When faced with life’s challenges, it is essential to seek support to enhance your outlook. While age and various circumstances may alter your body, you should not resign yourself to these changes without taking appropriate action. If weight loss or pregnancy has resulted in a loss of breast volume, Dr. Souvik Adhikari is here to assist you. A highly regarded Cosmetic & Plastic Surgeon based in Kolkata, India, Dr. Adhikari possesses unparalleled expertise and a commitment to helping you achieve the breast lift you desire.

Q: What is Breast Lift/ Mastopexy Surgery?

A: Many women develop sagging breasts which can be due to many factors. This alters the normal aesthetic shape of the breasts. Breast Lift or Mastopexy is a surgical procedure which is designed to lift up sagging breasts along with the nipple-areola complex so as to achieve a more youthful appearance of the breasts. This process typically involves removal of the excess skin in the breasts along with tightening of the breast tissue and lifting it up thus perking up the profile.

Q: Why is a Breast Lift surgery needed? Is there anything additional that needs to be done?

A: Over time, the skin’s elasticity diminishes as collagen and elastin levels decrease. This can lead to a loss of firmness and fullness in the breasts as they age. A breast lift in Kolkata can help elevate and reshape breasts that have begun to sag.
Additionally, the mastopexy procedure may involve reducing the size of the areolas, which are the pigmented areas surrounding the nipple. If you have a smaller chest due to hereditary factors or breastfeeding, combining implants with mastopexy can enhance breast size and improve their visual appeal.
The details of your breast lift will be customized based on your body type and cosmetic aspirations. Consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Adhikari to discuss your options and develop a plan.

Grade 1 (Mild Sagging) – Nipple at the level of inframammary fold

Grade 2 (Moderate Sagging) – Nipple below inframammary fold but above the lower breast contour

Grade 3 (Significant Sagging) – Nipple below inframammary fold and at lower breast contour

Glandular Ptosis – Nipple at or above inframammary fold but the overall breast tissue hangs below it

Pseudoptosis – Nipple at or above inframammary fold but the breast tissue appears saggy due to loose skin giving the appearance of true ptosis

Parenchymal Maldistribution – Uneven or abnormal distribution of breast tissue due to underdeveloped lower breast pole, high inframammary fold or general lack of breast fullness often leading to tubular or hypoplastic appearance

Every surgical intervention necessitates thorough evaluation. The most suitable candidates for mastopexy are individuals who are in good health, possess emotional stability, and have realistic expectations with sagging breasts due to any cause especially following massive weight loss and breastfeeding. A breast lift can enhance breasts of any size; however, the longevity of the results may be compromised if the individual experiences significant and frequent weight changes. Women with larger, sagging breasts might need a breast reduction to achieve the best possible outcome.

Candidates for Breast Lift
Additionally, new mothers recovering from pregnancy and breastfeeding are also potential candidates for mastopexy. This procedure can help restore skin elasticity and increase breast volume. Nevertheless, those planning to have more children should consider delaying their breast lift surgery. While mastopexy does not present specific risks for pregnant women, subsequent pregnancies are likely to alter breast size, potentially diminishing the results of the surgery. Therefore, it may be prudent to wait until childbearing is complete before proceeding with a mastopexy.

Routine investigations including blood tests, chest X ray and ECG are done in every patient and any abnormality is detected in any of these tests is corrected prior to surgery.
Apart from these routine investigations, a breast ultrasound in patients less than 35 years of age and a mammogram in patients older than 35 years is done to detect any other abnormalities in the breasts and to serve as a baseline against which further ultrasounds or mammograms may be compared.

Have a light meal the night before surgery.
If you are feeling anxious, take an anxiolytic.
If you are taking any medications for blood pressure or any other problems you should take those unless prohibited by your surgeon.
Get a good night’s sleep!

Do not take anything by mouth, not even water from the morning of surgery as your surgery would be done under general anesthesia.
You can have a bath if you feel like.
If you are taking any morning medications and have been informed by your surgeon to take the same then take it with a small amount of water.
Go to the surgical facility in time and get admitted and sign all the forms.

Markings would be done first and the final location of the nipples would be demonstrated to the patient.
Any final questions the patient might be having are answered at this stage.
The patient is next put under general anesthesia and surgery started.
The incisions are made, the excision is done and drains inserted and final closure done.

When addressing patients with small breasts that exhibit only a slight degree of sagging, the surgeon may opt for the donut mastopexy technique. This method is relatively straightforward and efficient, preserving nipple sensitivity while minimizing scarring to the area surrounding the areola.

