In patients with minimal sagging of the breasts, implants particularly above the muscle, often fill out and tighten the breast skin essentially providing some “lift” to the breast and lessening the need for extensive mastopexy. In any mastopexy is required, usually a penareolar (above the nipple) or circumareolar (around the nipple) excision of skin will suffice.

In patients with more severe sagging of the breasts and downward positioning of the nipple, a more extensive mastopexy is required to provide maximum lift. Full mastopexy involves excisions of skin and tissue around
the nipple and underneath the breast. Small implants can be placed at the time of full mastopexy to give the patient more fullness. Patients desiring maximum lift and significantly larger breasts require a staged procedure with full mastopexy followed by augmentation several months later so that the breast tissue can relax to accommodate the larger size implant.

For more information about Breast Lifts and to view a Breast Lift procedure in 3D, visit the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website by clicking here.