WHO IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR A Mastopexy ?

The best candidates for Mastopexy are women of good general health and whose breasts have become saggy and have lost volume with age, following child bearing, or following weight loss. If you are planning on having children, it is wise to defer this type of surgery until after having children, as it may affect your ability to breastfeed.

WHAT TO EXPECT

You will need to obtain a referral from your General Practitioner, regardless of whether surgery is performed for cosmetic or medical reasons.

Medical patients: Mastopexy may be considered medical if you suffer from breast ptosis, measured as at least two-thirds of the breast (including nipple) sitting below the lower point where the breast connects to the chest (infra-mammary fold).

If the procedure is performed for medical reasons, your surgery can attract Medicare rebates, and a percentage of your Surgeon’s, Anaesthetist’s and Hospital fees may then be claimed from both Medicare and your private health fund if you have cover. If you have Private Health Insurance, you may prefer to spend one night as an Inpatient in the Hospital. You are advised to check with your private fund that this procedure is covered. 
Medical patients only require one consultation with our Surgeon, where you will be assessed for suitability based on your individual needs, expectations, and desired outcome. The size and shape and the degree of ptosis (or loss of volume) of the breast will be assessed and the need for implants discussed. If you are considering Breast Augmentation with Mastopexy, photographs from magazines of your ideal size may be of assistance. A Mammogram may be ordered as a routine preoperative test.
Your options and preferences can be discussed in full at your Consultation with your Surgeon.

Following this consultation, you can consult further with our Cosmetic Consultants who are very experienced in the cosmetic field and discuss any issues with them.

Cosmetic patients: If performed for cosmetic reasons, you are required to have two consultations at our Practice. At the initial consultation, you will undertake an assessment for Body Dysmorphia, a condition causing intense focus, shame and anxiety over perceived body defects. At this appointment you will also be given the paperwork for your possible surgery and go through this with our practitioner, discussing the procedure and associated risks and recovery requirements. Be frank in your discussions and remember to mention any medications that you are taking and whether or not you are a smoker. 

At the second consultation, you will be assessed for suitability based on your individual needs, expectations, and desired outcome. The size and shape and the degree of ptosis (or loss of volume) of the breast will be assessed and the need for implants discussed. If you are considering Breast Augmentation with Mastopexy, photographs from magazines of your ideal size may be of assistance. A Mammogram may be ordered as a routine preoperative test. Your options and preferences can be discussed in full at this second Consultation.

Following this consultation, you can consult further with our Cosmetic Consultants who are very experienced in the cosmetic field and discuss any issues with them.

SURGERY

Mastopexy is usually performed under a General Anaesthetic as a day patient in Hospital. During surgery an incision is made along the natural contour across the breast and around the nipple areolar area. If the nipple needs relocating, an incision is made as a keyhole around this area. The excess skin is then removed from under the breast, the nipple is relocated and the flaps of skin to the sides of this area are brought down, around and together to reshape the breast. The wounds are sutured and a dressing and bandage applied.
If you elect for insertion of implants, the implant is inserted in a pocket created under the chest wall muscle prior to suturing. Where possible, your surgeon prefers to use a Le Jour Mastopexy, which eliminates the transverse scar, leaving a scar around the nipple and a vertical scar only. This reduced scar is less noticeable in swimwear and evening wear. A drain is inserted in each breast to drain away excess fluid, which may collect postoperatively.

RISK

All surgery carries some risk and uncertainty. It is impossible to predict every outcome because everyone is different. Mastopexy is normally a safe procedure providing the clients have been carefully selected, the Surgeon is adequately trained in the procedure as well as having training in general surgery. Complications in the short term include infection, which can be treated with dressings and antibiotics; and haematoma, a collection of fluid which may need to be drained. Some deficit in sensation of the breast and nipple will persist for up to six months or longer.

AFTER SURGERY – recovery

Mastopexy is invasive surgery and has a significant recovery timeframe and limitations and aftercare requirements. You will have an opportunity to discuss recovery expectations with your Surgeon at your Consultation and will receive detailed information prior to surgery in your Informed Consent paperwork.

Follow-up care and wound checks are performed by our nursing staff at our rooms on a regular basis in the post-operative stage.  You will have dressings, bandages and drains on which will need to be kept in place and assessed by our team and removed when appropriate. 

Pain may vary from mild to severe and will be managed by your Surgeon with pain relief. Swelling (which can be helped with application of ice packs), bruising and nausea is also likely. You may have trouble sleeping, which your Surgeon can provide medication for.

It will be necessary to have someone to help you at home in the early postoperative period as you will need to rest for several days postoperatively. You will be unable to drive a car in the first few days due to swelling of the area and reduced arm mobility as a result of discomfort. You will be asked to avoid lifting your arms high above your head for several weeks after your surgery so as not to put excessive strain on the suture line in its early healing stage.