Breast Lift | Mastopexy
Rediscover your feminine curves with a breast lift in Montreal
A breast lift, known medically as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin from the breast. The procedure is effective at firming and changing the appearance of your breasts.
Breast Lift – The Essentials
During your breast lift consultation, we will discuss techniques, possible complications, recovery, and price.
Technique & Scars
Advancing age, pregnancy, and weight loss may cause a woman’s breast to lose tone and sag. Breast ptosis is the medical term used to describe this condition. The severity of breast ptosis is classified into:
- Grade 1 – Mild – Nipple position descends to the level of the inframammary fold.
- Grade 2 – Moderate – Nipple position descends to a position below the inframammary fold but remains higher than the lowest edge of the breast.
- Grade 3 – Severe – Nipple position is located on the most inferior aspect of the breast and often is pointed to the ground.
Breast lift surgery uses skin excision patterns to reposition the nipple and internal lifting of tissues to restore firmness to the breast.
The “crescent” breast lift can correct very mild cases of breast sag (degree I). A crescent-shaped pattern of skin is excised at the superior edge of the areola. The nipple and areola can be elevated between 1 and 3 cm. The scar is placed at the areolar margin to diminish its visibility. Minimal correction is possible. It is ideal for patients with the mildest degree of breast ptosis.
A “Benelli” breast lift is also known as a circumareolar mastopexy. The pattern of skin excision is designed in the shape of a donut centered around the areola. The “Benelli” lift is generally considered less invasive and less effective than other methods. Dr. Chen Lee uses this technique in combination with breast augmentation in patients with mild breast ptosis (grade I).
The pattern of skin excision used for a vertical breast lift has two design components. First, a circumareolar pattern of skin excision is used to control areolar size and position. Second, a vertical excision extending from the lower edge of the areola to the inframammary crease is added to give a more pronounced lift to the breast.
The resulting scar is in the shape of a lollipop, centered around the areolar and extending inferiorly with a vertical bar-shaped scar down to the breast fold. This is a powerful breast lift effective for mild to moderate grades of ptosis. It is Dr. Chen Lee’s preferred technique for grade 2 breast ptosis.
Severe breast ptosis requires greater quantities of skin excision. This is most commonly achieved with an anchor (or inverted-T) breast lift. The pattern of skin excision is designed in the shape of the Greek symbol omega. The resulting scars are in the shape of a boat anchor or inverted-T. This breast lift is effective with all grades of ptosis.
Breast augmentation can often be performed in combination with breast lift surgery to create fuller and firmer breasts with a single operation.
Breast Lift Considerations
Details from your initial visits will be used to formulate a surgical plan to meet your desired outcome. While every patient is unique, we will show you before and after photos of breast lift surgeries performed by our plastic surgeon to illustrate the process of healing experienced by previous patients.
Patients wishing to proceed with breast lift surgery will be offered a reservation at the surgery center. A written detailed list of risks and complications will be provided. We encourage you to read it.
Below is a basic preoperative checklist that we use to prepare patients for breast lift surgery:
- 1 month prior to surgery stop use of any tobacco or substances containing nicotine and do not resume until healed (usually 1 month after surgery)
- 1 month prior to surgery stop the use of all street drugs
- 2 weeks before surgery avoid the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (eg. Aspirin, Advil, Motrin, etc.)
- In the evening and morning before surgery, shower with an acne soap such as Spectro-Jel
- It is important to fast (not eat or drink anything) after midnight before surgery
Dr. Chen Lee’s breast lift patients are usually managed as ambulatory day surgery patients at Metropolitan Surgery Center in Montreal. Our patients should expect the following:
- Plan to be at the center for half a day.
- Arrive at the surgery center on time.
- The nursing team will greet and prepare you for safe surgery.
Breast lift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia.
- To have a safe anesthetic, you must arrive at the surgery center in a fasted state (i.e. nothing by mouth 8 hours before surgery).
A breast lift typically requires 2:00 to 2:30 of operative time.
- When you wake up, you will be taken to a recovery room.
- Once the anesthetic has worn off, you will be transferred to an observation unit for 1-2 hours before being discharged home.
- A support bra will be placed prior to your discharge home.
Your safety is our utmost concern.
- You must be accompanied home by a trusted friend or family member.
- We recommend that they be present in your home for the early days following a breast lift.
Our office will call by telephone to periodically check on your progress at home. Your first office visit will be 4-7 days after surgery. The wound dressings will be changed by your plastic surgeon during your first post-operative visit.
- To reduce swelling, try to maintain a sitting or semi-sitting position.
- Sleep with pillows behind the back and below the knees for the same reason.
- You may adjust your bra as necessary for comfort
- Take short walks inside your home. Move your legs and ankles to prevent phlebitis.
- Take medications as prescribed.
Contact us immediately if:
- Bleeding
- Intense pain
- Fever
- Swollen and painful leg
While the transformative results anticipated with breast lift surgery can be exciting, it’s essential to acknowledge the potential complications. Surgery and general anesthesia are always accompanied by some risks to your general health. Although rare, there even exists the possibility of death.
