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Breast Lift

Mastopexy Surgery

Montreal - Laval

Lift and Reshape Your Breasts

Why Choose Dr. James Lee Plastic Surgery for Mastopexy Surgery?

With years of experience and a keen eye for aesthetics, Dr. James Lee offers personalized breast lift solutions tailored to each patient's unique needs and desires. Our state-of-the-art facility in Montreal, Quebec, provides a comfortable environment for your transformation. Dr. Lee's expertise in advanced mastopexy techniques prioritizes natural-looking results with minimal scarring, helping you achieve the youthful, uplifted breast profile you desire.

Breast Lift at a Glance

  • Procedure Time: 2.5 – 3.5 HRS
  • Recovery Time: 2 – 6 weeks
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Tailored Beauty

Overview

A breast lift (or “mastopexy”) is a cosmetic surgical procedure used to lift and reshape sagging (ptotic) breasts resulting from pregnancy, breastfeeding, fluctuations in weight, and/or aging. By rearranging the breast tissue and raising the nipple position while removing excess skin to tighten the surrounding skin envelope, a mastopexy can help restore a firm, more youthful breast profile.

Achieving Harmony

Breast Reduction vs. Mastopexy

While both procedures can improve the shape and position of the breasts, they serve different purposes:

Mastopexy (Breast Lift):

  • Lifts and reshapes sagging breasts
  • Does not significantly change breast size
  • Ideal for women satisfied with their breast volume but unhappy with sagging

Breast Reduction:

  • Removes excess breast tissue and skin
  • Reduces breast size and lifts the breasts
  • Ideal for women experiencing physical discomfort due to large breasts

Dr. Lee only offers mastopexy procedures, focusing on lifting and reshaping the breasts without significant size reduction. If you're primarily concerned with breast sagging rather than size, a mastopexy may be the ideal solution for you. During your consultation, Dr. Lee will assess your needs and recommend the most appropriate procedure to achieve your desired results.

Restore Youthful Contours

Ideal Candidates

The best candidates for a breast lift procedure are healthy women who:

  • Are non-smokers
  • Have a stable and relatively normal body weight
  • Are satisfied with their current breast size
  • Have realistic expectations regarding the results of the procedure

Are bothered by one or more of the following breast-related issues:

  • Sagging (ptotic) breasts
  • Breasts that have lost their youthful shape and firmness
  • Breasts that appear flatter (“deflated”) have an elongated shape or are pendulous
  • Nipples that fall below the breast crease when the breasts are not supported
  • Nipples/areolas point downwards
  • Stretched breast skin and enlarged areolas
  • Breast and/or nipple asymmetry

Modern Approaches to Breast Lift Surgery

The Procedure

Anesthesia

A breast lift procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia. Though less common, the procedure can also be performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation.

Techniques

A breast lift can be performed through a variety of techniques. Regardless of the breast lift technique used, an incision is required to remove excess skin in order to lift and reshape the breast.

Incisions/scar Pattern And Location

  • Excess skin within the incision pattern is removed, and wounds are closed in multiple layers with absorbable sutures.

This technique is most often used in cases of severe ptosis (sagging), where there is a larger amount of excess skin.

Wise Pattern Mastopexy

  • The incisions used to perform a Wise pattern mastopexy will result in an “anchor-shaped” (or “inverted-T”) scar that circles the areola, extending vertically down to and along the breast fold.
  • Excess skin within the incision pattern is removed, and wounds are closed in multiple layers with absorbable sutures.

This technique is most often used in cases of severe ptosis (sagging), where there is a larger amount of excess skin.

Vertical Mastopexy

  • The incisions used to perform a vertical mastopexy will result in a “keyhole” (or “racquet-shaped”) scar that circles the areola and extends vertically down to the breast fold.
  • Excess skin within the incision pattern is removed, and wounds are closed in multiple layers with absorbable sutures.
  • This technique avoids the horizontal scar component required by the Wise pattern technique.

