anchor-shaped incision next to the areola. The areola and nipple are then removed along the contour of the pigmentation, excess skin in the area below the incision is excised, and the nipple is sutured in place. The seam runs both vertically down from the nipple and under the breast. The danger also lies in incomplete healing of the suture. An anchor lift is considered one of the most complex and lengthy and requires very high qualifications from the surgeon. This operation is quite traumatic, as a large amount of skin is excised.

Augmentary mastopexy

An incision is made along the perimeter of the areola and is used to correct the shape and position of the nipple.

Augmentary mastopexy is a breast correction by removing the nipple and areola with an incision only along the areola. The operation is simple and in most cases leaves no traces, but is only suitable for correcting mild forms of ptosis.

This operation has a number of significant advantages:

• Does not leave scars.
• The rehabilitation period is minimal.
• Long-term inpatient observation is not required - only one day after surgery.
• The operation leaves the possibility of lactation and feeding.
• Excellent for breast lift after childbirth.

Most often, women who have given birth and breastfed a child seek lifting operations. This is logical - after lactation and childbirth, the breasts lose their shape.

Some types of operations are, in principle, not recommended to be performed before the baby is born, since the consequences and complications can make it impossible to breastfeed. Therefore, before contacting a surgeon, it is recommended to consider your plans for having children and only then make a decision.

Lifting after childbirth

The operation, which is performed after the birth of a child, has its own characteristics:

• The procedure can be prescribed only one year after the end of lactation.
• The correction method is chosen depending on the degree of ptosis.
• In a large number of cases, it is suggested to simultaneously reduce or enlarge the bust - during lactation the size may change, usually upward.

Breast lifting is possible only in the absence of acute breast disease. Before the operation, mammography and consultation with a mammologist are mandatory. If a woman has diseases of the mammary glands, then the possibility of intervention is assessed separately for each case.

Rehabilitation and recovery

On average, recovery takes from 1 month to six months, depending on the complexity of the operation. The healing period depends on the individual characteristics and general health of the body. In the first days, observation in a hospital is usually recommended.

Rehabilitation after a breast lift has its own characteristics:

• During the first few days, special drainage tubes are installed in the chest for lymph drainage. The bust area is penetrated by lymphatic ducts, which react very actively to injury to the mammary glands.
• To reduce scars, it is necessary to undergo a course of physiotherapy, which begins immediately after removal of the drainage tubes.
• For the first 7-10 days, strong painkillers are prescribed, since after breast surgery very severe pain occurs.
• In this case, sick leave is usually issued for no more than 2 weeks.
• Physical activity is prohibited for two months. You can return to active training only after complete healing.
• Laser correction is often prescribed to eliminate scars.

Breast plastic surgery has many features, so it is important to carry out the procedure in a trusted clinic and strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations.

Contraindications for surgery

There are a number of contraindications:

• Pregnancy planning.
• Lactation period.
• Obesity, diabetes.
• Hypertensive heart disease.
• Oncological diseases.
• Benign tumors or cysts of the mammary glands.
• Exacerbation of any chronic diseases.
• Infectious diseases.

If there are no contraindications, breast lift can be done at any time. Mastopexy or lift with mesothreads are not considered complex operations, but require certain skills from the plastic surgeon. The resulting breast shape largely depends on his skill. But proper healing depends only on how clearly the patient follows the surgeon’s recommendations.

It is important to contact trusted specialists. Currently, licensed clinics are present in almost all major cities of the country. As for the price, the cost of a facelift ranges from 50 to 200 thousand rubles. Only non-surgical skin tightening procedures are cheaper.

High and beautiful breasts are an advantage and at the same time a reason for concern for a woman. This delicate and fragile part of the body, like the skin on the hands and face, undergoes various changes over time, not for the better. The skin of the bust loses its elasticity, the muscles weaken, the shape and volume change. Weight gain or loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding - all of this, individually or together, causes sagging and breast changes.

Mastopexy will help to cope with defects of the mammary glands. This is a breast lift, which involves correction of its volume and shape, moving the nipples above the submammary line and eliminating ptosis of the mammary glands.

This type of surgical intervention is used to give firmness to the bust and roundness of the contours. During mastopexy, implants are not inserted, only the mammary glands are tightened.

Indications

Indications for mastopexy are:

• age-related changes in the breast;
• change in the shape of the mammary gland as a result of a sharp fluctuation in body weight up or down;
• drooping of the breasts after feeding the baby, as a result of which the skin stretches after swelling of the glands and cannot return to its normal state;
• genetic predisposition, when a woman inherits sagging breasts;
• stretch marks on the chest;
• bust asymmetry.

