Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast mastopexy, commonly known as a breast lift, is a surgical procedure aimed at raising and reshaping sagging breasts. This is achieved by removing excess skin, tightening the surrounding tissue, and repositioning the nipple and areola to a higher, more youthful position.
Who is a good candidate for a breast lift?
How is a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Performed?
A mastopexy (breast lift) involves an incision around the areola, a vertical incision from the areola to the breast crease, and a horizontal incision along the breast crease (as pictured).
Once the skin incisions are made, Dr Cronin will reshape and reposition the breast tissue and remove the excess skin.
Following the procedure, sterile surgical tapes are applied to the incisions, and a supportive bra or compression garment is worn to aid in healing and provide support during the recovery period.
What are the benefits of a breast lift?
Restored Breast Firmness
A breast lift removes excess skin and tightens the surrounding tissue, resulting in firmer looking and feeling breasts.
Enhanced Projection
By lifting the breasts, the procedure improves their projection, making them appear perkier and more pronounced.
Better Symmetry
The surgery can correct asymmetries in breast shape and nipple position, resulting in a more balanced appearance.
Elevated Nipple and Areola Position
The procedure repositions the nipples and areolas to a higher, more natural location on the chest, improving overall breast aesthetics.
Areola Reduction
If the areolas have become enlarged, a breast lift can reduce their size for a more proportionate look.
Can a breast lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes, a breast lift can be combined with fat grafting and/or breast augmentation in a procedure commonly referred to as a “breast lift with augmentation” or “augmentation mastopexy.”
Women who experience breast ptosis (saggy or drooping breast) and are deficient in breast tissue, require a breast lift to re-position the breast tissue, combined with the insertion of a breast implant to restore volume, known as a breast augmentation.
This is called an Augmentation-Mastopexy procedure and can be performed either as a single-stage or two-stage procedure. Dr Drew Cronin will discuss with you the most appropriate surgical plan for your circumstances.
Recovery & Aftercare
Patients are monitored in the surgical recovery room at the hospital immediately after their operation. Patient’s usually go home on the same day. A surgical bra is worn to support the breasts.
Patients are monitored in the surgical recovery room at the hospital immediately after their operation. Patient’s usually go home on the same day. A surgical bra is worn to support the breasts.
Prescribed pain medication helps manage discomfort during the recovery phase.
You will have an initial review with our nurse during the first post-operative week, and at each week until your incisions are healed and your pain has resolved. 6 weeks post-operatively you will have a review with Dr Cronin. Regular follow -ups with Dr Cronin at 3months, 6 months and 12months are also essential to monitor your surgical outcome.
Patients should avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks. Light activities can typically be resumed within a week. Dr Cronin will advise you if it is safe to resume exercise during your 6week review.
Patients are advised on proper scar care techniques to minimise scarring. We offer a scar treatment plan as an add on package for all surgical patients.
The final shape and position of the breasts will settle over several months as swelling subsides.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Before and After Gallery
Individual results will vary from patient to patient and according to factors including genetics, age, diet, exercise. All invasive surgery carries risk and requires a recovery period and care regime. Be sure you do your research and seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon before proceeding. Any details are general in nature and are not intended to be medical advice or constitute a doctor-patient relationship.
For comprehensive information on the potential risks and post-surgery recovery process, please see risks associated with surgery section towards the bottom of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
If we haven’t addressed your inquiries yet, here are some frequently asked questions that may provide the information you’re looking for. However, if you still have any remaining questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our clinic at 07 5683 0820 or via email at admin@thecoastalclinic.com.au. Our team is ready to assist you.
There are three types of breast implant surfaces available.:
Smooth breast implants have a smooth, non-textured surface. They move feely within the breast pocket and feel very soft. However they have been found to have a higher risk of capsular contracture and rupture.
Nano-textured implants have a very fine, uniform texture created using advanced manufacturing techniques. They are most commonly used by Dr Cronin as the fine texture promotes better tissue integration, helping to stabilise the implant and reduce the likelihood of movement or rotation. There is also a reduced risk of capsular contracture compared to smooth implants.
Textured- Micro textured breast implants have a more pronounced and rougher surface which improves the stability of the implant. Micro-textured implants have also been shown to reduce capsular contracture compared to smooth breast implants. Macro textured implants are no longer available in Australia.
During your consultation with Dr Cronin, he will suggest the most appropriate implant type for you.
Typically a mastopexy is performed to correct breast ptosis (droop in the breasts) while a breast augmentation is a surgical procedure aimed at increasing the size and volume of the breasts. It involves the use of implants or fat transfer to increase breast size and projection.
A breast lift, or mastopexy focuses on reshaping and lifting the breasts. A breast lift does not aim to increase or decrease breast size, however in some cases it can make the breasts appear slightly smaller due to the removal of excess skin.
As with all surgical procedures, it is normal to have scars after a mastopexy where the incisions are made to remove excess skin and reshape the breast tissue. The surgical technique applied by Dr Drew Cronin is a Wise pattern. A Wise pattern technique involves an incision around the areola, a vertical incision extending from the areola to the breast crease, and a horizontal incision along the breast crease.
