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Breast uplift (mastopexy)
Also known as: breast enhancement, boob job, breast augmentation
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Fast referral
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What is it for?
Surgery to enhance and lift the appearance of your breasts
Breast uplift (mastopexy) consultation at The London Clinic
Breast uplift, or mastopexy, is an operation that aims to lift and enhance your breasts. This will improve their overall shape and appearance.
It can be performed with or without implants depending on the look you want to achieve from surgery.
We understand that having a breast uplift is a decision that you may have been considering for a long time and it isn’t one to be taken lightly.
There are many reasons why you may have been thinking about taking that next step.
Life events such as weight loss, pregnancy and breastfeeding, or ageing, can all have an impact on the position of your breasts.
They can cause them to drop and lose volume. Your surgeon can help correct and improve your breasts with an uplift procedure.
FAQs
Breast uplift surgery works by removing excess skin and lifting the breasts for a more youthful and structured look.
On its own, an uplift will add pertness to your breasts without changing their shape. Implants may also be used for extra fullness if you want to increase the size of your breasts.
A mastopexy, or breast lift, is a more extensive surgical procedure than breast augmentation. A traditional boob job generally only involves having implants inserted.
The breast uplift operation itself is carried out under general anaesthetic, while you’re asleep. It will typically last between two and four hours.
During the operation, your surgeon makes incisions following the outline of the areola around the nipple.
Sometimes incisions can be made around the outside of the areola, where it meets the skin of the breast, and then vertically towards the crease.
For larger breasts, further incisions may be made at the side of the breasts to remove excess skin and fatty tissue.
Breast uplift surgery requires more time than an augmentation or breast enlargement. Your procedure will take around two to four hours.
It often requires a two-night stay at our dedicated hospital in London. Your surgeon will be able to advise you on the exact time required at your consultation.
Immediately afterwards, it is completely normal for your breasts to feel sore and tight. This will usually start to improve after the first few hours.
Your care team will be on hand to give you any medication you might need for pain relief. We advise that you wear your post-surgery compression bra to assist with healing.
Usually, you will feel some discomfort during the first week of breast uplift recovery. This can be managed effectively with pain relief medication.
Swelling and bruising to the breasts will start to settle down during this time. Some initial bleeding or leakage is normal, especially if you have had a breast uplift with implants.
We recommend that you simply rest as much as possible, avoiding exercise and generally taking it slow.
You might feel more tired than usual but remember, this is normal so just take it steady. You’ll improve day by day.
You should be able to return to work after the first week. If you have a more physically demanding job, you’ll need three weeks or more at home for the best possible healing.
After a month, the pain, swelling and bruising will generally continue to improve. There may be some tingling sensations and numbness as nerves begin to wake up.
You can resume normal activities, including moderate exercise. Although you should still avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting at this stage, as your breasts continue to heal.
If you’ve had a breast uplift with implants, you’ll usually reach full recovery at around six weeks.
We advise you to wear a sports bra for a minimum of three months following surgery.
As the healing process continues, it can take around six months for the breasts to take on their final shape and appearance.
The exact time it takes you to recover from breast uplift surgery will depend entirely on you. We will help you to prepare for your surgery, so you know exactly what to expect afterwards.
Your surgeon will work with other specialists to give you advice on prehabilitation. This will include things you can do before your operation for a head start on recovery.
We’ll help you recover as fully and quickly as possible by having regular follow-ups with you.
If there’s anything you’re worried about, you can contact your care team at any time.
The benefits you can expect from breast surgery depend on your personal circumstances. Your surgeon will discuss these with you during a consultation.
After receiving feedback from our patients, they often tell us that the benefits of breast uplift surgery include:
- Restored pertness to your breasts after pregnancy or losing weight
- A more youthful look to breasts that have lost volume and elasticity with age
- Improved appearance of your breasts from previous surgeries
Having a breast uplift is not a decision to be taken lightly and it is important to be aware of the possible side effects.
Your surgeon and care team will discuss the possible side effects with you based on your personal circumstances. We will make sure you’re well informed about your surgery before you have it.
The most common temporary side effects of breast uplift surgery are:
- Bruising
- Pain
- Swelling
- Soreness and tenderness
- Some complications of breast uplift surgery can include:
- Changes in your nipple sensation
- Problems with breastfeeding
- Wound infection
- Mastopexy scars
You might have some breast uplift scars from your surgery. And immediately after the surgery, you will find the scars are red, but they should fade to a light pink over 12 months.
Every effort will always be made by your surgeon to keep mastopexy scars to a minimum.
If you chose to have a breast uplift with implants, then it is important for you to be aware of the risk of breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).
This is a rare type of lymphoma that can develop around breast implants. It affects 1 in 24,000 women who have breast implants.
Most cases are treated by removing both the implants. You will be made fully aware of this condition at the consultation.
Our expert surgeons who offer breast surgery have years of experience and extensive training.
Your expert care team will guide you through your treatment and breast uplift recovery plan.
You’ll typically stay with us for one night after your procedure while you recover from the operation.
We offer extra touches, such as personalised food menus, to make your stay as relaxing as possible.
You’ll have your own nurse who’ll help get you feeling like yourself again.
You can also choose additional therapies to help you make the most of your recovery and reduce any discomfort. This includes reiki and acupuncture.
Once you’re ready to leave The London Clinic, we’ll give you advice to follow once you’re home for a speedy recovery.
We’ll promise to keep in contact with you over the following weeks to ensure everything is going smoothly.
Consultants
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Timeline
At The London Clinic, we understand just how daunting breast surgery can feel. Here is what you might expect as one of our patients:
Book an appointment
Our dedicated appointments team will arrange for you to meet with one of our renowned surgeons.
Consultation
You’ll discuss your individual expectations and desired results with your chosen surgeon. They’ll outline all risks associated with your procedure, so you are fully aware of exactly what breast uplift surgery involves. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and see breast uplift before and after pictures. This will give you a good idea of the kind of results that can be achieved from surgery.
Enhanced pre-assessment
We will review your general health for breast uplift surgery. This will help your care team plan your treatment safely.
The day of your operation
You’ll meet your care team who will prepare you for surgery and let you know exactly what to expect throughout the day.
After your operation, your surgeon will check on you and discuss how best to start your breast uplift recovery.
Aftercare
You should be ready to leave the day after your operation. Once you’re home, you’ll have a video check-up with a nurse for dressing changes.
You’ll come back to The London Clinic to have your dressings changed a couple of weeks later.
Follow-up
After six to eight weeks, you’ll have a follow-up with your surgeon to discuss any concerns and ensure that your healing is going as expected.
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
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Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.