Breast Lift Sydney (Mastopexy)

What Will A Breast Lift Achieve?

A Breast Lift, either with or without implants, is a commonly requested procedure. This is because of the loss of volume and sagging that follow pregnancy, breastfeeding, ageing, and weight loss.

Lifting the breasts to a more attractive position on your chest wall will dramatically improve breast appearances and allow you to once again wear the clothes and swimwear of your choice.

Why Do Breasts Sag & How Does A Breast Lift Work?

As with other parts of our bodies that change over time, breasts also change. They lose firmness and volume, the internal supporting ligaments become weaker, and the skin loses its elasticity.

As a result, the breasts start to droop. These natural ageing changes are accelerated by pregnancy, breastfeeding, and significant weight loss.

The only treatment for this sagging (medically called ‘ptosis’), is surgery. And, the degree of ptosis will determine the design of Breast Lift required. 

In contrast to Breast Reduction Surgery where excess breast tissue is removed, a Mastopexy does NOT remove any breast tissue. It only removes the excess loose skin covering the breast. Therefore, your breasts will not end up smaller. Removing the excess skin has the effect of tightening the breast envelope. In turn, this causes the breast to move upwards to a higher and more attractive position on your chest wall.

If you are happy with the size of your breasts and are only bothered by the sagging, you only need to have a Breast Lift – known medically as a ‘Mastopexy’.

If, on the other hand, you have also suffered loss of breast volume and want your breasts to also be fuller, you can have implants inserted at the same time as the Breast Lift. This is called an ‘Augmentation Mastopexy’.

Who Most Commonly Requests A Breast Lift?

The main groups of women presenting for a Breast Lift are:

Young women with developmentally large breasts that have sagged from their sheer weight.
Women following pregnancy and breastfeeding due to the enlargement of the breasts in preparation for breastfeeding. Unfortunately, after breastfeeding has finished, the breasts do not return to their pre-pregnancy state because:
- there has been a loss of breast volume due to shrinkage of the milk glands; and
- the over-stretched breast skin does not return to its former tightness.
Post-menopausal women due to the progressive loss of breast tissue and skin elasticity.
Women of any age following major weight loss.

Do I Need Implants As Well As The Lift?

If you are happy with your breast size and only wish to correct the sagging, you only need a straightforward Breast Lift.

If, on the other hand, you have also lost considerable breast volume and wish to increase your breast size, you will need to have implants inserted at the same time as the Breast Lift. This is then known as an Augmentation Mastopexy.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have only a minor degree of Ptosis (known as ‘Pseudo-Ptosis’) where the breast mound has only fallen slightly below the breast crease and the nipple is still above it, you may not need a Breast Lift at all. Pseudo-Ptosis can usually be corrected by implants alone.

Degrees of Ptosis

Breast Lift Designs & Techniques

Various patterns and designs of Breast Lift exist.

Which technique you require will basically depend on your degree of Ptosis. 

Whereas very minor degrees of Ptosis (known as Pseudo-Ptosis) can be corrected by inserting implants alone, more advanced degrees of Ptosis require one of the following types of Mastopexy – each given its descriptive name based on the pattern of the incisions:

1. Crescent Mastopexy

This is the simplest form of Breast Lift. It involves removing a crescent of skin above the areola. Sometimes, the incision needs to be extended a little sideways at each end in which case it then changes its name to a ‘Batwing’ Mastopexy. This variety delivers only a minimal degree of ‘lift’ and therefore is rarely used in patients needing a Mastopexy.

2. Benelli Lift (‘Donut Lift’)

This variety of Mastopexy involves removing a ‘donut’ pattern of skin around the areola. Its ability to ‘lift’ is somewhat limited and therefore this technique has limited application. It could appeal to those women who do not have severe ptosis and are prepared to accept less ‘lift’ to avoid the scarring of the Lollipop and Anchor designs.

3. Vertical Mastopexy (‘Lollipop Lift’)

This variety of ‘Lift’ may be recommended for moderate degrees of sagging without excessive skin stretch.

The incision is made around the areola and down the centre of the breast. Removing the excess skin tightens the breast envelope. In turn, this causes the breast, areola and nipple to move upwards to a higher, more aesthetic position on your chest wall.

This design is not suitable for all cases. It sometimes requires touch-up surgery to correct minor skin irregularities in the fold under the breast.

4. Wise Pattern Mastopexy (‘Anchor Lift’)

This is the most extensive design of ‘Lift’ and is used for all major degrees of sagging.

Named after the pattern of the incisions made on the breast, it is the commonest design of Mastopexy. The scar pattern resembles an upside-down ‘T’ or anchor, hence its name.

The incision starts around the areola and continues down the centre of the breast to join a horizontal incision in the fold under your breast.

Removing the excess skin tightens the breast envelope. In turn, this causes the breast, areola and nipple to move upwards to a higher, more aesthetic position on your chest wall.

As with all other patterns of Mastopexy, no breast tissue is removed, so your breasts will not end up smaller.

How Is A Breast Lift Done?

All Breast Lifts in Sydney are performed in a Licensed Hospital under General Anaesthesia administered by our Specialist Anaesthetist. 
Having it done under a General Anaesthetic, you will feel no discomfort at all. 
Your surgeon will either allow you to return home after the surgery or have you stay overnight – in which case you can return home the next day after the doctor checks you. 
If you are not staying in hospital, you can go home after 1-2 hours in Recovery. However, you cannot drive or go home alone. You must be accompanied by a responsible adult who can be with you at home during the first 24 hours.

Potential Risks & Complications of Breast Lift Surgery

Although surgery and anaesthesia nowadays are considered generally safe, both do have potential risks and complications which include:

Specific to Breast Lift:

Post-operative bleeding and possible hematoma formation which could require a return to Theatre for drainage.
Infection
Seroma (fluid collection under the breast skin) requiring one or more aspirations.
Fat Necrosis (death of fat tissue) within the breast leaving hard lumps for investigation.
Asymmetry of the breasts or nipples.
Numbness of the breast or nipple, usually temporary, rarely permanent.
Partial or total loss of Nipple & Areola
Raised & thickened incision scars if you are prone to them, or pigmented scars if you have brown or Asian skin.

General Risks:

Allergic reaction to medications, sutures, dressings, or antiseptic solutions.
Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and its potential to cause life-threatening Pulmonary Embolism. To reduce the risk of DVT, Calf Massagers can be applied for the entire duration of your surgery to prevent the blood in your leg veins from pooling and clotting.
Adverse Reactions to Anaesthesia or Medication: The safety of anaesthesia nowadays in Australia is well established. Nevertheless, potential risks exist with all anaesthesia and unexpected reactions can occur. These may include nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions ranging from minor to severe. Respiratory failure, heart failure, heart attack and stroke are rare but documented risks of any general anaesthesia.

Watch Our ‘Mastopexy’ Animation Video

Breast Lift ‘Before and After’

Breast Lift Cost Sydney

Breast Lift (no implants)

Surgical Fee: $12,000 – $16,500 depending on the design of ‘Lift’ required.
Additional costs include Hospital Fee & Anaesthetist Fee.
We will provide you with a detailed itemised quotation at the end of your Initial Consultation once your technique and duration of your surgery have been determined.
Follow-up appointments up to 6 months are included.

Can I Claim a Medicare or Private Health Insurance Rebate?

Unfortunately, only those patients who meet Medicare’s stringent criteria of eligibility are able to qualify for a partial Medicare Rebate.