Breast lift (mastopexy) in Melbourne

Reshaping the breast you already have

A mastopexy, or breast lift, reshapes the existing breast and moves the nipple and areola to a more suitable position. It may be considered after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss or gradual changes in skin and tissue support. The aim is more than moving the nipple upwards: it is to reshape the breast tissue and bring the skin envelope into better balance with it.

I assess your breast volume, skin quality, breast footprint, nipple position, asymmetry and the amount of upper-breast fullness you would like. These details determine whether a lift alone is enough. An implant is not a necessary part of mastopexy. If you are comfortable with your breast volume, reshaping your own tissue may be the more appropriate plan.

Choosing the operation and its scars

A vertical or “lollipop” pattern places a scar around the areola and down to the breast crease. A Wise-pattern or “anchor” lift adds a scar in the crease and is often useful when there is more skin to remove or more extensive reshaping is needed. The choice is a trade-off between the amount of reshaping required and the scars that make it possible. The operation may use a superomedial pedicle, or another technique, to maintain blood supply and sensation to the nipple while repositioning it.

Some patients want additional upper-breast fullness. Fat grafting may provide a modest change in selected patients, but the amount retained is variable and more than one procedure may be needed. An implant offers a different kind of volume increase and introduces implant-specific risks and future maintenance. We can also discuss staging a lift and augmentation when doing both together would be less predictable.

Mastopexy with or without augmentation at the same operation

A breast lift can be performed without implants when reshaping your existing breast tissue will address your goals. If you also want a meaningful increase in volume or upper-breast fullness, we can consider a lift with an implant at the same operation, known as augmentation mastopexy.

Combining the two requires careful planning: the lift reduces the skin envelope while the implant adds volume and weight. I assess the skin quality, available tissue, nipple movement, implant dimensions and tension on the closure. A simultaneous operation can be appropriate in selected patients, but a staged approach may be preferable when substantial lifting is needed or the tissues have limited support.

An implant introduces additional risks, including capsular contracture, rupture, malposition, rippling and future revision. Combining a lift and augmentation can also increase the complexity of wound healing and blood supply to the nipple. We compare a lift alone, simultaneous augmentation mastopexy and staged surgery in relation to your anatomy and priorities. You can read more on the breast augmentation page .

Breast lift after significant weight loss

After weight loss, breast volume and skin support can change by different amounts. A patient may have enough remaining breast tissue for reshaping but a much larger skin envelope. In that situation, I consider how to redistribute the existing tissue before recommending an implant. Where there is too little tissue to provide the fullness you want, we discuss that limitation openly.

Through my work with the bariatric and weight management team at Specialist Surgical Group, breast surgery can be considered alongside weight stability, nutritional preparation and other planned body contouring. We can discuss whether a breast lift should be performed with abdominoplasty or at a separate stage. Tissue quality, operating time and your ability to manage recovery all contribute to that decision.

Recovery, limits and risks

Mastopexy is performed under general anaesthesia. You should expect swelling, bruising, discomfort, dressings or a support bra, restrictions on lifting and exercise, and follow-up as the wounds heal. The time you need away from work varies with your job and the extent of surgery. Scars remain permanent and mature gradually.

Risks include bleeding, infection, wound breakdown (particularly where scars meet), altered nipple or breast sensation, changes to breastfeeding ability, asymmetry, fat necrosis, conspicuous scars and, rarely, blood-supply problems affecting the nipple or skin. Breast shape also changes over time with gravity, pregnancy, weight change and tissue quality. Surgery can improve asymmetry, but cannot make two breasts identical or return stretched tissues to their original biology.

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