Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Iowa Plastic Surgery

Over time, the effects of gravity along with the loss of the skin's natural elasticity begins to have an effect on the appearance of a woman's breasts. These factors, combined with pregnancies and nursing will often cause the breasts to lose their youthful shape and firmness.

Small amounts of droop may be corrected by an implant. Larger droop might require a shaped (teardrop) implant, and a mini lift with the scars just around the areola (donut or Bennelli lift). More droop (grade 3 ptosis or roughly more than 25 cm from the sternal notch to the nipple) will require a full lift.

We do the short scar technique whenever possible, which limits the scar to around the areola and just a vertical component (without the anchor shaped limbs).

In some cases, especially after weight loss, the excess tissue on the sides can be used to add fullness to the breast.

The lift will not create

  • full, firm breasts (this would require an implant to help),
  • perfectly even, matched breasts,
  • or last forever.

The risks of breast lift include:

  • Scarring
  • Areola healing problems
  • Nipple numbness
  • Potential inability to breastfeed,
  • “Bottoming out” or settling
  • Differences in size or shape of the areola
  • Hematomas
  • Infections
  • Stitch abscesses

You must quit smoking to reduce the risks of a breast lift.

Contact us for more information on Breast Lift (Mastopexy)