Contraindications

Mastopexy is not prescribed if a woman has:

• diseases of the endocrine system;
• hormonal imbalance;
• cysts and neoplasms in the mammary glands;
• infectious diseases;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• welts and scars on the chest;
• kidney problems;
• problems with blood clotting;
• hypertension;
• diabetes mellitus in the stage of decompensation;
• liver failure.

Currently, mastopexy is one of the popular breast correction operations. It accounts for 45-60% of all surgical interventions aimed at breast correction. More and more women are resorting to it after pregnancy, sudden weight loss, changes in the shape and firmness of the breasts as a result of age-related changes. Mastopexy is most often used on small breasts. In this case, you can expect a very good and long-lasting effect.

Degrees of breast drooping: Renaud scale

Mastoptosis or simply ptosis is a loss of elasticity of the skin of the breast. In this case, flattening of the breast is noted, the nipple and areola move downwards. Ptosis can be true (glandular), when the nipple and isola are moved down along with the breast tissue, and false, when the nipple remains at a normal level, the glands are flattened, and due to sagging tissue, the lower pole of the breast, which is located below the nipple, increases.

The degree of breast ptosis is determined using a special scale called the Renaud scale. According to it, the location of the nipple at mid-shoulder level is considered normal, regardless of the woman’s height. The nipple should be located above the fold under the mammary gland (called submammary). The presence of ptosis is indicated when the nipple falls below this level.

According to the Renault scale, the following degrees and types of breast sagging (mastoptosis) are distinguished, which are reflected in the following table.

Pros and cons of mastopexy

Breast lift, like any surgical intervention, has its advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of this type of mammoplasty include:

• no need to introduce a foreign object (implant), which immediately reduces the risk of rejection and complications after surgery;
• the ability to eliminate breast sagging from the slightest to the most pronounced;
• safety and reliability;
• wide age range. Mastopexy can be performed from the age of eighteen until old age.

Despite the large number of advantages, there are also a number of special warnings that you need to be aware of. You should not undergo surgery if you plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Although this type of mammoplasty does not affect pregnancy and lactation, if the operation is performed before pregnancy, then after childbirth and breastfeeding the child will have to resort to the operation again, since the mammary glands will again lose their shape and volume. After the operation, the natural functionality of the breast is not impaired, only its sagging is eliminated, and the ability to fully feed the baby with breast milk is completely preserved.

This type of breast lift also has some disadvantages:

1. Stretching of the postoperative suture may occur.
2. If you have severe sagging breasts or a large bust size, mastopexy is useless.
3. There may be loss of sensation in the nipples.
4. The breasts may appear flattened, requiring implants.
5. There is a high probability of re-operation if relevant factors influence it (fluctuations in body weight, pregnancy).

Types of mastopexy

The technique of performing the operation is quite simple, it includes lifting the breast and attaching it to the pectoral muscles, returning the nipple to its natural position, and excision of excess skin.

There are several types of mastopexy:

1. Circular.

The most common breast lift operation, which is used for false ptosis, underdevelopment of the mammary glands, and ptosis of degrees 1 and 2. During the operation, incisions are made around the areola of the nipple, excess stretched tissue is removed, but the glandular tissue of the mammary glands is not affected. After this, using special sutures, the mammary gland is attached to the pectoral muscle.

The entire operation lasts no more than an hour, general anesthesia is used. After it, the sensitivity of the nipples is not impaired, because the nerve endings of the mammary gland are not affected. The rehabilitation period lasts a week.

1. Vertical mastopexy.

This is a more complex version of the operation, which is used for ptosis of 2 and 3 degrees. The method involves removing a certain amount of glandular tissue, which sometimes provokes a partial loss of sensitivity of the nipples and areola. An incision is made above the nipple around the areola, extending it downwards by 3-5 cm or to the inframammary fold. A slight redistribution of the glandular tissue is carried out with the removal of a small part of it in the areola area. The isola itself can be reduced to 4 cm. The tissue is secured with sutures to the pectoral muscles.

The operation lasts 2 or 3 hours. After it, the woman needs to stay in the hospital for another week, as there is swelling of the mammary gland and there are pain symptoms that require drug treatment.

1. Anchor mastopexy.

A similar operation is performed for grade 3 and 4 ptosis. Designed for women with severe breast changes. An incision is made from the base of the areola to the lower part of the breast. Then a small flap of skin is cut out above the junction of the chest with the rib cartilage in the shape of a crescent. The nipple is cut off and reattached to a new place. After stitching, the scar is shaped like an anchor. The operation lasts 3-4 hours. Rehabilitation continues for at least six months.

