Breast Uplift

There are several reasons why you may seek breast uplift surgery. You may feel that your breasts have become saggy or droopy as you’ve aged. Alternatively, your breasts may have become ‘empty’ or deflated following pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss. This may impact your self-esteem or your ability to wear certain clothes without a bra to support your breasts.

If you are over 18, generally healthy, not overweight and a non-smoker, you are suitable for breast uplift surgery. Occasionally, some women who seek breast uplift surgery may actually not be suitable, and may require a different technique (such as a breast enlargement). If you require more volume in your breasts, this procedure can be combined with the insertion of a breast implant (breast lift with implants). During your consultation, you will be advised on whether breast uplift surgery is suitable for you.

At your consultation, you will meet Dr Kian, a fully-qualified plastic surgeon who is trained in cosmetic breast surgery. He will take a full medical history including details of medications, allergies, smoking and family history of breast cancer. Dr Kian also always takes time to understand what your goals and concerns are.

During your examination, the following will be assessed systematically and standard clinical photographs will be taken for your medical record:

• breast and chest wall measurements
• pre-operative asymmetry
• chest-wall abnormalities
• skin thickness & quality

Dr Kian will then discuss your procedure with you. He will also discuss the scar pattern that you are likely to expect. He will explain the potential risks and complications of surgery so that you make a fully-informed decision. There will be plenty of time to answer any questions that you may have and you can rest assured that Dr Kian will give you his honest, professional advice.

Dr Kian is trained in a wide range of breast uplift techniques and the scar pattern that you could expect will depend on your individual circumstances. Dr Kian will take some measurements during your consultation and discuss with you what your goals are before advising on which technique is suitable for you. Below are some of the more popular techniques that Dr Kian uses:

• Wise-pattern breast uplift – this is also called anchor shaped or inverted-T uplift. This technique is used when the breasts are very droopy and a large lift is required in the position of your nipple. This technique can also be used when a reduction in the size of your breasts is needed (see Breast Reduction). The scars for this technique will be around your areola, along the inframammary crease under your breast and a vertical scar between your areola and inframammary crease.
• Vertical scar breast uplift – this is also a popular technique of breast uplift and is also called the short scar or “lollipop” scar technique. This is a technique which is used when a smaller lift is required. The scars for this will be around your areola and a vertical scar going down from your areola to your inframammary crease.
• Small inverted-T uplift – this is a variation of the above 2 techniques where an inverted-T scar is used, however the scar under the inframammary crease is shorter than the classical Wise-pattern technique.
• Circumareolar uplift – this is a less common technique where only a small lift in the position of your nipple is required. The scar for this will only be around your areola.
• Periareolar uplift – this is a technique used when only a subtle lift in the position of your nipple is required. The periareolar scar is only partly around your areola.

Breast uplift surgery will produce immediate results and you will see that your breasts have been lifted and the shape has improved immediately after surgery. There will be some swelling from surgery, which will take a couple of weeks to subside. Full results will be visible from 6 weeks.

There is a possibility that your ability to breastfeed may be affected after breast uplift surgery. If you wish to breastfeed, it is advisable to delay breast uplift surgery until after you have completed your family.

During your consultation, Dr Kian will explain the potential risks and complications of your procedure. Some of these include:

• Scar – this will depend on the type of breast uplift surgery that you have and will be discussed with you at your consultation
• Infection – some wound infections may require antibiotic treatment.
• Seroma – this is a collection of fluid in your breast. Small seromas may be left alone if they do not produce any symptoms, however larger or symptomatic ones may be aspirated.
• Bleeding/haematoma – bleeding after surgery may require a second operation to remove the blood clot and stop any bleeding.
• Wound healing problems – occasionally, there may be areas that take a bit longer to heal due to either infection or impaired blood supply.
• Unfavourable results – this may be due to problems with asymmetry, size or shape etc after surgery. Weight loss or ageing over time will result in the breasts sagging again.

Recovery time is very individual, however for most people this will be between 7 to 14 days. We would normally advise to take a week off work, however you may return to work sooner or later depending on how you recover and the type of work that you do. You will be asked to wear a post-surgical garment or sports bra after your surgery for 6 weeks. Full results take at least 6 weeks, however this will vary from person to person.

Dr Kian believes that good aftercare is as important as the surgery itself. You will be given contact details to get in touch should you have any concerns after your surgery. You will have a clinic appointment approximately 1 week after your procedure. At this time, the wound is inspected to ensure that it is healing well and there is no infection. You will have a full review appointment with Dr Kian at approximately 6 weeks after your surgery to check that you are happy with your results and to give you long-term aftercare instructions.