Editor’s Note: Dr. Asaad H. Samra gives Haute Beauty his need-to-know details about a breast lift, or Mastopexy, a procedure he performs at Samra Plastic Surgery in New Jersey.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Asaad H. Samra

What is a Mastopexy?

Breast lift, or mastopexy, is a procedure during which excess skin of the breast is removed and the nipple and areola are repositioned higher on the breast. The breast tissue is “gathered up” and a more youthful, perky breast is created.

How does a breast lift work?

Patients are marked before surgery in a standing position to make sure that once the patient lays down, the change in the position of the breast will not interfere with the surgical plan. The procedure is done in an operating room, typically under general anesthesia. The surgery takes about 1.5-3 hours depending on the amount of lift needed. To that end, there are different techniques employed that impact how much lifting can be done, how much shape change can be achieved and what/where the scarring will be. Examples include a crescent lift – in which an incision is made only along the top half of the areola; a vertical, or lollipop lift – in which the incision is around the entire areola and extends down to the fold of the breast; or a Wise-pattern lift – in which the incision of the vertical is done and an along the breast fold incision is also made.

Who is the best candidate for a Mastopexy?

Candidates for a breast lift are women who ideally are at or near their goal weight and do not have any future plans of having children. Any chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or hypertension, should be under control. The nipple and areola are usually below the fold of the breast when looking from the side and maybe at the bottom of the breast.

Photo Credit: Dr. Asaad SamraPhoto Credit: www.shutterstock.com

How does this treatment compare to others of the same nature?

There is no good alternative to a breast lift surgery, but there is some promise to the use of radio-frequency tools like BodyTite or perhaps even Ultherapy for more mild cases. Those that need a moderate to significant lift or change in breast shape will find that surgery is the best way to go.

What does recovery look like?

Recovery for a breast lift procedure is about 10-14 days, with most patients returning to work in just a few days after surgery.

For more on Dr. Samra, visit his Haute Beauty profile.