1. Endoscopic method.

It is considered the least traumatic, since instead of incisions on the chest, several punctures are made, through which all manipulations are carried out to remove excess glandular tissue. After the operation there are no scars left, the recovery period is very short.

1. According to Benelli.

This is a gentle and low-traumatic method of breast lift. Excess skin is excised around the areola in the form of a ring, then a suture is made along the edge of the circle. Thanks to this method, the breasts are tightened and take on a beautiful shape. Small scars remain around the areola.

1. Crescent mastopexy.

Suitable for minor ptosis. Incisions are made above the areola in the shape of a crescent, and the nipple is pulled higher.

1. Benelli - Lollipop method.

A straight incision is made from the areola to the inframammary fold and several Benelli incisions are made. This method is suitable for women who do not have indications for a classic lift, but the Benelli method alone is not enough.

Alternative types of breast correction

Other popular methods for correcting the shape of the bust are thread lifting and correction using fillers.

Breast lifting with special threads only helps with mild ptosis and small breast size. It is also used to prevent sagging of medium-sized busts. If you use threads to correct large breasts, they will not hold them at a normal level and will cut through the breast tissue. For lifting, threads made of platinum, gold, and polylactic (biodegradable) are used.

Filler breast correction is carried out in two ways - replenishing the missing volume and excision of excess skin tissue. Macroline fillers are used for this surgical intervention. They are currently the only ones that are safe for breast augmentation and effectively replenish breast volume due to their density and viscous texture.

The decision on the choice of surgical intervention method is made by the plastic surgeon after a comprehensive examination of the patient.

Preparing for surgery

The preparatory stage includes a full examination by an anesthesiologist, therapist, and surgeon to identify contraindications to surgery. The plastic surgeon must be warned about any allergic reactions to any medications.

14 days before mastopexy, stop taking alcohol, oral contraceptives, and drugs that affect blood clotting.

The following laboratory tests are required:

• general and biochemical blood test;
• general urine analysis;
• analysis for HIV, hepatitis B, C, syphilis.

Fluorography, ECG, mammography and ultrasound of the mammary glands should be done.

Immediately before the operation, you should not eat in the evening, or even drink in the morning.

Possible complications

Depending on the surgical intervention, after breast correction, hematomas, inflammation, bleeding, swelling, the formation of rough scar tissue, asymmetry of the mammary glands, numbness and decreased sensitivity of breast areas may occur.

Side effects in the form of pain, swelling, temporary numbness and loss of sensitivity are predictable and will soon go away. The least complications are observed with this type of breast lift, when only the skin is removed. But if, when removing the skin, the branches of the nerves that are responsible for the sensitivity of the nipple are affected, then numbness in this area will be felt for some time, and then the sensitivity will decrease further. She will recover in no more than six months. However, in some cases, sensitivity may only be partially restored.

The presence of scars is considered a serious complication. Therefore, it is worth weighing the pros and cons before undergoing surgery with a large number of incisions. The scars will initially be red and have an uneven structure. In a year they will turn pale, but still will not match the skin tone. The location of the scars allows you to wear open swimsuits and cleavage; they will only be noticeable on a completely open bust.

After the operation, the breasts become slightly asymmetrical, but this defect will disappear after six months.

Women who smoke may experience vein thrombosis. It often develops precisely after breast surgery due to the negative effect of nicotine on blood vessels.

A lift cannot make your breasts firmer and firmer for life. In a few years, it will sag again, regardless of the chosen surgical technique. And yet the correct position of the nipple and areola will remain.

Rehabilitation

Recovery after mastopexy is easier than after breast augmentation. If a woman is in good condition after surgery, she can be discharged home on the second day. In the first couple of weeks, you will have to limit physical activity, not visit baths and solariums, and take recommended painkillers and antibiotics.

After the operation, it is recommended to wear compression garments along with a bandage for a month (around the clock). It has a gentle massage effect, supports the breasts, and therefore swelling quickly disappears, pain is less noticeable, and the rehabilitation period is easier.

The popularity of mastopexy among women is growing every day. This can be explained by the fact that as a result of the operation, sagging, sagging breasts are eliminated, and they become toned and high due to the redistribution of soft tissues. A woman gains self-confidence, complexes and worries about her breasts disappear. But before correcting the mammary glands, it is worth studying all the pros and cons of mastopexy, possible complications, so that a beautiful bust becomes pride for many years.