Periareolar Mastopexy (“Doughnut Mastopexy”)

  • The incisions used to perform a periareolar mastopexy will result in a scar that circles the areola.
  • The size of the areola is reduced by removing a “doughnut” of areolar and breast skin. The outer margin of the reduced areola is then reattached to the surrounding skin with absorbable sutures to lift the breast.
  • This technique results in the least amount of visible scarring of all the available breast lift techniques.

Although scars are permanent and visible on the breast, they are well concealed when wearing a swimsuit or brassiere.

Lift, Shape, Renew

Combined Procedures

Breast Procedures

A breast lift will not significantly change the volume of your breasts. One of the following combined procedures could be a more suitable treatment option for women with ptotic breasts who are also looking to either increase or decrease the volume of their breasts:

Mastopexy-augmentation (Breast Lift With Implants)

  • Women who are suitable candidates for a breast lift procedure but who are also interested in enhancing the volume of their breasts should consider the option of having a combined mastopexy-augmentation procedure.
  • A mastopexy-augmentation offers patients the benefits of both a breast lift and breast augmentation procedure in a single operative setting.

Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty)

  • Women who are suitable candidates for a breast lift procedure, but who would also like to have smaller breasts, should consider the option of having a breast reduction procedure.
  • A breast reduction procedure uses incision patterns which are very similar to those used to before a breast lift procedure; however, in addition to removing skin, a breast reduction procedure removes excess fat and breast tissue before lifting the breast.
  • Please refer to the section on Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty) for a more detailed description of this procedure.

Other Body Contouring Procedures

  • Patients who are also bothered by excess sagging skin in other areas of their body could consider combining their breast lift with another body contouring procedure (i.e. “tummy tuck” and/or liposuction). Combined procedures offer patients the advantage of treating multiple areas of their body in one operative setting with a shorter overall recovery period.
  • See also mommy makeovers

A “mommy makeover” is a combination of cosmetic surgical procedures to address changes in a woman’s body following childbirth. The most common procedures that are combined include:

  • Breast lift (mastopexy) or breast lift with implants (mastopexy-augmentation)
  • Abdominoplasty
  • Liposuction (usually of the abdomen and lower body)

Achieve Your Ideal Breast Profile

Preoperative Consultation

Dr. Lee will perform a thorough medical evaluation during your consultation to ensure that you are medically fit for surgery. He will also revise your medication list, as certain medications may need to be temporarily stopped before your surgery.

After carefully evaluating your breast anatomy and assessing your aesthetic goals, Dr. Lee will review your available surgical options and help you choose the breast lift technique that will allow you to achieve your desired results. The following factors will be taken into consideration by Dr. Lee throughout the decision-making process: your body weight and height; your breast size and shape, the size and position of your areolas; the degree of breast sagging (ptosis); as well as the quality, elasticity, and amount of excess breast skin.

Since smoking is known to be associated with poor/delayed wound healing, wound dehiscence, wound infections, and increased scarring postoperatively, smokers will be asked to stop smoking 4 weeks before and after the surgery.

Patients will also be scheduled for routine pre-operative blood testing and an electrocardiogram 4 weeks minimum before surgery. Dr. Lee may also recommend that you undergo a pre-operative baseline mammogram, as this helps detect future changes in your breast tissue. If necessary, further recommendations will be made once the results of these tests have been reviewed.

Navigating Your Breast Lift Recovery

Mastopexy Recovery

The operation is performed on an outpatient basis, and patients are permitted to go home a few hours after surgery. There will be dressings over your breasts after surgery. You will also be given a surgical support bra to wear for the first 4 to 6 weeks. Before leaving our facilities, you will be given specific instructions on how to care for your breasts and surgical wounds throughout your recovery.

It is imperative that you follow these recommendations in order to minimize the appearance of your scars and to optimize your final results. Dressings should be left in place until your first post-operative visit with Dr. Lee, at which point he will assess your wounds and if necessary, apply new dressings.

