Mastopexy (Breast Lift)

without Implants

A mastopexy (breast lift) and The raising and firming of the breasts can give long-lasting and more natural-looking results.

Many women, while satisfied with their breast size, still feel unsure about their breasts for a variety of reasons. Mastopexy (breast lifts) can help balance uneven breasts, reshape sagging breasts following pregnancy and breastfeeding, raise the position of downward pointing nipples and areolas, reduce the size of the areolas and increase the firmness of soft breasts.

Dr Lim is experienced at raising and firming the breasts by removing excess skin to tighten the surrounding tissue. In some cases, fat injections can also be performed to increase upper pole fullness or improve cleavage lines. Dr Lim will discuss this with you at your consultation.

The mastopexy (breast lift) procedure can be performed, as long as the natural breasts are fully developed. Please be aware that the size and shape of your breasts will continue to be affected by weight loss and gain, pregnancy, ageing and other natural parts of life following your procedure. The result of breast lift surgery is longer lasting for women with smaller breasts.

The exact procedure used in your mastopexy (breast lift) surgery, and the required incision, will differ for everyone, depending on the size and shape of your breasts and the changes that need to be made to achieve the desired result.

The incision is commonly made around the areola, while further incisions may be required vertically down the breast (the lollipop incision) and along the breast crease (the anchor-shaped incision).

Dr Lim will do his best to minimise scarring, and the surgical method, required incision and any concerns you may have will be discussed with you in the consultation process.

After consultation with Dr Lim, your mastopexy (breast lift) surgery will be performed under general anaesthetic in an accredited hospital. The procedure takes about three hours and you can expect to stay in the hospital overnight.

After surgery, you will wake up with a large bandage around your chest and you may have drains to remove any accumulated fluid in your breasts. Dr Lim will review you the next day and prescribe analgesia and antibiotics that will aid healing and reduce the potential for infection. Your bandage and drains will then be removed and you will be provided with a surgical bra for discharge.

My Klinik staff will stay in touch with you after the procedure, monitor your progress and answer any questions or concerns as they arise. You’ll have reviews with Dr Lim one week, three weeks, one month and three months after surgery.

Our goal is to make your experience as supportive as possible — Dr Lim and the My Klinik staff are always willing to answer any questions you may have.

Dr Lim’s 2023 Breast Lift Guide

Breast Lift Guide
Breast Lift Guide

Pre and Post-Operative Care

  • You must fast prior to your procedure — do not eat, drink (even water) or chew anything for at least six hours before your procedure. The hospital will ring you the day before your procedure to confirm your admission time.
  • If you have a gastric band or sleeve, you will need to have a fluid diet the day before your surgery and fast for at least eight hours on the day of your procedure.
  • Notify Dr Lim of any medications that you are currently taking.
  • Do not take any medication that contains aspirin, or any anti-inflammatory or herbal medication for two weeks before your procedure. Aspirin thins the blood, which can result in unnecessary blood loss during your procedure.
  • Do not smoke for four weeks before and four weeks after your procedure. Smoking decreases blood flow to the skin and may delay the healing process.
  • Do not drink any alcohol for two days before and two days after your procedure as it can interfere with the anaesthetic you will be given on the day.
  • Vitamin C may help reduce your healing time and is recommended for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery.
  • Do not wear any nail polish, make-up or jewellery to the hospital and leave any valuables at home.
  • You will need to wear comfortable, loose clothing that does not need to be pulled over the head or face before and after surgery. We will supply you with a soft bra to wear for the first few days. We recommend bringing a crop top or a supportive full cup bra (pre-operative size, no underwire) with you to the hospital.
  • Dr Lim will normally visit you in the hospital the morning after your procedure.
  • When you wake up you will have a firm bandage around your chest and a drain in each breast. The drains will be removed the following day and you will be discharged. You will also be provided a surgical bra to wear for the first week.
  • General anaesthetic can take a few days to recover from — it can be quite normal to feel a little slow or out of sorts for a few days.
  • It is crucial that you finish the course of antibiotics you are prescribed to prevent any post-op infection. Dr Lim will also prescribe oral pain relief — please contact My Klinik if this doesn’t control your pain.
  • After your one-week post-op review with Dr Lim, you will need to wear either a crop top or a supportive bra (no underwires) for the next three months.
  • Please comply with the following restrictions:
    • Avoid lifting your arms above your head for two weeks.
    • Avoid sexual activity for two weeks.
    • Avoid heavy lifting (including children) for the first three weeks.
    • Do not drive for one to two weeks.
    • Avoid sporting activities for four to six weeks.
  • Dr Lim will remove the tape over your incision sites three weeks after your operation.
  • You may start applying vitamin E cream or oil to your scars once the tape is removed. This will help with healing and is recommended daily for three months. You may also like to apply silicone sheeting, which Dr Lim will advise you on.
  • Do not smoke for eight weeks after your procedure as this may slow the healing process and affect wound healing.
  • My Klinik nursing staff will contact you to make sure that you are feeling comfortable and to confirm your one-week post-op checkup with Dr Lim.
  • Contact My Klinik if any of the following develop:
    • A temperature higher than 38°C or chills
    • Heavy bleeding or fluid from any incision or drain site
    • Increased pain in either breast
    • Redness around the incisions that is spreading
    • Tenderness and marked enlargement of either breast.
  • Dr Lim and the nursing staff are available to you as you recover — should you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact My Klinik. For after-hours concerns, please contact the hospital where you had your surgery and they will be able to contact Dr Lim as required.