"Pencil Test"

There is a so-called “pencil” or pen test, when it is placed under the breast and if it falls, then the distance between the inframammary fold and the lower pole of the mammary gland is no more than 2 cm. Then the breast can be raised by endoprosthetics with a high-profile implant (when the gland is raised due to the implant ), or a periareolar lift (when the skin is removed around the nipple-areolar complex, then, in the form of a sun, it is carefully evenly redistributed around the nipple and sutured using a purse-string suture with cosmetic sutures). Then it contracts, is redistributed and a scar is formed around the areola. But this method is not selectively suitable for everyone, because it has its pros and cons.

Pros and cons of periareolar mastopexy

Firstly, this method is suitable for the most minimal level of mammary gland ptosis (or prolapse) and for flabby, oddly enough, thin skin, in which, according to the laws of physics, when the skin does not offer resistance during scarring and a thin scar is formed. If the skin is dense and elastic, then the scars will be very rough during a periareolar lift. One of the main disadvantages of this type of lift is the so-called “tomato effect” or (tomatoes sindrom). With this effect, the chest loses its conical shape. If we imagine it schematically - we are removing a sector, as it were - we can imagine a tower whose middle has been removed and the top spire has been lowered down - and it turns out that it is thereby flattened. Therefore, it is not shown to everyone. It is believed that a lot of skin cannot be removed at all using this method, and many surgeons mistakenly use this type of lift because it is quick and simple. And often, even with fairly decent ptosis, implants are placed and the skin around the areola is simply removed. Of course - even if we imagine according to the law of physics, the entire weight of the gland ends up on this scar - and as a result, it naturally stretches. Therefore, with a large volume of the gland, even if the ptosis is not very large, this type of lift is not suitable, because the scars will completely stretch.

Vertical lift

It’s even better to replace it with a vertical lift. Many patients simply psychologically reject this method and believe that there will be a rough scar; they do not want this transverse scar from the nipple-areolar complex to the inframammary fold. Many surgeons, unfortunately, happily agree and follow the lead of patients and make their choice in favor of a periareolar lift. However, just with a vertical lift, even with a small degree of ptosis, this scar is like an anchor - it redistributes the gravity of the gland and in the postoperative period gives much better aesthetic results than the periareolar one. That is, on the one hand, there will be more scars, but the shape of the gland will not lose its conical shape and the scar itself will be more neat, and the scars will not stretch around the areola.

T-shaped mastopexy

If the distance from the inframammary fold to the lower pole of the gland is more than 4-5 cm, then a lift is 100% necessary, even better with a T-shaped component. When the nipple-areolar complex is already low, for example, with the 4th degree of ptosis, when the nipple is already below the inframammary fold, not only the gland is lowered, but also the nipple-areolar complex is below the inframammary fold - in this case, of course, it is necessary to do a breast lift with T- figurative component. This allows not only to make the gland conical, raise the nipple-areolar complex, create a beautiful upper slope and remove excess, but also achieve a more long-term result in the long term. The scars are very neat.

A man's eye rejoices at the sight of the ideal shape of a woman's breasts. However, under the influence of external factors, sometimes there is a change in the size of the mammary gland and its displacement downwards. Most often, this is caused by an age-related decrease in the volume of glandular tissue, a decrease in the fat layer against the background of a sharp weight loss, or a sprained ligament during breastfeeding. In this case, only the intervention of a plastic surgeon can help.

The essence of vertical mastopexy

Mastopexy is a plastic surgery that changes the shape of the breast. Most often it is performed with the so-called. A facelift can be done using several types of skin incisions.

Vertical mastopexy is so named because of the skin incisions that run from the edge of the areola down to the inframammary fold. This lifting technique is the most gentle and allows you to preserve the natural shape of the breast. Complications rarely develop after it.

Indications and contraindications for surgery

The main indications for vertical mastopexy are:

• nipple prolapse of 1-2 degrees, that is, to the level of the inframammary fold or slightly lower;
• significant sprain as a result of lactation;
• the direction of the areola and nipple downward;
• congenital structural feature of the mammary glands;
• breast asymmetry;
• discrepancy between the volume of glandular tissue and the skin;
• the presence of stretch marks on the skin.

Vertical mastopexy helps a woman correct the shape of her breasts and improve external qualities. Since sagging breasts often cause complexes associated with a limited choice of clothing and, especially, a swimsuit, the woman experiences severe discomfort and stress. Mood instability can even lead to neurosis. will relieve emotional discomfort and give a woman self-confidence.

There are a number of conditions in which mastopexy is not worth performing, as it can cause harm:

• severe endocrine pathologies (hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism);
• low blood clotting;
• chronic diseases of internal organs in the stage of decompensation;
• the presence of tumor processes and neoplasms, including in glandular tissue.

