Generality
Mastopexy is the cosmetic surgery, practiced to correct breast ptosis in women. Breast ptosis is the so-called sagging breast.
There are various surgical techniques for performing a breast lift. Depending on the technique adopted, the operating surgeon will incise the breast in a different way.
After the mastopexy surgery, there is a period of hospitalization lasting a few days.
During this time, the medical staff monitors the patient's condition at regular intervals, making sure that everything is going smoothly.
Breast lift is a "major surgery operation, so it is not free from risks and complications.
What is breast lift?
Breast lift, commonly called breast lift, is the cosmetic surgery mainly aimed at correcting breast ptosis, that is, the sagging, with subsequent downward displacement, of the female breast.
REVIEW OF BREAST PTOSIS?
Breast ptosis is a natural consequence of aging, to which various factors can contribute, including:
- Cigarette smoke;
- A large number of pregnancies;
- The constant practice of physical activities that cause the breasts to move in multiple dimensions of space;
- A high body mass index;
- The sudden and marked loss or gain of weight.
The breasts of women who develop breast ptosis change in at least 3 points of view: in position, volume and size.
Breast ptosis causes no symptoms and is not life-threatening. However, it is still a condition of considerable medical interest, as its appearance involves a certain aesthetic discomfort in several women.
Cosmetic surgeons measure the severity of breast ptosis in 4 degrees: grade I, grade II, grade III and grade IV. Grade I corresponds to episodes of mild breast ptosis; grade II to episodes of moderate breast ptosis; grade III to episodes of advanced breast ptosis; finally, grade IV for episodes of severe breast ptosis.
Indications
Since breast lift is a rather complex and risk-free procedure, cosmetic surgeons recommend it only for women with moderate (grade II) or higher breast ptosis. In the presence of mild (grade I) breast ptosis, it is not worthwhile to subject an individual to such a potentially dangerous surgery.
Preparation
Breast lift is a major surgery, therefore it requires special preparation.
Generally, this preparation includes a specialist consultation, a series of clinical tests to assess the patient's state of health and, finally, once the suitability for the intervention has been ascertained, a series of important recommendations.
PRE-OPERATIVE SPECIALIST CONSULTATION
The pre-operative specialist consultation is a very important moment of the preparatory phase, because, on this occasion, the cosmetic surgeon:
- Analyzes the characteristics of the hypothetical patient's breast, also prescribing a mammogram;
- Evaluate the extent of breast ptosis, establishing if there are really the conditions for operating a breast lift;
- He exposes the intervention method to the hypothetical patient (from what is the operative technique to the possible complications, etc.).
The specialist consultation in question is also a useful moment for the patient, as the latter can remove any doubts regarding any unclear aspects of the procedure.
From the specialist consultation, the cosmetic surgeon understands if there are the basis for making a mastopexy.
PRE-OPERATIVE CLINICAL EXAMINATIONS
If the conditions for a mastopexy are met, about a week after the operation, the patient must go to the hospital, where the operation will take place, to undergo a series of clinical examinations.
These clinical examinations - also known as pre-operative examinations - are used by the operating surgeon to ensure that there are no contraindications to a surgical operation. The classic pre-operative tests include: blood tests, urinalysis, electrocardiograms and blood pressure measurements.
PRE-OPERATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
First, the future patient must:
- Stop smoking if you are a smoker. Cigarette smoking promotes the onset of infections where there are surgical wounds. It also impairs the blood supply to the skin and this slows down the healing process.
Generally, doctors advise to stop smoking at least two weeks before the operation and, if the patient wants to start again, to start again only after two weeks from the operation; - Discontinue any intake of antiplatelet drugs (aspirin) and anticoagulants (warfarin). This pre-operative indication is explained by the fact that the aforementioned drugs "dilute the blood" and therefore represent a factor favoring bleeding.
From the wounds of the mastopexy, a loss of blood is expected, which, if the aforementioned drugs are taken, can be conspicuous and dangerous for the patient's health; - Warn medical personnel of any allergies to those drugs (painkillers, sedatives, anesthetics, etc.), which could be used during breast lift surgery.
Breast lift is an operation that requires "general anesthesia. In order for general anesthesia to not lead to complications, it is essential that the patient, on the day of the operation, has been in complete fasting for at least the previous evening. For complete fasting, yes" means the abstention from food and drinks other than water; the latter is allowed up to a few hours after the procedure.
