Are there risks and complications to a breast lift surgery?

As with everything in life, there is always risk and reward. Fortunately, cosmetic surgery in general, and breast surgery in particular, has low risk and high reward. Breast lift, or mastopexy surgery, is performed to lift breasts that have an unappealing shape. They may be droopy from aging or post pregnancy changes, or simply have a shape that a woman may be unhappy with. An implant or a small reduction can be combined with a mastopexy to optimize the final result.The risks of mastopexy can be divided into two categories- general risk, similar to all surgery, and specific mastopexy risks. The general risks include bleeding, infection,anesthetic risks, etc. More specific risks such as non cosmetic scarring and unacceptable final shape/size can also occur. Scarring, in particular, is discussed in great detail in my personal practice in the two preoperative consultations. Depending on the severity of droopiness and the extent of surgery performed, scarring risk can be increased. In other words, a very droopy breast that needs an aggressive, more involved mastopexy possibly including an implant, can increase the risk of a thicker or wider scar. This can be revised at a later date, if desired. Once again, these risks are relatively uncommon and can usually be dealt with satisfactorily. The great majority of mastopexy patients are thrilled overall with their new appearance.


How long do the results last?

The results of mastopexy are usually long lasting- over 10 years or longer. However, it must be made clear that with any cosmetic surgical procedure, the patient and their result are not "frozen in time." All patients continue to age and will have a different appearance as the years pass, whether surgery is performed or not. In other words, a woman' s breast will have a different shape at age 20, 30, 40, 50 and so on. Cosmetic breast surgery can maintain a more youthful shape as we age and will allow a patient to preserve this appearance longer than if not performed.