In cases where the patient possesses moderate to large breasts with a moderate degree of sagging, Dr. Adhikari may opt for the vertical technique. This approach entails making a vertical incision that runs from the areola to the breast fold. After the required modifications are completed, the skin is stitched back together to achieve an aesthetically pleasing uplift.

Women experiencing significant drooping, sagging, or large breasts may opt for the traditional anchor procedure. This method involves making incisions that encircle the areola, extend vertically down to the breast crease, and run along the lower crease of the breast.

You will need to stay in the surgical facility for 1 day and would be discharged home the next day after surgery.

Oral antibiotics would be given to you and you would need to take these so as to reduce any chances of infection.

Pain killers would be given to you along with antacids and these would be needed to reduce the pain which subsides drastically after the initial 2-3 days.

You would be advised to wear a sports bra for a couple of weeks after the procedure: this supports the breasts and lessens pain.

Drains would be removed after an appropriate time frame.

Take rest for the first few days after surgery. Bed rest is not recommended, ambulation is advised.

Avoid strenuous activities for around 2-3 weeks after surgery.

Clean the breasts 2-3 days after surgery with soap and water and then apply an antibiotic ointment and dressing as advised by your surgeon.

Follow-ups with the surgeon are recommended at appropriate time frames so as to assess healing, once the surgeon is assured that the wounds have healed well, he will then remove the stitches.

Scar lightening gels would be advised to you after the wounds have healed completely.

Similarly massaging your breasts would be of help once the wounds have healed.

Bleeding

Infection

Alteration in Nipple Sensation

Loss of Nipple-Areolar Complex

Poor scarring

Unsatisfactory Result

Delayed healing and wound disruption

Asymmetry and others

Kindly visit the gallery section for real patient pictures:
https://www.indiacosmeticplasticsurgery.com/cosmetic-gallery/

The cost of breast lift surgery varies widely among centers and hospitals and can extend up to Rs 2 lakh or even more in corporate hospitals, Prof. (Dr.) Souvik Adhikari performs this surgery at a very reasonable cost with 1 day stay at the facility such that his services can be afforded by even the underprivileged population. Please contact with him directly with your pictures or drop into his chamber for an examination to get a quote.

Dr. Adhikari possesses the expertise to enhance not only your breast appearance but also your overall well-being. His technique utilizes minimal incisions around the areola and breast fold, which can be discreetly concealed, even when wearing swimwear or undergarments.

Breast Lift Outcomes

Mastopexy offers a remarkable transformation. You may notice an immediate elevation in your silhouette, with improvements continuing over time. Swelling will diminish within two weeks post-surgery, revealing a firmer and more toned figure. The complete results of your breast lift may take up to three months to fully develop, as your body adjusts to its new shape. Good things require time to be fully appreciated!

Regarding longevity, the advantages of mastopexy are enduring. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you enjoy stunning results for many years.

Q: What is the duration of a breast lift surgery?
A: It ranges usually between 2-3 hours depending on the type of mastopexy that is done.

Q: How long does a Mastopexy last?
A: Several factors determine the answer. Genetics, age, dietary habits, and exercise significantly impact the durability of your healthy physique. Maintaining a stable weight and avoiding unhealthy foods can help ensure that the results of mastopexy are long-lasting.

Q: Is Breast Lift Surgery safe?
A: Yes, in expert hands it can be a quite safe surgery. Dr. Adhikari prioritizes your well being above everything else and follows the principle of “Safety First” so you can be confident that you are in expert hands.

Q: What about scars after a Breast Lift Surgery?
A: Scars will always be present after breast lift surgery. However, with proper management, scars will fade with time. Dr. Adhikari will guide you regarding this.

Q: When can I go to the gym after a Breast Lift Surgery?
A: Usually 3 weeks after surgery.

Q: Will breastfeeding be affected after a Breast Lift Surgery?
A: Yes, sometimes it can be affected so please have a discussion with Dr. Adhikari regarding the same prior to the procedure.

1. Gruber RP,  Jones HW Jr. (1979). The “donut” mastopexy: indications and complications. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 65(1)34-38.
2. Karnes, J., Morrison, W., Salisbury, M. et al. (2000). Simultaneous Breast Augmentation and Lift. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 24(2)148-154.
3. Regnault P. Breast ptosis. Definition and treatment. Clin Plast Surg. 1976 Apr;3(2):193-203.
4. Wagner RD, Lisiecki JL, Chiodo MV, Rohrich RJ. Longevity of ptosis correction in mastopexy and reduction mammaplasty: A systematic review of techniques. JPRAS Open. 2022 May 13;34:1-9.
   https://www.jprasopen.com/article/S2352-5878(22)00033-X/fulltext