Mastopexy (Breast Lift) FAQs

If you are satisfied with the size of your breasts but are concerned about one or more of the following, mastopexy may be an option for you:

  • You are unhappy with the downward pointing position of your nipples
  • Your breasts are sagging
  • Your breasts have lost their contour or shape.

Breast lifts are best suited for patients in good physical health, who don’t smoke and who have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure.

Individual factors and personal preferences will help you and Dr Lim to determine your appropriate breast size, the location of the incisions required and the amount of skin to be removed.

After making the incision, Dr Lim removes excess breast tissue and skin, moves the nipple and areola to a higher position, and then brings together the skin surrounding the areola to reshape the breast. If required, the areola may also be made smaller at this time. The procedure usually takes three hours to perform.

Dr Lim will discuss with you the best method and the required incision for your desired outcomes during the consultation process.

Your first consultation with Dr Lim will take around 45 minutes and you are most welcome to bring a support person with you. Due to social distancing measures as a result of COVID-19, the support person may not be able to enter the rooms (depending on the number of persons in the rooms at that particular time).

Dr Lim will take the time to discuss the procedure with you, the changes you desire, and any other issues related to the appearance of your breasts that you feel are important to you. This will help Dr Lim understand your expectations and determine if they are achievable.

Dr Lim will explain the risks of surgery and discuss the methods of breast lift surgery with you. Your breasts will be assessed, and a few measurements and photographs will be taken to plan the procedure.

You do not have to make the decision to proceed with the surgery at this initial consultation. You will be given a written quotation and information to take home to read.

Dr Lim will examine your breasts and consider factors such as the size and shape of your breasts, the quality of your skin and the position of your nipples and areolas.

Please come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. This will include information about any medical conditions you have, medications you are currently taking, allergies you have, other medical treatments you have received and any previous surgery or mammograms you have had.

Please discuss with Dr Lim any plans for significant weight loss or future pregnancies. Current surgical techniques may retain the ability to breastfeed, but Dr Lim will discuss this in more detail with you. A second consultation is required if you wish to proceed with surgery.

In some cases, Dr Lim may recommend a baseline mammogram or ultrasound before surgery. Following breast lift surgery, you will still be able to perform breast self-examination and should do so every month. You will still be able to have regular mammograms after surgery.

Avoid products that contain aspirin, vitamin E, glucosamine, herbal supplements, fish oil or krill oil for four weeks before surgery. We also strongly recommend avoiding alcohol, and not smoking for eight weeks before and after surgery. Smoking can negatively affect the healing process.

On the day of surgery, patients should wear comfortable, loose clothing that does not need to be pulled over the head or face. Don’t wear any make-up, jewellery or nail polish.

