Breast uplift surgery typically involves an overnight stay in hospital but can be done as a day case procedure in specific patients. Mr Morritt uses self dissolving sutures which are hidden under the skin surface for his patients so there are no stitches to remove after surgery. He does not use drains for breast uplift surgery. 

Different types of mastopexy (breast uplift)

• Wise pattern breast lift (anchor scar)
  • the most frequent type of breast uplift
  • tightens the breast in both an up-down direction and side-side
  • best option for those with severe breast sagging and/or poor skin quality
• Vertical scar breast lift (lollipop scar)
  • useful for patients with moderate breast droop and good quality skin or those having breast lift with implants
• Circumareolar breast lift (scar around areolar; also called ‘donut’ lift)
  • only suitable for breasts with very limited amounts of droop
  • more frequently used to reduce size of areolae
• Combined breast uplift with breast implant insertion (also known as ‘augmentation mastopexy’ or ‘augmented mastopexy’)
  • Lifts the nipples, improves the breast shape and increases the size of the breasts
• Combined breast uplift with lipofilling (fat injections)
  • Lifts the nipples, improves the breast shape and increases the size of the breasts without the need for breast implants. Also has the benefit of improved contour of the area where the fat is taken from e.g. thighs/abdomen.
• Breast uplift combined with reverse abdominoplasty
  • lifts the breasts and at the same time tightens the upper abdomen

• Scars
  • All surgical scars go through a normal healing process where they can be quite red for approximately 6 weeks. Between 6 weeks and three months following surgery the scars usually change to a purple/dark red colour. It can take a further 9-12 months before scars reach their final appearance which in most patients is a thin, pale, flat, painless scar. Patients with a personal or family history of bad scars following surgery or injury will be at increased risk of poor scarring.
  • Breast lift scars tend to heal well but will vary between patients and some patients may get poor scars (red, raised, painful). Bad scars are more common in patients with pale skin with dark or red hair and those in their teenage years. 
• Significant bleeding
  • results in a collection of blood in the breast that will make the breast appear swollen and may cause pain.
  • This blood has to be removed in the operating theatre
  • Low risk: affects less than 2% of patients
• Infection
  • Infections do however sometimes occur despite taking multiple precautions to reduce the chances of wound infection during surgery.
  • Infections can usually be treated with a course of antibiotics
• Asymmetry of breasts or nipples
  • almost all women have different sized/shaped breasts
  • Breast uplift can make differences between breasts and nipples more noticeable
  • There will be small differences in breast size, shape and nipple position following the surgery
• Wound breakdown
  • this is very rare but if it happens usually happens at the junction of the vertical scar on the breast and the scar in the breast crease
• Drooping with time/ageing
  • As the breast uplift procedure does not replace the patient’s skin and breast tissue for new skin and breast tissue, it is to be expected that the breasts will droop with time 
  • It is normal for the breasts to drop to some degree in the first few months following surgery but the position of the breasts then stabilises. This minor drooping is useful because it hides the scar in the crease of the breast. Patients also have more fullness in the first few weeks after surgery which wears off with time which can result in a perception of drooping when really the change in appearance is due to the breasts being less swollen. 
  • Further drooping will be accelerated with further pregnancy/breast feeding, weight change, and failing to wear bras after surgery. 
• Nipple sensitivity alterations
  • reduced nipple sensitivity occurs frequently following surgery and may affect one or both sides
  • generally improves with time but may be permanent in up to 15% of patients and is more common in those with large/droopy breast
• Nipple loss
  • this is rare but is more common in those who smoke, the obese, those with very droopy breasts and the elderly
• Fat necrosis
  • It is possible to get lumps in the breast following uplift surgery as a result of alterations in the blood supply to the fat and breast tissue within the breast caused by surgery
  • The majority of lumps like this do settle with time but this can sometimes take a few years
• Breast feeding
  • It is sometimes possible breast feed after mastopexy however this can be unpredictable. Pregnancy after mastopexy can cause the breasts to become droopy and for this reason Mr Morritt advises patients to wait until they have completed their families before having a breast uplift (mastopexy).
• Shape
  • Mr Morritt cannot promise that he can create a particular shape of breast as there are many factors responsible for the final shape that are outside his control. He can however usually give an idea regarding final shape.  If patients have particular shapes in mind it is essential to bring photos to the consultation with Mr Morritt to see if the hoped for result is potentially achievable.
• Lower pole failure
  • in some patients the lower part of the breast can relax and droop with time after surgery. The nipple position is usually ok. Revision surgery can be undertaken and usually involves removing some skin and tissue.
• General risks of surgery
  • Chest infection, DVT, PE, COVID, Death

Bra

Patients will need to wear a surgical or sports bra 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 6 weeks to support the breasts while they heal following the surgery. It is useful to have at least two bras that you can wear in rotation. It is important that the bra provides support without being overly tight. You should be able to start wearing underwired bras approximately 6-8 weeks following the surgery.

Dressings

The wounds will be covered with dressings. You will be seen approximately 1 week after the surgery to check that the wounds are healing well. Mr Morritt uses invisible dissolving stitches so there is no need for any stitches to be removed. You can shower once the dressings have been removed.

Timeframe for recovery from mastopexy

0-7 days following surgery

Mr Morritt recommends taking it very easy in the first week during surgery as this is the most frequent time to encounter problems such as bleeding following surgery if patients over do things. Patients with young children should therefore organize for help and support with childcare and housework during this period.

7-14 days following surgery

Patient’s should only have low levels of pain at this stage and will be able to gradually increase their activities e.g. walking as their energy levels allow.

3-6 weeks following surgery

Patient’s should be able to return to work approximately 2 weeks following surgery. Mr Morritt advises that patient’s should not undertake any heavy lifting before 6 weeks following surgery. Those in active jobs may therefore need to take more time off work or to modify their activities at work until they have fully healed.

6 weeks onwards

Patients can undertake all exercises without restriction.

Driving

Patients should avoid driving until they are free of pain, are no longer taking strong painkillers, and have complete control of the vehicle. For most patients this will mean avoiding driving for 1-2 weeks following the surgery.