Breast Tightening (Mastopexy)
Who is suitable for Mastopexy?
Mastopexy could be suitable for any woman who wants to lift one or both breasts because they are either sagging, un-even or both. The procedure is most common among women who have lost elasticity of the breasts, perhaps through child-birth or age, and where the breasts are sagging.What to expect at the initial consultation
At a first consultation, David Gateley will ask you to tell him in your own words what it is that you wish to change about your appearance. It is important to be honest and forthright as surgery is always tailored to your specific needs and expectations. Do bear in mind, however, that it is not possible to achieve unrealistic expectations.In addition, Mr Gateley will take a full medical history including any previous surgery, cosmetic or non-cosmetic, previous hospitalisation, chronic medial problems, medication and allergies, whether you smoke or not, the reasons for wanting the procedure and your goals and aspirations.
The examination will concentrate on your proposed treatment, but also assess your general fitness and suitability for surgery. Routine photographs will be taken.
Following the assessment, David Gateley will discuss all available options and formulate an operative plan, including type of surgery and anaesthesia to be used, venue for surgery and costs. Any risks and possible complications will also be discussed with you.
It is important that you are clear what your surgery will entail. Well informed patients cope better with surgery and you have the right to ask any question you want and expect your surgeon to answer with honesty and without the use of jargon. Consent for surgery will also be taken.
Where does the treatment take place?
David Gateley can arrange for you to be admitted as an inpatient to either:The London Clinic W1
Parkside Hospital, Wimbledon, SW19
St Anthony’s Hospital, Cheam, Surrey
A Consultant Anaesthetist will meet you prior to surgery. The surgery takes approximately two hours and you will need to stay in hospital overnight.
What can go wrong?
If performed by a fully qualified and accredited Plastic Surgeon in a proper operating theatre under sterile conditions on a relatively fit and healthy patient, mastopexy is a safe procedure. In general, complications are rare. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks and complications and these will be explained to you at your consultation.How long does it take to recover?
You will wake up with a dressing covering both breasts, supporting them securely with a drain inserted and stitched in place on either side.You will need to stay one to two nights in hospital and on the morning after your surgery, Mr Gateley will check your breasts for any collections of blood or any problems with the nipple areola complex. The breasts will be swollen and bruised and may ooze small amounts of blood over the next two to three days. Once you are discharged from hospital, arrangements will be made to return to see our fully qualified Plastic Surgery Dressings Nurse a week after surgery for a wound check, and removal of some of the stitches. At a final wound check after two weeks, any further stitches will be removed, however, most of the stitches used will be dissolvable.
Once the dressings have been reduced, you should wear a sports bra with no under-wiring, as much of the time as possible for the first three to four weeks.
It is advisable to make arrangements for help at home during your convalescence, which should be at least one to two weeks especially if you have young children.
David Gateley can discuss the exact nature
of your treatment, including procedure details, recovery times
and any possible side-effects at a consultation. This will
reflect your exact circumstances and needs. The information
included here is provided for general guidance only.