You will experience some discomfort; however, this can be controlled with the pain medications that will be prescribed for you. Some swelling and bruising are expected for the first 3-4 weeks after surgery. Although the results of your breast surgery will be immediately apparent, it may take up to 6-12 months for you to completely heal and achieve your final look.

Most patients are able to return to work or school after about a week of convalescence. For the first 4-6 weeks, patients are asked to sleep on their backs and to avoid bending over, lifting their arms above their shoulders, or lifting anything over 5 pounds. Light exercises are permitted at 2 weeks, while regular exercise and activities can be resumed at 4-6 weeks.

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Customized Contours

Mastopexy Results

You'll notice an immediate change in your breast shape and position after surgery. However, it takes time for swelling to subside and tissues to settle. Initial results will be visible within the first few weeks, but your final results will continue to refine over the next 9-12 months..

A breast lift can provide long-lasting results, but it doesn't stop the natural aging process. The longevity of your results depends on factors such as skin elasticity, lifestyle, and weight fluctuations. Many women enjoy their enhanced breast shape for 10-15 years or more. Maintaining a stable weight and wearing supportive bras can help prolong your results.

Mastopexy Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks and complications of breast lift surgery?

  • Risks associated with anesthesia
  • Bleeding (hematoma)
  • Infection
  • Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
  • Scarring
  • Fluid accumulation (seroma)
  • Poor wound healing
  • Persistent postoperative pain
  • Breast contour and shape irregularities
  • Excessive firmness of the breast
  • Potential inability to breastfeed
  • Potential loss of skin/breast tissue where incisions meet each other
  • Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola
  • Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
  • Potential of fat tissue deep to the skin dying (fat necrosis)
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Possible need for revision surgery

What about post-operative scarring from breast lift surgery?

Scars form as the body’s natural response heals tissues. As with any scar, the extent of post-surgical scarring depends on a number of modifiable factors (i.e. avoidance of UV light exposure, tension-free wound closure, appropriate wound care, etc.) and non-modifiable factors (i.e. patient age, comorbidities, skin type, genetics, etc.). While it is not possible to perform scar-free surgery, Dr. Lee makes every effort to minimize the appearance of your post-surgical scars through careful pre-operative planning, the use of meticulous surgical technique, and by ensuring appropriate wound care and follow-up postoperatively.

It is not unusual for scars to appear red and be slightly raised/firm for the first 4-6 weeks following surgery. Scars will flatten and become paler over time and can take up to 12 months before achieving their final appearance.

Dr. Lee will thoroughly discuss these risks (and possibly others) with you and answer any questions you might have prior to obtaining your consent for surgery.

What results can I expect?

After a mastopexy, you can expect:

  • Lifted, firmer breasts
  • Improved breast shape and symmetry
  • Repositioned nipples and areolas for a more youthful appearance
  • Enhanced breast contour and proportion
  • Boosted self-confidence in your appearance

Remember that while a breast lift reshapes and lifts your breasts, it doesn't significantly change their size. If you desire more volume, you might consider combining your lift with breast augmentation.

Can I combine a breast lift with other procedures?

Yes, many patients choose to combine their mastopexy with other procedures such as breast augmentation, tummy tuck, or liposuction. Dr. Lee can discuss the possibility of combined procedures during your consultation.

How soon can I exercise after a breast lift?

Light activities can usually be resumed within 6 weeks, but more strenuous exercises, especially those involving the chest muscles, should be avoided for 3 months. Dr. Lee will provide you with a detailed post-operative care plan.

Schedule a Consultation

Schedule a consultation with trusted board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. James Lee to begin your journey toward lasting, authentic confidence in Laval, QC.

2950 Rue Lucien-L'allier, 3rd floor,
Laval QC H7P 0H8

(514) 664-2076

Mon - Fri: 9 AM - 5 PM

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