At The Coastal Clinic all surgical patients are offered a surgical treatment plan.
To qualify for the medicare rebate you must have a referral from your GP and you must meet the criteria. If you are eligible, Medicare will cover some of your surgical fees. You will still incur out of pocket expenses. Dr Cronin will discuss this during your consultation.
A detailed will be provided after your consultation with Dr Cronin detailing the costs for the surgical fees, any device, implant and garments used during your procedure and estimated hospital fees. We will provide you with the contact details for the anaesthetist who will provide you with a separate quote for your surgery.
The cost of your procedure includes:
Dr Cronin’s surgical fees
Hospital fees (estimate only)
Two surgical garments
All post-operative appointments with our Nurse
All post-operative follow up appointments with Dr Cronin
There are three types of breast implant surfaces available.:
Smooth breast implants have a smooth, non-textured surface. They move feely within the breast pocket and feel very soft. However they have been found to have a higher risk of capsular contracture and rupture.
Nano-textured implants have a very fine, uniform texture created using advanced manufacturing techniques. They are most commonly used by Dr Cronin as the fine texture promotes better tissue integration, helping to stabilise the implant and reduce the likelihood of movement or rotation. There is also a reduced risk of capsular contracture compared to smooth implants.
Textured– Micro textured breast implants have a more pronounced and rougher surface which improves the stability of the implant. Micro-textured implants have also been shown to reduce capsular contracture compared to smooth breast implants. Macro textured implants are no longer available in Australia.
During your consultation with Dr Cronin, he will suggest the most appropriate implant type for you.
Preparation includes ensuring you are at your goal weight and your weight is stable for at least 3 months.
You will be required to stop smoking or vaping at least 6 weeks before and after your surgery. This is important because smoking and vaping has been shown to significantly affect patient’s post-operative recovery and will potentially compromise your surgical outcome.
Dr Cronin will also advise you during your consultation if you are required to stop certain medications.
Breast Mastopexy (breast lift) is a medical procedure and therefore has a medicare item number. To qualify for the medicare rebate, it is a requirement to get a referral from your GP to Dr Cronin and send it through to our clinic email admin@thecoastalclinic.com.au prior to your consult with Dr Cronin.
Before your consultation with Dr Cronin ensure you consider when you would like to have your surgery. You will need to consider:
When you can take time off work to recover. Allow 1-2weeks (depending on your job)
Ensure you have adequate support at home to assist if you have children.
You will also need someone to drive you home and assist you during the initial recovery period. It is a requirement during the first 24hours after your surgery that someone is present with you
Yes, a breast lift procedure can address sagging nipples in addition to lifting the overall position of the breasts. During a breast lift, Dr Cronin will reposition the nipples and areolas to a more elevated position on the breasts.
The recovery period for a breast lift can vary from person to person, depending on several factors such as the individual healing ability, and adherence to post-operative care instructions.
Over time, factors such as gravity, aging, changes in weight, pregnancy, and genetics can continue to affect the position and shape of the breasts. While a breast lift can create a lifted appearance, it cannot halt the natural ageing process or prevent the effects of these factors entirely.
While a breast lift can impact breastfeeding, many women are still able to breastfeed successfully after the procedure. Open communication with your surgeon about your future breastfeeding plans is crucial to achieving the best possible outcome.
Risks of Surgery
As part of our commitment to delivering exceptional patient care, we aim to provide you with comprehensive information regarding the general risks associated with surgical procedures, anaesthesia, and procedure-specific risks.
- Loss of nipple sensation
- Parasthesia (may be numbness or tingling)
- Asymmetry
- Inability to breast feed
- Puckering at wound edges
- Loss of nipple sensation
- Parasthesia (may be numbness or tingling)
- Asymmetry
- Inability to breast feed
- Puckering at wound edges
- Acute medical event: Heart or lung complications (e.g. heart attack, stroke, chest infection)
- Death
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolisms (PE)
- A sore throat/breathing difficulty due to the general aesthetic or the endotracheal tube, which can cause swelling, noisy breathing or discomfort
- Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia
- Wound infection, which may result in treatment with antibiotics or further treatment/surgery. This is more likely in a smoker or a person with diabetes.
- Heavy bleeding from the wound, which may result in further treatment/surgery
- Wound discharge
- Poor or slow healing of the skin; wound breakdown; skin necrosis
- Wound dehiscence (wound ruptures along the surgical incision)
- Bruising and swelling. This will start to subside in one to two weeks but can take up to several months to settle
- Abscess/Haematoma/Seroma/Oedema
- Pain and discomfort
- Allergic reaction to sutures, dressing, antiseptic solutions
- Altered or loss of sensation in and around the treated area, which may persist for some months, numbness maybe permanent
- Adverse scarring
- Revisionary surgery
- Psychological impact of change in appearance
- Unsatisfactory cosmetic appearance
