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The Surgery
Be sure that you are well informed about mastopexy and everything it involves including the expected outcome, benefits, limitations and risks of surgery. If you do not feel well informed we would discourage you from going ahead with your surgery until you do.Before your procedure, Dr Cooper will make some markings on your chest while you are in a sitting or standing position. Here, you will have time to talk to Dr Cooper. He will help make you feel at ease and answer any further questions you may have.
Mastopexy is performed under general anaesthetic and takes about 2 hours, with you returning home the same day.There are several techniques used to lift the breasts. The resulting scars are either circum-areolar or circum-vertical (lollipop), depending on the degree of lift desired. Rarely, an incision under the fold of the breast may be necessary.
Following surgery your breasts will be swollen, bruised and uncomfortable. The pain should not be too severe and can be relieved by prescription medication, whilst the swelling and bruising can remain for two to three weeks. You may experience numbness of the nipples for one to two weeks as well.The area where the incisions were made will be held together with dissolvable stitches hidden inside the skin. You will have a small dressing over these areas and healing of the incision lines will take 10 to 21 days to heal. It is important to keep the incision lines dry during this time. The scars can remain red and raised for several months up to a year following surgery and will gradually flatten and fade. Once the incision line has healed and stitches have dissolved, you can help flatten the incision line with massage. You will be required to wear a support bra continuously for a minimum of two weeks post operatively.
Care must be taken with your breasts over the next few weeks. To avoid any unnecessary swelling or bleeding, do not bend over, strain or exercise or do any other activities that could increase pressure in your chest wall in the first week.Gentle activity and arm movements are encouraged in the first week. You are discouraged from performing house cleaning or other domestic duties within this time. Gentle daily exercise such as walking is encouraged from day one.
It is advisable to sleep in an upright position and not on your stomach for the first two week following surgery. You are advised not to return to strenuous exercise, such as gym classes for the first 2 weeks whilst wearing a good support bra. It is important to avoid any heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks.
Depending on the nature of your work, you will require one to two weeks off work. If your job is strenuous or requires lifting, you may need to be off for longer.
In the months following your surgery, you will be asked to return for at least one further check up. This is important, as Dr Cooper will need to asses your long term results and will be able to address any questions or concerns you may have.
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