Mastopexy: what you need to know about breast lift surgery.

Mastopexy, called breast lift surgery, is a surgical procedure that aims to lift and firm the breasts when they sag. This laxity can result from factors such as the pregnancy, breastfeeding, aging, or significant weight loss. Although not medically required, this procedure is performed for aesthetic purposes. It helps patients achieve a more balanced silhouette and improve personal well-being and daily comfort.

Results may vary based on several factors: the initial degree of sagging, the surgical technique used, the patient’s healing capacity, and adherence to postoperative care. The final breast appearance will be visible after complete healing.

Before a mastopexy, several preoperative steps are essential to ensure the procedure runs smoothly. First, a consultation with the plastic surgeon assesses your health, addresses your questions, and provides precise information about the operation. Medical tests, such as a blood test or a mammogram, are prescribed to rule out contraindications. Physical preparation requires stopping certain medications, tobacco, and reducing alcohol intake. The mental aspect is addressed during the consultation to reassure you and help you approach the procedure with confidence. All steps are essential and must be followed without exception.

The preoperative consultation with the surgeon is a key step in mastopexy. It gathers essential patient data: expectations, medical history, potential allergies, and current treatments. After this assessment, the procedure can be scheduled. It begins with local or general anesthesia. Following anesthesia, the surgeon makes incisions that vary based on the required corrections. The surgeon reshapes the breasts by removing excess skin, elevating tissue, and placing implants if needed. The nipples and areolas may be repositioned. The surgeon closes the incisions with sutures and covers them with dressings. The operation lasts about two to three hours. Postoperative recovery follows.

Each patient who has undergone a mastopexy requires careful postoperative monitoring. After surgery, the breasts are bandaged and the patient must wear a compression bra to reduce swelling. It is possible to feel a certain pain or discomfort requiring analgesics.

After a mastopexy, it is important to rest. Physical activity should be stopped for several days. Avoid any movement that engages the pectoral muscles. The incisions require special care to promote swift, proper healing. Hygiene and dressing guidelines must be followed to the letter. Schedule postoperative visits so the surgeon can monitor each phase of recovery and evaluate the procedure’s outcome.

Like any surgical procedure, mastopexy carries potential risks and complications. Although the procedure is safe, it is important to understand the risks that may occur. Among the most common complications is infection, which can occur despite precautions to maintain a sterile environment during surgery. Hematomas, defined as collections of blood beneath the skin, may form, cause swelling, and require additional treatment.

The permanent scars are potential side effects of mastopexy. Their appearance varies by individual and surgical technique. There is a risk of altered sensitivity around the nipples and areola, which may lead to temporary or permanent loss of sensation.

The breast asymmetry is another risk, although surgeons take every measure to achieve symmetrical outcomes. However, it is important to note that natural differences between the two breasts may persist after surgery. Healing difficulties can also occur in individuals with sensitive skin or a predisposition to hypertrophic scars. Finally, changes in the nipples, such as shifts in position or size, may also occur. These risks are systematically discussed during the preoperative consultation, where the surgeon explains possible scenarios and answers patient questions.

Signing the consent form is an essential step in this process, as it confirms that the patient has been informed of the surgery-related risks and accepts them before proceeding with the procedure.

Après une grossesse ou un allaitement, il est fréquent que les seins subissent des modifications visibles : perte de volume, relâchement cutané, chute du mamelon. Ces changements, souvent perçus comme inesthétiques, peuvent motiver certaines femmes à envisager un lifting mammaire. Toutefois, cette intervention ne doit pas être réalisée trop tôt. Il est recommandé d’attendre que le corps ait complètement récupéré, en général entre 6 et 12 mois après la fin de l’allaitement. En effet, la forme et le volume des seins ont besoin de se stabiliser pour garantir un résultat durable. Une mastopexie pratiquée trop précocement pourrait être compromise si une nouvelle grossesse survient ou si des variations hormonales importantes affectent à nouveau la poitrine.

Par ailleurs, bien que certaines techniques chirurgicales permettent de préserver les canaux lactifères, une mastopexie peut, dans certains cas, affecter la capacité à allaiter. C’est pourquoi cette intervention est généralement conseillée aux femmes qui ne prévoient plus de grossesse. L’évaluation de la ptôse mammaire, notamment la position du mamelon par rapport au sillon sous-mammaire, permet au chirurgien d’identifier les patientes éligibles à cette chirurgie. L’objectif est de repositionner l’aréole, retendre la peau et redonner une forme harmonieuse aux seins.

Enfin, adopter un mode de vie sain après l’opération, avec une alimentation équilibrée, contribue à prolonger les effets du lifting.

En résumé, le lifting mammaire post-grossesse peut être une solution efficace et sûre, à condition de bien planifier l’intervention et d’avoir des attentes réalistes quant aux résultats.

• SPECTOR J.A. & al. Mastopexy. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery (2013).

• RAFFOUL W. & al. Systematic review of outcomes and complications in nonimplant-based mastopexy surgery. Journal of Plastic Aesthetic Reconstructive Surgery (2019).

• KUMBLA P. A. & al. Revision Breast Augmentation. Seminars in Plastic Surgery (2019).

• JOHNSON A.R. & al. Breast Lift with and without Implant: A Synopsis and Primer for the Plastic Surgeon. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Global Open (2020).

• HERSANT B. & al. Successful breastfeeding after breast reduction surgery or mastopexy: A retrospective comparative study. Annales de Chirurgie Plastique et esthétique (2024).