BREAST LIFT (Mastopexy)

A breast lift, also known as Mastopexy, raises and reshapes sagging (ptosis) breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the nipple, areola and breast higher on the chest. For women whose breasts have lost firmness and elasticity, it is an effective procedure that results in a lifted, more youthful contour.

A Mastopexy or breast lift is a surgery which is done for women who desire to have fuller, perky breasts. After pregnancy, breast feeding, a major weight loss, or the gravity affects of normal aging the breast loses its youthful fullness and the nipples fall to the lower portion of the breast. To reclaim an uplifted appearance, an increasing number of women are choosing to have a breast lift. During your initial consultation, Dr. Secretan will take the time to understand your goals and discuss realistic expectations. With his skill and surgical expertise, Dr. Secretan has helped many women achieve the look they desire.

PROCEDURE

Breasts will be tightened and reshaped so that they assume a rounder and more lifted appearance. Breast lifts can be performed using a few different procedures. Which technique Dr. Secretan uses will depend on the size and shape of your breasts, and how much lift you need. This procedure is a day procedure and it is performed under general anesthesia. Before surgery you’ll be marked by Dr. Secretan in the standing position to determine the new lifted position of the nipple on your breast. Dr. Secretan will make an incision (cut) around the areola. The cut will usually extend down the front of your breast, from the bottom of the areola to the crease. It may also extend along the sides of the areola. He will lift and reshape your breasts and will move your areolas to the correct position on the new breast shape and may also reduce their size. Finally, incisions are closed with stitches, sutures, skin adhesives, or surgical tape. Dr. Secretan usually tries to place the incisions in parts of the breast where they will be less visible.

DEGREES OF PTOSIS

breast ptosis breast lift lethbridge alberta

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A BREAST LIFT?

The best candidates for breast lifts are women hoping to correct droopiness in their breasts. Sagging, or ptosis, is often a symptom of aging and gravity, but can also affect women as a result of weight fluctuations or large breast volume. Breasts can also take on a droopy appearance after pregnancy or nursing. Candidates should be in good overall physical and mental health, at a stable weight, non-smokers and have realistic expectations about their results.

Women with some sagging in their breasts, a lack of firmness or fullness, or downward-pointing nipples may be good candidates for this procedure. A breast lift will raise and reshape the breasts, but keep in mind that additional pregnancies and/or weight fluctuation can compromise your results. A breast lift may also interfere with your ability to nurse or lactate or breastfeed. If you plan to have more children, you may want to hold off on your breast lift surgery until your family is complete.

WHAT PROCEDURES CAN BE COMBINED WITH A BREAST LIFT?

Breast lifts are often combined with other breast enhancement procedures. For instance, many women choose to undergo a combined breast lift and breast augmentation to increase cup size as well as improve breast placement or fix sagging.

About Your Surgery

YOUR CONSULTATION

The consultation, which typically lasts 45 minutes, will be your time to spend with Dr. Secretan, as well as the staff. We will discuss your goals and expectations and review with you the various options that exist in performing the procedure. Ample opportunity will be provided to ensure your personal comfort level with both the procedure and with us. Once you have decided to proceed with a breast lift, we will do our best to schedule your surgery as conveniently for you as possible.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

Breast lift risks include:

Anesthesia risks
Bleeding or hematoma formation
Infection
Poor healing of incisions
Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
Breast contour and shape irregularities
Breast asymmetry
Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
Fluid accumulation
Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Possibility of revisional surgery

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent.

SURGERY FEES

When you receive a quote for surgery from Dr. Secretan, all of the costs below are included in your quote which will enable you to know the exact payment required.

If you are considering having multiple cosmetic procedures done, speak with Dr. Secretan about the possibility of having them all done at once.

For patients whose insurance will not cover cosmetic procedures, there are financing options available. Often patients will use a credit card or a personal line of credit, however our clinic offers financing through companies like Medicard that specialize in financing for cosmetic procedures.

ANESTHESIA FEES

These fees cover the cost of the anesthetist, whose presence is required during and immediately after your surgery, and the anesthesia administered.

HOSPITAL OR PRIVATE SURGICAL FACILITY FEES

These fees cover the cost of where your surgery is scheduled to take place.

THE SURGEON FEES

In addition to your actual surgery, these fees also cover all pre-operative and post-operative follow-up appointments with your surgeon. Miscellaneous costs include the compression garment and any supplies you’ll need while you recover (such as sterile bandages).

DAY OF SURGERY

Breast lift surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, although overnight facilities are available if you are from out-of-town or coming from a distance.

BEFORE SURGERY

Do not eat after midnight the night prior to surgery. You may drink clear fluids only, up to 6 hours prior to your scheduled surgery time. Dr. Secretan will see you prior to your surgery. He will usually do a few measurements and make several standardized markings on your breasts while you are still sitting up. Breast lift surgery is carried out under general anaesthesia. Our highly skilled anaesthesia and nursing staff are there with you at all times to provide you with a safe experience in as caring and compassionate manner as possible.

SURGERY

The surgery will take between 1-1 1/2 hours. At the conclusion of the surgery, a very light bandage will be applied over the incision areas. The anaesthetist will have given you pain medication prior to the end of the surgery to minimize postoperative discomfort. From the operating room, you will be taken to our recovery area where you will stay until you are ready to go home. A recovery room nurse will be attending to you at all times to monitor your recovery and to ensure that you are comfortable.

AFTER SURGERY

Once you are ready to be discharged home, we will see you to review your postoperative instructions. You will be given a number to contact Dr. Secretan in the case of an emergency. You may also contact one of our staff should you need any advice after leaving the clinic. Because you will have been under an anaesthetic, your judgement and coordination may be affected for up to 24 hours. It is important to have a responsible adult pick you up from the clinic and stay with you the first night following surgery.

RECOVERY & AFTER CARE

Following your surgery, there are several things that you should be aware of. Most important, if there is anything at all that you are uncertain about, please make sure to contact our office at 403-381-0083 or email our help line at info@lpsa.ca.

Please contact Dr. Secretan if you experience any of the following:
• your breasts are red and feel warm to the touch
• you are running a fever over 101°F
• blood or other fluid keeps seeping through your incision
• you have chest pain or trouble breathing

*Your breasts may take between 2 and 12 months to reach their final shape.

SWELLING

This is normal after surgery and will subside gradually over a few weeks. You can minimize swelling by wearing a supportive sports bra, limiting your physical activity and applying ice packs to the breasts during the first few days. If one breast noticeably swells more than the other, please notify Dr. Secretan.

PAIN

Most patients experience some pain and discomfort following surgery. This usually subsides after several days. You will have been given a prescription for pain medication and antibiotics which should adequately control any discomfort. Please take it as prescribed on the bottle. If you experience increasing pain not responding to medication, please notify our office.

TEMPERATURE

The body temperature may rise slightly over 38°C after surgery. If fever persists after 24 hours, despite drinking liberal amounts of fluid, notify Dr. Secretan’s office.

STITCHES

Dr. Secretan uses dissolvable stitches only, so there are no stitches to be removed. Once the initial bandage has been removed it is fine to wash normally over the incision with soap and water. You can then apply a thin coat of Vitamin E oil or Dermatix to the incision once or twice daily.

BRAS

You will need to wear a surgical bra or a non-wire bra day and night for the first month after surgery. This will help to provide you with support during the early healing period. Underwire and push-up bras can be worn after the first month.

EXERCISE

It is fine to start gentle physical activity in the second week after surgery. This includes walking and stretching. Heavier activities such as jogging, aerobics classes, contact sports and upper body weights should be avoided for one month.

SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION NOW!

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