Breast plastic surgery for ptosis that occurs due to breastfeeding can be performed no earlier than a year after the cessation of lactation.

In addition, vertical mastopexy should not be performed on women who are planning pregnancy and subsequent breastfeeding. This is due to the fact that all the efforts of the surgeon will come to naught, and after lactation is completed, breast ptosis will reappear.

Patients with large breasts should remember that after mastopexy, the mammary gland may descend again over time. In most cases, repeated surgery is required.

All about the operation

Any surgical intervention requires serious preparation. Otherwise, the risk of complications and unsatisfactory results increases significantly. First, you should exclude the presence of any diseases for which surgery is impossible. To do this, the following analyzes are carried out:

• clinical blood test;
• biochemical blood test to clarify the function of the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and determine the level of protein metabolism;
• general urine analysis;
• blood coagulogram, which gives an idea of ​​the level of coagulation;
• analysis for infections (HIV, hepatitis, syphilis).

Before vertical mastopexy, in case of transfusion of blood components, it is necessary to determine the group and Rh factor.

After performing the tests, you need to consult a mammologist, who will most likely prescribe mammography for women over 35 years of age and ultrasound of the mammary glands for younger patients.

Instrumental examination methods include ECG and fluorography. If there are concomitant diseases, it is necessary to obtain the opinion of a specialized specialist; for example, if you have diabetes mellitus, you should be examined by an endocrinologist.

About two weeks before mastopexy, the patient should stop drinking alcohol, taking certain medications, and also try not to get too cold.

Immediately before surgery, you will need to discuss all the details of breast surgery with the surgeon and discuss the expected result. You will then be examined by an anesthesiologist who will determine the most appropriate anesthesia and remind you not to consume food or liquids for at least eight hours before your breast lift.

Vertical mastopexy technique

Vertical mastopexy is usually performed under general anesthesia. The patient is unconscious during the intervention.

At the first stage, after treating the skin with an antiseptic, the surgeon marks the incision lines using a marker. Next, the skin is dissected with a scalpel. The incision line is made around the nipple in the periareolar area, and then several parallel incisions are made down to the inframammary fold.

At the second stage, excess glandular tissue is removed, if necessary to give the breast the desired shape.

The third stage involves removing the skin located between the incisions and then suturing the edges with an invisible internal seam. It is applied using absorbable material, so it does not need to be removed. Sometimes the surgeon also removes part of the areola to reduce its diameter.

Rehabilitation period

After vertical mastopexy, drainage is left in the suture area, which is necessary for the outflow of fluid from the soft tissues. This reduces the risk of inflammation and reduces pain. The drainage is removed after about a day. Then the woman should remain under the supervision of doctors in the hospital for about two to three days. If the postoperative period proceeds smoothly, the patient is discharged home.

In the first week after plastic surgery, you may experience pain, swelling and discomfort in the breast area. Sometimes the temperature rises slightly. If such symptoms persist for more than 10 days, you should inform your surgeon, as complications may develop.

The postoperative wound must be treated with an antiseptic, and a sterile napkin placed on top. Typically, dressings are performed by the attending physician on an outpatient basis. Within two weeks after the breast lift, the stitches are completely tightened, and you can return to your usual work activities. However, intense physical activity and thermal treatments should be limited for several months.

It is very important for a month after surgery to constantly wear special shapewear that allows you to fix your breasts in a given position.

Possible complications and side effects

Possible complications include early side effects, which include:

• postoperative bleeding;
• impaired sensitivity (hypoesthesia, paresthesia, hyperesthesia) in the area of ​​the suture and nipple;
• suppuration and inflammation of the postoperative wound;
• swelling and formation of hematomas and bruises.

If vertical mastopexy is performed correctly and the patient complies with all the rules of the rehabilitation period, the early consequences of surgical intervention usually disappear without a trace in a couple of weeks.

Late adverse effects of breast lift include:

• the formation of a pigmented or protruding scar in the suture area;
• asymmetry of the mammary glands and their unsatisfactory shape;
• recurrent ptosis.

If the operation was successful, then the listed complications occur extremely rarely and are usually associated with the individual characteristics of the patient. This is why it is so important to conduct a complete and comprehensive examination before vertical mastopexy.

Prices for surgery

Prices for vertical mastopexy, which is the most popular procedure for breast ptosis, vary significantly depending on the clinic from 50,000 to 120,000 rubles. Before deciding on where to perform the operation, it is advisable to read the reviews of patients, because the result of treatment largely depends on the experience of the surgeon.

Vertical mastopexy allows you to correct the shape of the breast with only slight sagging. In cases of severe ptosis, excellent results can be obtained by combining a breast lift with the installation of implants.