A partial list of potential complications associated specifically with breast lift surgery encompasses asymmetry, deformity, infection, nipple necrosis, bleeding, delayed wound healing, re-operation, pain, loss in sensation and scarring.
During your consultation, Dr. Chen Lee will answer your questions or concerns about complications. To help minimize risks, it is important to follow the pre-and post-operative instructions provided by Dr. Lee’s office.
Financing & Convalescence
The initial office consultation for a breast lift is a wonderful opportunity to establish a healthy patient-surgeon relationship. During the consultation, our plastic surgeon will perform a breast exam, recommend a technique specific to your case, discuss the types of skin incisions, and the effect of surgery on your breast volume. In addition, the risks associated with a breast lift will be explained and provided in writing. For the patient, she should use this initial encounter to judge the professionalism and qualification of the doctor, as well as the quality of the information transmitted. With a comprehensive understanding of your goals, our plastic surgeon will be better able to achieve your objectives and make your breast lift journey safe and satisfying.
The price of a breast lift in Montreal is quoted as a “global fee”. The price quote includes the costs of the surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurses, office visits during the first postoperative year, operating room, and surgical facility fees. Revisions and touch-up surgeries are not included in the initial breast lift quotation. If general anesthesia is necessary, you will have to pay for the substantial costs associated with a surgical revision. Minor touch-up surgery under local anesthesia can often be performed at minimal expense. The customary price of a breast lift in Montreal is $9,800 to $11,800+ taxes.
Surgeries are payable in cash, certified checks (bank drafts) or Interac. We also work with and an independent credit company that offers financial payment plans for cosmetic surgery procedures. However, you should be aware that the interest rates and administration fees of this specialized company are higher than traditional financial institutions. It is often better to negotiate a loan through your personal bank or financial institution. We encourage you to do your homework and compare the true financial cost of these various financial options.
We strongly recommend a minimum of 2 weeks away from work. On occasion, some patients may be able to return to light nonphysical work (e.g. office) 7 to 10 days after a breast lift. Every patient’s experience is unique. The severity of breast ptosis and the surgical technique used may affect the above recommendations.
At your 1-month follow-up visit, we recommend a topical silicone gel to improve scar quality. The breast scars will gradually improve and fade over 6-12 months.
FAQ – BREAST LIFT | MASTOPEXY
Breast lift surgery can be combined with breast augmentation or other cosmetic surgeries such as tummy tuck. Following your breast lift, you can resume your normal activities (with certain restrictions) after 2 weeks. Most breast lift procedures are performed on ambulatory day surgery patients in Montreal.
It is normal to have many questions. Below are some of the most frequent questions asked about breast lifts that may help you decide whether the procedure is right for you.
Mild forms of breast sag, such as pseudoptosis and grade 1 breast ptosis, respond well to breast augmentation without a breast lift.
Patients with more severe breast ptosis (grades 2 and 3) benefit most from breast lift procedures that relocate the nipple-areolar complex to the apex of the planned breast mound. Often the surgery is combined with breast implants to enhance the upper pole of the breast.
Breast ptosis is defined by the inferior descent of the breast relative to the inframammary fold. The most common classification accepted by plastic surgeons uses the nipple relative to the inframammary fold to determine the severity of ptosis. The severity of breast ptosis is classified into:
- Grade 1 – Mild – Nipple position descends to the level of the inframammary fold.
- Grade 2 – Moderate – Nipple position descends to a position below the inframammary fold but remains higher than the lowest edge of the breast.
- Grade 3 – Severe – Nipple position is located on the most inferior aspect of the breast and often is pointed to the ground.
The severity of ptosis will often influence the choice of breast lift technique recommended by a plastic surgeon.
If the location of the stretch marks is below the areola, where the skin will be removed, yes. However, stretch marks located above the areola and on the sides of the breast, unfortunately, will remain after a breast lift.
Yes. A breast lift excises skin and breast tissue to relocate the nipple-areola complex and create firmness in the breast mound. The resulting breast volume will be diminished proportionally to the volume of tissue excised. Fortunately, breast implants are an option for patients who wish to maintain or enhance their breast volume while having a breast lift.
Low impact activities such as brisk walks, stationary cycling, and training on an elliptical exercise machine can be resumed 4 weeks after an uncomplicated breast lift. High impact activities such as running and high-intensity fitness classes can resume 6 weeks after surgery. Contact sports that involve the risk of skin trauma (i.e. martial arts) should be suspended for a minimum of 3 months.
We recommend planning your breast lift after you have finished having all of your children. Despite this recommendation, pregnancy after breast lift does happen. Most current methods of breast lift do not alter the gland of the breast. You will likely maintain the ability to breastfeed. However, your breast will become engorged, stretching the skin envelope. Despite the skin’s elasticity, you may lose the projection and firmness achieved from a breast lift.
