Nipple Lift Surgery

About Nipple Lift Surgery

This involves a removal of a quarter-moon or so shaped skin above the nipple areolar complex. A nipple lift lifts the nipple areola, not the breast.

Donut Mastopexy

This involves removal a circumferential skin around the entire areola and is a hybrid between a nipple lift and a breast lift. Depending upon the design of the skin excision, the nipple areola complex can be lifted and made smaller, and the skin envelope tightened somewhat. There is little actual lifting with a donut mastopexy, it is more of a tightening.

Tear Drop Mastopexy

This involves removal of skin around the nipple areola complex and down to the mammary crease in the shape of a tear drop (sometimes called a Sno-Cone Mastopexy). This can lift the nipple areola complex, lift the breast, make the areola smaller, and tighten the breast skin envelope. It is also called the Lollipop Mastopexy because the resulting incision is in the shape of a lollipop.

Key Hole Mastopexy

This involves removal of skin around the nipple areola complex, down towards the mammary crease and skin along the mammary crease in the shape of a keyhole that one might see in an old-fashion door. This is the most powerful of the breast lifts and can lift the nipple, lift the breast, make the areola smaller, and tighten the breast skin envelope. It is also called the Anchor Mastopexy because the resulting incision is in the shape of a ship’s anchor.

Recovery from Breast Lift

After a breast lift, patients will likely experience bruising, soreness and swelling for a few days. The breasts will be in a surgical bra for about a week, followed by a support bra worn continuously for a 4-6 weeks. Stitches will be removed after one or two weeks. Most patients will be able to return to work within a week, although exercise and other strenuous activity should be avoided for about a month. Recovery might be a little longer if a breast augmentation is combined with the lift.

Results of a Breast Lift

The results of a breast lift are visible immediately after surgery and will continue to improve as swelling subsides and scars fade. Additionally, it can take several months for the incision areas to soften and for the bottom part of the breast to assume a more natural shape. Most patients who maintain realistic expectations and thoroughly discussed their goals prior to surgery are satisfied with the look of their lifted breasts. While results are not permanent, they will allow patients to enjoy a younger-looking appearance for many years to come. The larger the breasts, the more gravity will drag on the breasts making results not last as long; as a result, sometimes Dr Pritha Rakshit recommends a mini-breast reduction rather than a breast lift. This is a good alternative in women whose breasts are already on the larger side. Additionally, although some think adding an implant “lifts” the breasts, they do not. Implants make a sagging breast “look” better proportioned, but not lifted.

Risks of Breast Lift

Although a breast lift is considered a safe procedure for ideal candidates, there are certain risks associated with any type of surgical procedure, which may include bleeding, infection, and reaction to anesthesia or permanent visible scarring. These risks can be reduced by following the Dr Pritha Rakshit instructions before and after treatment.