We want to make this experience as supportive as possible — you will be given all pre-operative instructions prior to your procedure but please don’t hesitate to call My Klinik if you have any questions or concerns before your surgery.

Dr Lim performs all surgeries at fully accredited hospitals — Castle Hill Day Surgery, Holroyd Private Hospital and Westmead Private Hospital. Mastopexy (Breast lift) surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and you can expect to be in hospital for two to four days.

Please contact the hospital a day before surgery to confirm your admission and fasting time. On entering the hospital, you need to report to the admissions desk and the staff will direct you through the admission process. Dr Lim and the anaesthetist will both see you prior to surgery and Dr Lim will make some markings on your breasts.

After the procedure, you will spend some time in the recovery room where you will be closely monitored until you are fully awake and returned to your rooms. You will have elastic bandages or garments around your breasts and you will have surgical drains on both sides to drain away fluid that may accumulate.

The first days after surgery are usually the most uncomfortable and painful, particularly when you are moving around or coughing. Like most operations, it is not painless; you will be prescribed pain medication during this period and Dr Lim will provide a prescription for you upon discharge. It is also normal to feel tired and a little slow for a day or two following a general anaesthetic.

You will have dressings over your incisions and will be able to shower 48 hours after surgery. Your bruising will subside over the next two weeks, while swelling will take a month or so to go down. Avoid straining, bending and lifting during this time as these activities may increase swelling or cause bleeding. You may be required to wear a crop top or bra day and night for the first couple of weeks — Dr Lim will advise you on this.

While Dr Lim does his best to minimise scarring, it is an inevitable part of surgery. Scars will be red and raised for several months but will flatten and fade over time.

The sensation around the nipples and areolas is often reduced and may take up to a year or so to return to normal.

Everyone is different, so the recovery period following this procedure varies from person to person — most patients are back to their normal routine in approximately three weeks.

Your breasts will be sensitive for around one month following surgery and they should be handled according to your own level of comfort — sexual activity should be restricted for a few weeks.

To protect the breasts while they are healing, avoid strenuous exercise or lifting anything heavier than a kilogram for three to four weeks. You should also avoid driving for at least three weeks.

Returning to work depends on the demands of your job — you may be able to return to light work within one to two weeks. Dr Lim will discuss your individual situation with you before and after your surgery.

We endeavour to make sure our patients are as informed as possible. While some of the potential risks seem frightening, it is important for you to be aware that they can occur. During consultation, Dr Lim will take you through the risks involved.

Some of the possible complications are:

  • Infection
  • Temporary or permanent loss of sensation in the nipple and areola
  • Temporary or permanent skin discolouration and pigmentation changes
  • Accumulation of blood (haematoma) in the breast which requires drainage
  • Asymmetry
  • Fat necrosis
  • Partial or total loss of nipple and areola tissue
  • Inability to breastfeed.

Naturally, breasts are slightly different in size and this persists after the procedure. While you will be slightly swollen following the surgery and it may take several months to see the ultimate result, the results of this surgery are immediate.

Your breast size and shape will continue to be affected by the changes that ageing, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss and weight gain can produce in all women. The results of mastopexy (breast lift) surgery may not be as long lasting in heavier-breasted women.

Dr Lim will monitor your progress carefully and our staff will stay in contact with you during the post-operative period. You will be seen at frequent intervals over the first twelve months.

Your relationship with Dr Lim and the nursing staff does not end once you have had the procedure. If you have any questions or concerns after your operation, you are always welcome to call My Klinik.

Mastopexy (Breast Lift) Video

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Mastopexy (Breast Lift)

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About Dr Jake Lim

Highly qualified and experienced specialist plastic surgeon Dr Jake Lim focuses on facial plastic, cosmetic breast and body contouring after significant weight loss

Dr Lim creates the best possible plastic surgery results for his Australia-wide and international patients.

Dr Lim is passionate about making sure each and every patient has access to the right information about available treatments and procedures and is able to make well-informed decisions.

At My Klinik, patient safety, education and achieving optimal results are our top priorities.

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