Do I Need A Mastopexy?

A mastopexy is a great way to reshape the breasts but when it comes to achieving a good outcome, it is important for us to communicate what might be possible so that we can align our goals.
Over time the shape of the breasts can change and these changes can be accelerated by having children or losing weight, resulting in a droopy or saggy appearance to the breasts.
Many patients want to achieve a more perky appearance to rejuvenate the breast contour.
The reasons that breasts lose their perkiness is because the skin gradually stretches.
This happens over time in all of us because of the effect of gravity.

The Alternative To Mastopexy

It is not possible to give elasticity back into the skin, and so there are two options to combat the problem.

1.  To remove the extra skin and tighten the breast.
2. To add volume to the breast to fill the skin envelope and tighten the skin.

So for this reason, patients often wonder whether it is a mastopexy they need or breast implants; with a mastopexy doing the former, and implants the latter.

Option 1: Mastopexy to remove the skin and tighten the breast

Option 2: Breast Implants to fill the skin (without a mastopexy)

The main difference is the size of the resulting breasts and that will be about the same size after a mastopexy, but bigger after implants.

So it depends on how big you want your breasts to be.

If you want the breasts to be the same size as they are or smaller, then it is a mastopexy or a breast reduction that would restore the perkiness, but if you wanted them to be bigger, then implants might be all that is required.
However, if the breasts have sagged significantly, implants might not be able to fill the skin envelope enough and you may need to combine it with a mastopexy.  You can read more about a mastopexy combined with implants here.
Often if restoring the breasts to a more perky shape is the primary goal, then a mastopexy on its own is the best option. 

The Limitation Of Mastopexy

You will need to be prepared for the sort of shape that you can achieve with a mastopexy.
We always stress that gravity will continue to operate on the breast and so it tends to settle to a more natural shape without the round and full look that is associated with breast implants.
The problem comes when people want the rounded look and do not want to be bigger, because sometimes you may consider having implants just to achieve this look.
This is an option, but does carry with it the potential complications and limitations associated with implants.
This is why an in-depth consultation is always advisory, so that you can discuss your aims and objectives with your surgeon to see if a mastopexy would be suitable for you.
We can discuss whether the shape you could achieve, which can often be quite transformational to the breast, will be in line with what your goals are.
When you have a mastopexy, there will be a full and rounded look in the upper part of your breast to start off with, but over time they will settle to a more natural shape.

After mastopexy, the fullness in the upper part of the breast settles into the lower part of the breast

Our primary goal is to have a happy patient and a happy patient is one who knows what to expect and can make an informed decision as to what might be the right operation for them.
We will not dictate to you what surgery you should have, and we will always inform you of what likely outcome you can reasonably achieve.
There is never any obligation to proceed.
If you have any concerns or doubts, then it is always best to go away and think about things and consider what surgery might be the best for you.
If you would like to come to the clinic for a chat, you can email or call us on 0121 454 3680.

For more information you can download one of our guides below:

Request Our Mastopexy Guide

Request Our Breast Augmentation Guide

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