A breast enlargement with uplift can also be known as a breast augmentation mastopexy.
It is an operation that restores shape and volume to the breasts that have “descended” usually as a consequence of age or motherhood. One of the conspicuous features of breast ptosis (drooping) is the associated descent of the nipple. The level of this descent determines the type of operation required.
What you need to know about an breast enlargement with uplift
A breast enlargement with uplift is a challenging operation with a documented revision rate of around about 20%.
The operation aims to return the nipple to an anatomical position and to reshape the breast tissue and accommodate a breast implant placed either underneath the breast or underneath the muscle.
Placing underneath the muscle is usually indicated in very skinny patients. By placing the implant under the breast in skinny patients, runs the greater risk of developing rippling and the implant being visible in the cleavage area.
A breast enlargement with uplift operation takes approximately two hours to perform and is undertaken under a general anaesthetic.
Following breast enlargement with uplift surgery, in which drains will be used, it is normal for patients to recover in the hospital for between 1 – 2 days. On discharge we would advise you to wear a supporting bra; either a maternity bra or a sports bra.
Complications of a breast enlargement with uplift operation include, scarring, post-operative infection, post-operative bleeding, loss of nipple sensation and rarely, nipple necrosis.
Clearly if there is a degree of asymmetry, it is the intent of surgery to address this but some form of asymmetry may still persist and should be regarded as being a normal variant.
The surgery also involves the use of implants and it is normal practice to use silicone implants although saline implants are available.
The placement of an implant will cause the local tissues to generate some scarring and this is known as a capsule.
Capsules can tighten and cause pain over time. The use of textured implants has reduced the risk of capsular contracture to approximately 8%.
In recent years a small proportion of patients worldwide have developed abnormalities in the capsule known as an anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). This is a rare form of lymphoma (a type of lymphatic cancer). A small proportion of these patients have died as a result of developing this problem and in some cases patients have required treatment such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Sub-glandular implants
Implants are placed on top of the Pectoralis Major muscle.
This is reasonable in patients with sufficient thickness of skin, fat and breast tissue but in thin patient can result in the implant becoming visible along the cleavage.
Sub-pectoral implants
Implants are place beneath the Pectoralis Major muscle.
This is advised in thin patients as it adds an extra layer of tissue between the implant and skin preventing implant edge from being visible in the cleavage area.
The risk of this happening at present is extremely rare, quoted at approximately 1 in 12,000. This compares to the average risk of developing a breast cancer of 1 in 14.
ALCL is less likely to develop in patients with smooth implants and therefore you would need to make a considered choice to forgo textured implants with the risk of developing capsules several years down the line, or to choose a textured implant with a very small chance of developing anaplastic large cell lymphoma in future years. If you were to choose a shaped implant, unfortunately these are only available in textured form.
By considering to undertake this operation there is a chance that further surgery will be required in years to come, either because you develop capsules or the implant ruptures (risk low), or age related changes occur which require further mastopexy.
Risks of breast augmentation mastopexy
Frequent
Scarring
Bruising
Swelling
Delayed healing
Altered nipple sensation
Infrequent
Bleeding
Infection
Asymmetry
Delayed healing
Over / under correction
Adverse scarring
Haematoma
Malposition of nipples and / or implants
Fat necrosis
Seroma
Ptosis off implant (double bubble)
Capsular contracture – the need for explantation/re-augmentation and the cost implications
"I am absolutely delighted with the outcome of the free flap/DIEP reconstruction.
The last two years have seen some significant challenges with breast cancer diagnosis, mastectomy (with cannonball) and just getting on with life with anastrazole.
Having a reconstruction which looks and feels like a normal boob has helped hugely to put that well in the past."
FO
Patient
Expertise, huge care and attention
"Thank you so much for your expertise, huge care and attention. I am thrilled with the results!"
LH
Patient
Life-changing result
"I just wanted to thank you (and your team) for the life-changing result of my top surgery.
This will provide me with the freedom that I’m excited to enjoy, including being able to go swimming and actually staying cool in summer! All jokes aside, you have helped to mark a new chapter in my life, for which I am incredibly grateful… ALL the best."
J
Patient
What you need to know...
Consultation
It is an operation that restores shape and volume to breasts that have “descended".
Stay Required
Following breast enlargement with uplift surgery it is normal for patients to recover in the hospital for between 1 – 2 days.
Time
A breast enlargement with uplift operation takes approximately two hours to perform.
Anaesthetic
A breast enlargement with uplift operation is undertaken under a general anaesthetic.
