Breast Lift Sydney
Designed to remove excess skin on the breasts, a breast lift, or mastopexy, can lift the breasts to a suitable position for the patient’s body shape. During a breast lift, the nipples and areola can also be repositioned to suit the shape of the lifted breasts.
Patients may undergo a breast lift to address skin laxity that has occurred after significant weight loss, the natural aging process or pregnancy and breastfeeding. The procedure can be combined with a breast augmentation using breast implants if patients also wish to increase breast size.
Dr Jeremy Hunt has extensive experience in performing breast lift mastopexy procedures.
Before & After Breast Lift
The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors, including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise. Some images may have the patient’s tattoos, jewellery or other identifiable items blurred to protect patient identities.
Your consultation at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney
Suitable breast lift candidates
An important aspect of the consultation process is to determine whether or not you are a suitable breast lift candidate. Suitable candidates for a breast lift want to address skin laxity around the breasts and the positioning of the breasts. A breast lift does not address the size of the breasts. Ideal candidates will be in good health, at a healthy and stable body weight and have realistic expectations. It’s important that candidates will be able to follow recovery instructions after the procedure, such as taking time off work, stopping certain medications and limiting physical activity.Your breast lift mastopexy steps
The steps of a breast lift mastopexy need to be tailored to the needs of each patient. After discussing your personal needs and assessing your unique characteristics, Dr Hunt can create a procedure plan detailing information such as the chosen incision pattern. Understanding the steps of the procedure will help you know what to expect during recovery, your final results and how scarring may look.Preparation
Preparing for a breast lift will be important to help minimise procedure risks. You may need to avoid taking certain medications or supplements that can thin the blood, quit smoking, avoid alcohol and undergo tests to ensure your suitability for the procedure. It’s a good idea to follow a healthy diet and stay hydrated in preparation for your procedure, as it will be important to maintain a healthy and stable weight.Recovery
Your recovery steps will be personalised to consider the complexity of your procedure. Patients are often instructed to limit physical activity, wear a surgical support bra or compression garment, avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements, and follow instructions for wound care. During your consultation, you can also be given an overview of your recovery timeline, including when you can resume certain activities and when you may be able to see full results.Costs of a breast lift
Since the costs of a breast lift will vary from patient to patient, you’ll be able to receive a quote during your consultation after discussing your procedure plan. Your costs will cover surgeon fees, anaesthesia fees, hospital fees and fees associated with recovery.
The Breast Lift Procedure
You will discuss the details of your breast lift procedure during your consultation at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney. Dr Jeremy Hunt will explain the procedure steps and the chosen incision techniques.
When designing your procedure, he’ll need to consider factors such as your age, the condition of your breasts and your skin, and your expected results.
Breast Lift options
Lollipop incision
Anchor incision
Peri-areolar (donut) incision
Crescent incision
Your breast lift procedure will be performed in your chosen hospital under general anaesthesia.
The primary goal of every breast lift procedure is to elevate the breasts to a suitable position for each patient. Depending on the patient’s needs, a variety of techniques can be used during a breast lift mastopexy.
Before the procedure, your breasts will be marked to determine the positioning of your nipples and breasts.
During the procedure, your chosen incision type will be used to allow for appropriate access to breast tissue. Dr Hunt can reshape the breast tissue and tighten supporting structures. He can move the breasts higher on the chest wall to a suitable position. If necessary, the nipples and areola can then be resized and repositioned to suit the breasts. Excess skin can be removed as required before the incisions are sutured closed or closed with surgical adhesives.
A breast lift is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing patients to return home on the same day. Patients will not be able to drive home after the procedure and will need to arrange to be picked up from the hospital. The incisions will be covered with dressings and drains may be placed to prevent fluid build-up. You’ll receive instructions on how to manage wound care and when the drains will be removed. You will need to wear a supportive bra provided after your procedure to help support your breasts during the healing process.
Combining a breast lift with a breast augmentation using implants
If a patient wishes to address the size of the breasts, a breast lift may be combined with a breast augmentation using implants. The goal would be to lift the breasts as well as increase the size, according to the patient’s personal preferences. There are a variety of options involved in a breast augmentation, such as different breast implant sizes, shapes, profiles and placements. If a breast lift will be combined with an augmentation, the further steps that will involve placing the implants will be discussed during a consultation.Recovery Information and Steps
What to expect
Patients can experience pain and discomfort after the procedure, which can be at its most significant during the first few days of recovery. You may be prescribed pain medication to help manage this. In the earlier days of recovery, you’ll need to follow wound care instructions, such as changing bandages. You’ll receive advice on when any drains placed will need to be removed.
After the first week of recovery, you will likely experience bruising and swelling, which is normal as the body heals. As per your personalised advice, you may be able to slowly resume your normal daily activities, such as light walking and work. During this time, you will still need to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and certain movements such as raising your arms above your head or bending over. Your ability to return to work will depend on the nature of your job. For example, if your job requires heavy lifting and strenuous exercise, you may need to take a longer amount of time off from work than those with a sedentary job.
By the first month of your recovery, you will likely be able to resume your daily routine as normal, while still avoiding heavy lifting and exercise that focuses on the chest. Usually, you’ll need to wear your supportive bra for about six weeks, before you can transition to an underwire bra at 8 weeks.
As for results, it can vary from patient to patient. Some patients can see their results after six months, while others may need up to a year.
General recovery instructions
You’ll receive personalised recovery instructions from Dr Hunt, tailored to your personal circumstances and the details of your breast lift.Common recovery instructions to follow include:
- Slowly resuming light activities after one week
- Avoiding strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for about six weeks
- Following wound care instructions, keeping incisions clean and dry
- Avoiding excessive heat exposure
- Taking prescribed pain medication
- Avoiding blood-thinning medication and supplements
- Avoiding smoking and alcohol
- Aiming to sleep on your back
- Wearing a supportive bra as instructed
- Following a healthy diet and staying hydrated
- Attending check-up appointments
Costs of a Breast Lift in Sydney
You will receive detailed cost information during your consultation at Aesthetic Edge in Sydney.
A breast lift mastopexy is a personalised procedure, meaning that costs will vary from patient to patient.
- The personalised steps of your breast lift
- Your surgeon’s fees
- Your anaesthetist’s fees
- Your hospital fees
- The costs associated with recovery and aftercare
Combining a breast lift with other procedures
Some patients may choose to combine a breast lift with other procedures, such as a breast augmentation with implants, depending on their procedure goals. This is because a breast lift does not address the shape or size of the breasts, while an augmentation can. An augmentation on its own will also not address skin laxity and the position of the breasts or nipples, so it may be necessary to combine the two procedures.
If a breast lift is combined with another procedure, this will factor into the total costs.
Medicare and health insurance
Patients will only be eligible for Medicare rebates or cover from health insurance if the procedure is being performed for reasons that are deemed medically necessary.
An example of medical necessity for a breast lift can include to address excess weight caused by the breasts, that may be leading to issues such as neck or back pain, or skin conditions caused by excess skin.
Your eligibility for Medicare or health insurance coverage will need to be discussed during your consultation. If you are undergoing a breast lift for purely cosmetic reasons, you won’t be eligible for a Medicare rebate or health insurance coverage.
Risks and complications
The risks and complications of a breast lift mastopexy can include:
The risks and complications of a breast lift mastopexy can include:- Infection
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Pain
- Delayed healing
- Bruising
- Scarring
- Breastfeeding complications
- Temporary or permanent sensation changes
- Accumulation of blood (hematoma)
- Accumulation of fluid (seroma)
- Asymmetry
- Reactions to anaesthesia
- The need for additional surgery