With time, pregnancy, and after weight loss the breasts may lose their firmness. They can become droopy and the nipples descend to a lower position which is known as breast ptosis. To surgically correct this an operation called a mastopexy can be performed. The operation effectively removes the excess skin from the envelope of the breast, will move the nipple into a higher position and reshape the glandular tissue of the breast to form a more youthful conical shape. The amount of breast ptosis that you have will determine the extent of scarring. Every mastopexy includes a re-positioning of the nipple so that the minimum scarring is a circular scar around the areola. This is also an opportunity to reduce the size of the areola if this has been stretched.

Severe degrees of ptosis will require more extensive skin removal with a scar that may extend from the lower part of the nipple over the lower curvature of the breast, joining with a horizontal scar in the fold underneath the breast for the most severe forms of ptosis or droopiness. Through these excisions excess skin is removed and the glandular tissue of the breast re-shaped. Remnants of skin can also be used to secure the breast into a higher position on the chest.

A mastopexy is usually done under general anaesthesia as a day case or with an overnight stay in hospital depending upon the extent of surgery. Dressings will be in place for one week and all skin wounds are closed with absorbable sutures. Dressings will be removed after a week and we will ask you to wear a firm support bra at all times for the first month following surgery and then during the day for the second and third months after your operation. Providing you are wearing a firm support bra you can resume physical activity as soon as you feel comfortable.